LSU vs. Alabama - 2012 BCS Championship Game Preview

The SEC has been the dominant conference in football for the last five years. The BCS championship game this year between LSU and Alabama will continue that trend. Not only are both teams from the SEC, both come out of the West division.

Controversy

The BCS championship is a controversial subject to say the least as many feel a playoff format would produce a more credible champion. This years game is already adding to the controversy since LSU already met and beat Alabama this year. Not only did LSU beat Alabama, but they did it at Alabama. If LSU loses this championship game, it is hard to see how Alabama can claim the championship given that the teams will each have a victory over the other. Nonetheless, the game is going to happen so letís take a look at the teams.

LSU

LSU has clearly been the best team in the nation this year. Led by Les Miles, the team has overcome their starting quarterback being suspended for the first part of the season while playing one of the most difficult opening schedules in the season. LSU beat the then 3rd ranked Oregon Ducks, 25th ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs and #16 West Virginia Mountaineers in three out of their first four games with all of them being road games. LSU would go on to beat eight top 25 teams in producing its perfect 13-0 record, including the road win over Alabama. Any way you cut it, it was a dominant season.

The stats for the team back up its dominance. Historically, the defense leads the way at LSU and the 2011 team was no different. It is allowing only 10.5 points a game on average, the second lowest in the nation. Offense is a different story. LSU is tough, but not dynamic. They rank 105 overall in passing at 160 yards a game and 17th in rushing at 215 yards a game. Fortunately, the teamís defense is so good that their offensive shortcomings often donít matter. The team also has excellent special teams with returner Tyrann Mathieu a threat to return a punt for a touchdown at any time.

Alabama

Alabama is pretty much a mirror of LSU. The team is led by a dominant defense and run heavy offense. The team comes in ranked number one in total points allowed at 8.8 a game. On offense, it has the 15th ranked rushing attack at 219 yards a game with Heisman hopeful Trent Richardson leading the way and the 72nd ranked passing attack at 213 yards a game. These numbers are better than LSU in every area, if only slightly so. Given this, why isnít Alabama the favorite in this game? It all comes down to scheduling.

To put it bluntly, Alabama played only one real threat this year ñ LSU. It was a home game and Alabama lost in overtime 9-6. Other than this game, Alabama only played four other top 25 teams and most of those games were against patsies such as a 6-6 Florida and offensively challenged Penn State. The only team that legitimately had a chance to beat Alabama going into a game other than LSU was Arkansas, and the Razorbacks collapsed when they played any top teams.

Outcome

The major concern going into the BCS Championship Game is it will be a boring defensive struggle. The fact LSU beat Alabama 9-6 in their previous game tells you all you need to know. These teams are defensive giants and offensive minnows. Fortunately, the fact nearly fifty days will have passed since the end of the season will give the teams plenty of time to scheme out some unique offensive plays to spice up the game.

So, who wins?

The answer is LSU. Theyíve been the best team all year long. They already beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa and this game isnít going to be in Alabama. Ultimately, LSU has too many playmakers. It will be close, but take LSU to win with a score of 17-13.