Haters of the mighty SEC will lash out at anyone calling this Saturday’s Alabama-LSU game the real BCS national championship, but that’s exactly what it amounts to.
An objective observer will tell you that the Crimson Tide and Tigers are clearly the best two teams in the nation, and it’s not even close.
Sure, some will talk about Oklahoma State’s high octane offense and others will point out that Stanford has the nation’s best quarterback in Andrew Luck.
There may even be a few people who want to put Boise State among the teams that can play with Alabama and LSU, but that’s a pipe dream wrapped in a fantasy.
The fact is, Alabama and LSU are so much better than any other team in the country it’s not worth the time trying to debate it.
Regardless of which team survives the Crimson Tide-Tigers showdown on Saturday, the winner will be huge favorites to win the SEC’s sixth straight BCS national championship.
Once an opponent for Alabama or LSU is determined, ESPN and sports columnists around the nation will do everything they can to hype the national championship game on January 9, 2012 in New Orleans.
There will be countless hours spent over analyzing every aspect of the teams, but what it all boils down to are the same things that have been deciding the outcomes of games since football was invented.
Everyone’s heard the expression that offense sells tickets but defense wins championships. The Crimson Tide and Tigers epitomize that philosophy.
Alabama has the nation’s best defense, allowing only 180.5 yards per game. LSU has the nation’s fourth best defense, giving up 251.4 yards per game.
Stopping your opponent from running the ball is the first step towards becoming a championship caliber team, but your offense has to run the ball effectively as well.
That’s not a problem for LSU or Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s and Tigers’ ability to run the football allows them to control the clock and wear down opposing defenses.
Alabama averages 229 yards a game on the ground and LSU averages 189 yards per game.
Finally, if a team is going to win a national championship they must limit their turnovers.
The Crimson Tide and Tigers know how to protect the football. LSU has turned the ball over only three times this season while Alabama has just eight turnovers.
So let’s review. Alabama and LSU can stop opponent’s running game. Check. The Crimson Tide and Tigers can run the football. Check. Both teams limit their turnovers. Check.
Oh, and there’s also that little thing called talent. Since 2008, Alabama and LSU have finished in the top 10 among the nation’s best recruiting classes.
Any questions? Didn’t think so.
When you’re watching Alabama and LSU tussle in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, all you need to know is this: the team that wins will eventually be the BCS national champions.
The end.
[...] The Film Room: South Carolina Love them or hate them, SEC referees familiar with controversy alabama-lsu-game-is-the- real-bcs-national- championship/ “Fear the Pants” flash mob at South Carolina-Tennessee game, featuring Johnny Majors. [...]