Miles' Alabama comment causes stir

• By SCOTT RABALAIS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jul 22, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Sunday, he probably ensured that he will be a prime topic of conversation.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 500 LSU fans in a Tiger Tour stop at the Hilton Riverside hotel in New Orleans, Miles made an offhand comment regarding LSU’s victory over Alabama last season.

Miles’ Tigers beat the Crimson Tide, coached last season for the first time by former LSU coach Nick Saban, 41-34 in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers went on to win the BCS national championship.

According to The Times-Picayune of New Orleans, Miles cautioned LSU fans “not to make too much of that game, as it seems like a lot of teams in Louisiana beat that team.”

Miles’ reference was to Alabama’s 21-14 loss to Louisiana-Monroe last year, two weeks after falling to LSU. The defeats were part of a four-game losing streak to end the regular season for the Crimson Tide, which finished 7-6 after an Independence Bowl victory over Colorado.

Miles’ comment was already the talk of local sports radio in Birmingham, two days in advance of his appearance with center Brett Helms and defensive end Tyson Jackson at SEC media days in suburban Hoover.

Saban and Alabama players will make their appearance at media days Thursday.

Alabama plays at LSU on Nov. 8 this season.