The Joe Burrow & Drew Brees Connection That Involves Nick Saban

This isn't the start to a joke. What do Drew Brees and Joe Burrow have in common in relation to Nick Saban?

There's a connection here, hang on.

First, yes, it has to do with Burrow and his LSU team's 46-41 victory over Alabama. Second, it will have to do with Drew Brees' college career. The stat connection comes to us from ESPN writer Bill Barnwell, who pulled the trigger on this Tweet during the game

That game on October 16th 1999 was a home game for Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the final score was 52-28. Brees and his Boilermakers put up 35 points at half time, after racking up 21 in the first quarter alone. Brees accounted for all three of those first quarter touchdowns, on his way to a 5 passing touchdown, 1 rushing touchdown, and 509 passing yard day. However Brees did throw 4 interceptions that day.

It was a pretty impressive game against a Michigan State team that came into West Lafayette undefeated. Saban had just lead his Spartans to a win over their rival Michigan, who had been ranked #3 in the country. Saban's defense had held everyone but Michigan to 20 points or less, with Michigan scoring 31.

That year's Michigan State team went on to win 10 games, including a Citrus Bowl win over Florida. But Saban wasn't the coach in that bowl game though, because he took the LSU Head Coach position in early December.

Tonight, Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow was able to join some elite company with Drew Brees, when he got his LSU team out to a 33-13 halftime lead over Saban and Alabama.

Burrow ended the night with a victory over Saban, like Brees did, after going 31 for 39 with 393 yards, 3 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Burrow also rushed for 64 yards, including some runs that kept LSU on top all night.

Does this mean that Burrow is destined for the same success that Drew Brees has experienced in his career? Absolutely not. Don't read too much into it, it's just a fun stat at the expense of Nick Saban.