This year’s BCS National Championship game pits two teams out of the same side of the same conference that have already played eachother this year – LSU and Alabama. LSU was college football’s only undefeated team, including winning the SEC Championship game, while Alabama lost just the one game (to LSU).
No matter what you may think of the system, there is some or little argument that LSU and Alabama have proved themselves to be two of the best, if not the best, teams in the nation at the end of a wild 2011 season. And these two longtime rivals get a rare rematch for a national title. While the first meeting was in Tuscaloosa, this one will be in New Orleans the Tigers’ adopted home.
This should make for a very interesting end to an entertaining bowl season, and a college-football campaign overall.
LSU has won the last seven meetings between these two storied programs, including the 9-6 win in Tuscaloosa and a 24-21 win in Baton Rouge a year ago.
The latest BCS Championship odds list Alabama as a 2-point favorite, while the total has been set for 41 points.
Alabama
After the epic 9-6 home loss to LSU, the Crimson Tide finished the regular season with three straight wins, outscoring the opponents 111-42. The Tide has allowed fewer than 10 points seven times in 12 games. Alabama is 5-0 away from home this year and is coming off a 42-14 Iron Bowl win over Auburn.
Alabama enters the game with the nation’s top defensive unit (9 points per game) and allows 191 yards per game (116 passing, 75 rushing) while recording 26 sacks and forced 18 turnovers four of which were returned for touchdowns (DeMarcus Milliner, DeQuan Menzie and Courtney Upshaw, interceptions).
Dont’a Hightower leads this unit with 81 tackles, while Upshaw leads the squad with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Milliner has three interceptions and Dre Kirkpatrick has two forced fumbles.
Offensively, Alabama ranks 16th nationally in scoring (36 ppg) while compiling 433 yards per game (220 rushing, 213 passing).
Trent Richardson anchors the running game with 1,583 yards and 20 TDs on 6.0 yards per carry, while Eddy Lacy adds 631 yards and seven TDs on 7.5 ypc. A.J. McCarron has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions, while the offensive line allowed 15 sacks. Marquis Maze is the top pass-catcher with 56 receptions (29 more than anyone else) for 627 yards and a TD.
LSU
The Tigers finished the regular season as the only unbeaten team in college football, and their difficult schedule made the feat all the more impressive. They defeated Alabama, of course, and won their last four games by a combined 177-39.
The Tigers field the 2nd-best scoring defense in the nation (10 ppg), ranking only behind Alabama, and allows 252 yards per game (167 passing, 85 rushing) while compiling 37 sacks and forcing 30 turnovers six of which were returned for TDs (Morris Claiborne and Ron Brooks, three interceptions; Tyrann Mathieu and Kevin Minter, three fumbles).
Mathieu paces the defense with 70 tackles, six forced fumbles and five recoveries, while Sam Montgomery has recorded nine sacks and Barkevious Mingo added eight. Claiborne is one of the top pickoff artists in the nation with six interceptions.
The Tigers rank 12th in the country offensively (38 ppg) while recording 375 yards of offense per game (215 rushing, 160 passing).
Michael Ford and Spencer Ware lead the rushing attack with a combined 1,455 yards and 15 TDs on 4.7 yards per carry. Jordan Jefferson has completed 60 percent of his passes for 684 yards and six TDs with just one interception, while the offensive line has allowed 14 sacks. Reuben Randle is the top receiving target with 50 catches for 904 yards and eight TDs.
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BCS Championship Free Pick: Alabama -2
I trust Nick Saban more than Les Miles, and I think Saban will have his team ready for this one. Alabama outgained LSU in the first meeting, and they only lost because of kicking issues. Look for Trent Richardson to have a better game today. I think Alabama wins another very hard fought tight battle between these two SEC rivals.
My BCS Championship Total DOMINATION play is all set for this game. 20-10 in my last 30 NCAA FB plays. Finish the season strong! Also, be sure to sign up for my free newsletter in the upper right of this page for free premium picks throughout the year!
