What has Garrett Nussmeier Learned in Two Career Games Against Alabama?

LSU Tiger quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has made two career appearances against the Alabama Crimson Tide. In 2023, he entered the game for an injured Jayden Daniels. Nussmeier's day wasn't the prettiest, completing 5/10 passes for 53 yards.

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His second appearance against Alabama came in 2024. The Tigers were on the verge of a College Football Playoff berth before then-No. 11 Alabama defeated the Tigers 42-13 in Baton Rouge. Nussmeier had a forgettable day, completing 27/42 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions and was sacked twice.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly said he expects Nussmeier to take a Jayden Daniels-like jump from year one as a starter to year two. To do so, Nussmeier will likely have to compete with the Crimson Tide. What did he learn from two career games playing against the Tide, and last season against Kane Wommack's defense?

"I spent a lot of time in Bryant-Denny [Stadium] as a kid, and I had some memories there. I didn't feel like the moment was too big," Nussmeier said of making an appearance at Alabama in 2023. "It's kind of like when we played Florida, having those experiences at those places, I've trained on those fields, I've played on those fields before. So it wasn't too big of a moment. Definitely - as far as the X's and O's - there were some learning experiences in that game, being young and making mistakes, also doing some things well and learning from those, but very excited to get back there again. Still got a lot of friends in Tuscaloosa, so anytime we get to go back to a place we lived, it's pretty special, so very excited."

Nussmeier's dad, Doug Nussmeier, was the offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2012 and 2013, helping the Tide secure a national championship during the 2012 season. Garrett Nussmeier was 10 years old when his dad was at Alabama.

"Obviously, Alabama is a really good football team," Nussmeier said on playing the Tide again in 2025. "Anytime we get an LSU-Alabama matchup, it's gonna be a heavyweight fight. It doesn't matter what each team's records are. No matter what it looks like at that point in the season, it's gonna be a tough one. We approach it just as we do anyone, though. At the end of the day, it's a football game, playing a faceless opponent, and so that's just kind of the mindset."

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Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.