Alabama Leaves No Doubt: LSU Mauled In BCS Championship, 21-0

LSU's SEC Championship Rings Boast No. 2 Status

Jordan Jefferson 'Probably Would've Changed' Title Game Offense If He Could've

PHOTO: SEC Does All Your Trolling For You

LSU's DeAngelo Peterson Still Baffled By Championship Game Offense

PHOTO: Nick Saban Statue Gains First Interpunct

Les Miles Denies Arguing With Players Before BCS Title Game

Would You Like To See Lots Of Alabama Fans Pose Next To The National Title Trophy?

The Most Alabama Thing Of The Day

BCS Championship 2012: Ratings For Alabama-LSU Lowest Ever

The nation largely ignored a rematch of SEC foes, giving the BCS national championship its lowest overnight rating ever.

BCS National Championship Game: LSU's Jordan Jefferson Says He Made 'Great Decisions'

LSU Tigers quarterback Jordan Jefferson did not have a good game in the BCS National Championship. He regularly got happy feet in the pocket, took bad sacks, and he had one extremely comical interception. Generally, when quarterbacks have games in which they do all of these things, they are aware that there is a problem. They then do their best to correct that problem.

Jordan Jefferson is not one of those quarterbacks. He doesn't even know that there was a problem. Don't believe me?

"I was seeing things clearly. Making decisions with the ball wasn't an issue. Other than that, I made great decisions with the ball. Offensively, we just fell short."

Here is an example of one of Jefferson's good decisions with the ball.

Jefferson turned the ball over twice, ran for 15 yards and threw for 53 yards in LSU's loss.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Alabama Wins The National Title

Alabama dominated LSU on Monday, winning the Crimson Tide a 14th National Championship in a game that was... Well, it was certainly something. Not necessarily something we want to remember. But still something!

The Fun In Funeral: 2011 College Football's Dark New Orleans Sendoff

Spencer Hall attends a funeral in New Orleans, the only possible final resting place for the 2011 college football season.

Alabama Football Dominates LSU: QB A.J. McCarron, Kicker Jeremy Shelley Discuss BCS Victory

First-year starting quarterback A.J. McCarron and the kicking game were supposed to be the Alabama Crimson Tide's biggest hurdles to a national championship. The LSU Tigers and the Tide were all but inseparable in most areas of the field, but LSU had more experience and pure playmaking ability at the QB position, while their special teams were supposedly much better than Alabama's.

Jeremy Shelley and fellow kicker Cade Foster combined for four field goals in the BCS National Championship game, making up for their poor performances in Alabama's loss to LSU earlier in the season. Head Coach Nick Saban was very pleased with his kickers, who helped guide Alabama to a win.

"Jeremy did a great job in the game. We have a lot of confidence in Jeremy. He doesn't have great range, but when we get it down there by the 25-yard line he does a pretty good job for the most part. We got one blocked and he pushed one to the right a little bit. But we're just going to keep on giving him opportunities, and I think he did a great job."

While the kickers redeemed themselves, McCarron did much more than that, and his play was perhaps the biggest story of the game. Though he did not throw a touchdown pass, he made a number of big plays to move the Alabama offense down the field and into field goal range, even when the LSU defense was doing a good job of containing Trent Richardson. McCarron was humble, praising Richardson and the coaching staff for their role in the win when asked about his performance.

"We've been leaning on No. 3 [Richardson] all year. He's our workhorse. I mean, he's our main guy ... I don't think I did anything special, really. I mean, I always bust my butt in the film room. I mean, it helps when you got a little longer, you can study them a lot more. But I bust my butt in there, and I know everything they want to do. Certain downs and distances. But that goes back to our coaching staff. We have the best coaching staff in the country."

Alabama are losing Richardson and a number of key defensive pieces, but Nick Saban will be happy that he doesn't have to worry about his quarterback or kicking game going into next season.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

BCS Championship, Alabama Vs. LSU: The Numbers That Mattered From Tide's Domination

The numbers that mattered in Alabama football's 21-0 destruction of LSU in Monday night's BCS Championship game, from LSU's Spike Factor, to Alabama's tight ends, to one final Warlord-and-Koko B. Ware reference.

2012 BCS National Championship, LSU Vs. Alabama: Crimson Tide Wins Second BCS Title In Three Years

The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide got five field goals from Jeremy Shelley and the defense kept the No. 1-ranked LSU Tigers off the scoreboard to lay claim to the 2012 BCS National Championship with a 21-0 win at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Monday night.

For head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama program, it is the second national title in the last three seasons. Saban is now the only head coach with three BCS titles, with his two with Alabama joining the one he won with LSU in 2003.

"That was the message before the game: to finish," Saban said. "In fact, it was how bad do you want to finish? We certainly didn't play a perfect game, we got a field goal blocked, we couldn't find the end zone for a long time, but we just kept playing."

A swarming Crimson Tide defense led by linebacker (and defensive MVP) Courtney Upshaw limited the Tigers to just 92 yards of total offense and five first downs, preventing LSU's offense from crossing midfield until the fourth quarter. The shutout was the first in 14-year history of the BCS and the first in a national championship game since Miami shutout Nebraska in 1992.

Sophomore quarterback A.J. McCarron earned offensive Most Valuable Player honors after completing 23-of-34 pass attempts for 234 yards with zero turnovers and the Alabama running game pounded the Tigers front seven for 150 clock-controlling rushing yards, including 96 yards and a 34-yard touchdown run that sealed the game with 4:36 to play.

Like most of the Tigers, quarterback Jordan Jefferson struggled on Monday night, completing 11-of-17 pass attempts for just 53 yards. Jefferson also tossed an interception on a shovel pass inside his own 30-yard line. The Crimson Tide was all over the Tigers' option running game as Jefferson finished with just 15 rushing yards. Jefferson's legs were the reason while LSU head coach Les Miles did not make a quarterback change.

"We felt like with Jefferson's feet and the ability to get out of the rush, that it was fair that he finished," Miles said. "He certainly had a tremendously strong year in any regard. Boy, we wanted to finish this one. It's hard to finish a season that was so successful this way."

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

VIDEO: Bobby Hebert's Epic Rant During Les Miles' Press Conference

College Football Rankings: Final AP Poll Features Alabama On Top

College Football Rankings: Final Coaches Poll Features 4 SEC Teams In Top 8

PHOTOS: ESPN's Alabama Helmets Closely Tracking All-Time Tide Titles

BCS National Championship 2012: Courtney Upshaw, A.J. McCarron Named MVPs

The 2012 BCS National Championship has finished, with the Alabama Crimson Tide winning 21-0 over the LSU Tigers. The Alabama defense completely shut down LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and the LSU offense, but one player in particular had a great night defensively.

Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw was named the defensive MVP of the game thanks to his ability to completely sniff out the LSU option and shut it down. Upshaw also was masterful in sniffing out run plays and putting pressure on Jefferson when he dropped back to pass.

Upshaw seemed surprised when he was named the winner and immediately shared credit with all of his defensive teammates. "Yes sir, the entire defense," he said as he accepted the award, quickly handing it off to his teammates. "That's why I'ma pass this on to my whole defense. Touch that thing folk. Leggo! Roll Tide, baby!"

While the offense was slow to get started, quarterback A.J. McCarron was able to efficiently moving the football down the field. McCarron didn't get the Tide in the endzone, but he was able to avoid mistakes and move the chains, picking up 234 yards in the air passing the football and some yards on the ground when LSU put pressure on him. For that, McCarron was awarded the offensive MVP of the game.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

ANIMATED: Trent Richardson Hugs An Elephant

BCS National Championship Game Final Score: Alabama Adds Yet Another Title

Count 'em however you like, Alabama Crimson Tide fans, but the 2012 media guide's getting another one. The BCS National Championship Game ended with an unquestionable, uncontestable 21-0 slaughtering of the LSU Tigers by the best college football team in the country.

All talk of a split national championship was buried beneath Alabama's defense and left for dead by Trent Richardson's 34-yard touchdown, the first end zone arrival between these two since 2010.

It was supposed to be another defensive slugout, but Alabama racked up a substantial 381 yards. LSU, however, did not do its part, tallying a meager 92 yards -- 249 fewer than FCS Georgia Southern put on Alabama.

Though their records are now the same, and they've split the season series between each other, and LSU won the SEC by crushing Georgia, and LSU's schedule was tougher, it doesn't matter. Not at all. Alabama is the best team in the nation. Jordan Jefferson was completely bewildered, so if we'd like to hold out the notion that Jarrett Lee might've been able to get anything done, let's recall he threw two picks to this same defense earlier in the year.

The worst college football season ever ends with the country's most zealous sports fans enjoying a title, and in a year in which their state was hammered by tragedy before the season began. For the third year in a row, the state of Alabama takes the crown.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

VIDEO: Trent Richardson's Touchdown Run Ruins 2012 BCS National Championship Game Field Goal Fiesta

It took until the fourth quarter of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, but a touchdown has been scored in the epic clashes between Alabama and LSU that have been the two most pivotal games of the 2011 college football season. It should be no surprise that it was scored by Trent Richardson, the finest offensive player on either team.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Richardson, the 2011 Doak Walker Award winner, bounced an inside carry to the sideline, burst around left end with but a few minutes left in what looks to be a runaway Alabama victory, and raced 34 yards to paydirt. The run was the longest play of the night by either team, and staked Alabama to a 21-0 advantage.

And then, on the extra point, Jeremy Shelley hit the right upright, leaving the score at that number. If the score remains 21-0 to the end of the game, Alabama players will almost certainly tell their grandchildren that the Crimson Tide scored three touchdowns en route to this national title.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Alabama Vs. LSU Game Update: Fourth Quarter Lead Looks Enormous For Tide

At this point, it looks like not even Tyrann Mathieu can spark the LSU Tigers into a comeback win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. According to the story line, Bama would finally punt to Mathieu late in the game, he'd run it back for a touchdown, and LSU would pull a victory out of nowhere.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Not this time, though. Mathieu barely even had a chance to field his first crack at the ball, digging it up off a bounce in traffic. He was swarmed, and there went LSU's best chance of scoring on the day. Not even joking. That was their best chance of scoring.

Kenny Hilliard nearly responded with LSU's most encouraging offensive effort of the night, grazing the 50-yard line for the first time all game. Jefferson broke a scramble through a blitz and all the way to the 33-yard line.

Facing a third-and-18, Jefferson took a shot from Vinnie Sunseri while nearly striking Jarvis Landry for what could've been a touchdown. On fourth down, Dont'a Hightower peeled the ball loose, and that's probably ball game. Six minutes.

Was THIS Jefferson's last play?

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game Live Updates: Alabama First True Three-And-Out Comes In Fourth Quarter

Down 15-0 in the fourth quarter of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, one of the few routes to a national championship left for LSU would seem to be allowing its playmaking defense to change the game. Kevin Minter made a play, but it likely wasn't the play.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Minter steamed through a hole on a third down for Alabama and brought down Crimson Tide field general A.J. McCarron for a big loss, forcing the first three-and-out leading to a punt on this Monday night. Minter could have done LSU's moribund offense a huge favor by stripping the ball on the play, but failed to do so, with McCarron clutching it for dear life.

And so LSU's offense is left to make headway against a fearsome Alabama defense on its own.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Alabama Closing In On National Championship Game Win, LSU Helpless

Believe it or not, the LSU Tigers sent Jordan Jefferson back out at quarterback late in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide. After throwing an interception and doing little else otherwise, Jefferson looked down the Superdome field with a true two-score deficit -- like, it almost looked like Alabama scored a touchdown somewhere in there!

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

With 59 yards at the beginning of the drive, LSU needed an unprecedented big play just to cut the game's 15-0 lead in halfish. Kenny Hilliard mustered a first down, just the third of the game for the Tigers, which was a start.

But that's where it ended. Nick Gentry blasted through the line to stuff J.C. Copeland's fourth-down attempt on the next third, and Brad Wing sent the ball into Alabama's 20. Only 13 minutes remained, and nary a player on LSU's sideline looks convinced they can pull this off.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game Live Updates: Jeremy Shelley Hits Fourth Field Goal, A.J. McCarron Makes Great Escape

Jeremy Shelley may well be the MVP of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, though A.J. McCarron would give him a run for his money. Both made big plays on a third quarter drive that extended Alabama's lead to 15-0.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Shelley's big play was a 45-yard field goal, a career long, that ended the drive, and makes him four-for-six from distance. But McCarron set it up with a great escape from what looked like a sack and a massive loss on the third down that preceded it.

McCarron has thrown for 234 yards on the night, and made no significant mistakes, which is essentially what Alabama's game plan has asked him to do. But that escape, which allowed Shelley to extend the Crimson Tide's lead to two full touchdowns, may well be the finest thing he will do in this game.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

ANIMATED: C.J. Mosley Injury Follows Huge Interception

You might not want to watch this leg injury suffered by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley in the third quarter against the LSU Tigers. After taking advantage of a bizarre decision by Tigers quarterback Jordan Jefferson, Mosley was rolled up during the tackle, with his ankle taking a horrible angle beneath him.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Here's the GIF:

Mosley, a sophomore, had 34 tackles and two sacks on the season coming into this game. He's had 13 total tackles in his last two SEC games, with a pair the first time Alabama faced LSU.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game: Alabama Goes Three And Out, Misses Field Goal

Finally, a break for LSU in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game: not only did its defense hold against Alabama's offense despite terrible field position created by an incredibly bad decision by Jordan Jefferson, but Jeremy Shelley missed his second field goal of the night, leaving the score just 12-0 in Alabama's favor.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Alabama ran the ball on the first down of the drive, rare on this night, and got nothing on it, in keeping with LSU's defense playing well against the Crimson Tide running game. That led to a rare misfire from A.J. McCarron on third and long, and Shelley was forced to try a 41-yard field goal.

He pushed it wide right, and is now three-for-five on field goals on the night.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

ANIMATED: Jordan Jefferson Interception Could Mean Jarrett Lee Time

This might be the play that seals the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. LSU Tigers quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who's looked helpless all night long, was picked off by Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker C.J. Mosley. Now the Tide have the chance to extend the score as high as ... Heavens, hold us ... 15-0 late in the third quarter.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

It was an ugly, ugly pass, too. Some would say Gunslinger-esque.

Spencer Ware was barely even aware the ball was coming his way, nor was he prepared for it to totally not come his way. Jefferson was at least able to make the tackle on the day, but that might be it for his contributions in this game.

Could backup Jarrett Lee make up for his two-interception performance against Bama the first time around? He's warming up on the sidelines at the moment.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

BCS National Championship Game 2012 Live Updates: Alabama Winning Battle Of Punts, Field Goals

The 2012 BCS National Championship Game has become a game of short drives and Alabama field goals, and the Crimson Tide got another one midway through the third quarter, despite A.J. McCarron finding Kevin Norwood for 26 yards to begin it.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Alabama hasn't been made to go three and out yet, but even the Crimson Tide's bad drives are working out: McCarron's throw to Norwood allowed the Tide to get near midfield, meaning that even the eventual punt was a chance to flip the field on LSU.

That punt turned into a touchback, much to Dre Kirkpatrick's chagrin, but asking LSU's offense to go 80 yards against Alabama's defense tonight may be too much to ask.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Alabama Vs. LSU Game Update: Fair Catch Penalty Hurts Tigers

Down by seven safeties, the LSU Tigers came out aggressive on their first drive of the second half. Jordan Jefferson fired somewhat deep to Odell Beckham, but Robert Lester was able to get involved and foul things up. It could've been a touchdown, though.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

The same matchup worked in LSU's favor on the next play, though. Beckham caught a 19-yarder while settling in on the outskirts of Lester's zone. Nothing much came of it, though, with Courtney Upshaw sacking Jefferson to make it third-and-long.

You'd be shocked to learn Jefferson wasn't able to make much happen on third-and-long. He scrambled for some yardage, but Brad Wing once again had to come out to do this thing.

The Alabama Crimson Tide got the ball back at their own 10-yard line, but a fair catch interference penalty on Ron Brooks gave Bama relatively good field position. This right here could end it, folks.

(And, yes, he did wave for the fair catch.)

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

VIDEO: Halftime Contest Kicker May Have Earned Alabama Scholarship

2012 BCS National Championship Game: Alabama Enjoying Field Goal Festival, Leads 12-0

At this rate, the Alabama Crimson Tide might get to 21 points in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game against LSU on threes alone. Alabama keeps connecting from deep rather than scoring touchdowns, and Jeremy Shelley's field goal to cap its first drive of the second half produced a 12-0 lead.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

As was the case in the first half, Alabama's passing game is allowing it to move the ball nearly at will against LSU. A.J. McCarron found Darius Hanks and Kenny Bell on that first drive to get the Crimson Tide into field goal range, and has thrown for 206 yards on the night.

Shelley has made three of four field goal attempts tonight, and his only miss came on a block. The 35-yarder to extend Alabama's lead in the third quarter was the longest field goal of the night.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

VIDEO: SEC Trolls So Hard With Halftime Commercial During 2012 BCS National Championship Game

Trent Richardson Being Used Sparingly By Alabama Against LSU

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson, perhaps the nation's best running back and certainly the NFL Draft's top rushing candidate, wasn't Bama's featured back on every drive in the BCS National Championship Game's first half. Many were confused to see Eddie Lacy getting carries ahead of the devastating Richardson, especially on the LSU Tigers side of the field.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

If the plan was to split series, Richardson seems to have asserted his way into more carries. But he's hardly overexerting himself so far. He has 11 carries and two catches, more touches than any two other Tide players combined, working his way to 52 yards rushing and 11 through the air. The highlight was a 20-yard jaunt down the sideline that ended with a jolting stutter step.

Richardson tends to get more and more effective as games wear on, which makes sense. At a molten 224 pounds, he's acquired his 1,583 rushing yards on the year by being used as much a closer as a starter. Until things get really out of hand, of course.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

'Honey Badger' Tyrann Mathieu Kept At Bay By Alabama So Far

Star LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu -- whose nickname Brent Musburger can't quite get enough of -- has made his presence known in ways far more subtle than we're used to, so far at least. The Alabama Crimson Tide has been hesitant to punt his way, sending their only kick out of bounds instead of his way.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Mathieu has four touchdowns on the year, coming by all manner of return type.

He does have a tipped pass and made a great tackle on Eddie Lacy that prevented what would've been a first down deep in LSU's turf. Leading the team in tackles on the year is rare for a cornerback, but he's shown he's far from a liability in run coverage.

Now that Alabama has a two-score lead, look for him to get more aggressive in seeking out the ball -- he's already the school's all-time fumbles-forced leader, and he's only a sophomore.

Against both Arkansas and Georgia, it was a Mathieu kick return that sparked LSU out of early slumps and into lengthy second half rolls. LSU fans should hope for a stop on the opening drive and a daring punt by Bama, I'd presume.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game Halftime Score: Alabama Leads LSU 9-0 After Cade Foster Field Goal

Marquis Maze's injury early in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game has left Alabama without its finest wide receiver. The Crimson Tide have gotten help from Kevin Norwood and Darius Hanks, though, and Cade Foster hit a field goal to end the first half with Alabama up 9-0 on LSU.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Norwood and Hanks both made catches on Alabama's final drive of the first half to get Foster, the Tide's long-distance field goal kicker, in position to make a field goal from 41 yards out.

Foster was happy about that field goal, as you can see.

Norwood had three catches for 54 yards in the first half, and Hanks added three for 34 yards; both receivers helped out A.J. McCarron, who has thrown for 156 yards on 25 passes so far.

In over six quarters of play between these two teams in the 2011 college football season, though, there have been eight field goals and no touchdowns.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Alabama Vs. LSU Halftime Score: Tide 30 Minutes Away From National Championship

The Alabama Crimson Tide took a 9-0 lead into the locker room against the LSU Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game. Even bigger, the Tide get the ball back to start the second half. If they can do the impossible and tack on another field goal, this game could be blown wide open. Does LSU have six safeties in it?

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

The question of the superior defense has been answered for the time being. Alabama has held LSU to only 43 yards -- though that's right around what the Tigers had mustered in the SEC Championship Game's first half against the Georgia Bulldogs. Bama's defense is a little bit better than UGA's, though, and has had quite a bit more time with which to prepare.

Alabama, meanwhile, rode a late-half field goal drive into a 225-yard total, actually a respectable sum for just about any team in just about any setting. A.J. McCarron has been cautious, but has 156 yards through the air.

It could be even worse for LSU, since that noted Tigers special teams unit has blocked a field goal.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Jordan Jefferson Overwhelmed By Alabama Defense In National Championship Game

Staring up at an insurmountable 6-0 deficit, the LSU Tigers took back the ball midway through the second quarter hoping for a really good punt to set up a field goal that they could block and return for good enough field position to kick a field goal of their own.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Kenny Hilliard got the call at halfback, achieving little up the gut on first down. Jordan Jefferson was able to gain a few on a play action boot after target Odell Beckham was blanketed. Amazing watching Bama's enormous defensive line chase the fleet quarterback out of bounds.

A LSU time out killed what looked like a potential first down on a draw by Jefferson. The actual third down play involved another bobbled snap and nada. Jefferson looks completely overwhelmed in this game. He's averaging 3.8 yards per attempt and 1.6 yards per carry.

Punter Brad Wing bailed things out yet again.

Kirk Herbstreit and Brent Musburger are reminding you LSU has started slow on offense in their last two games as well. They'd prefer it if you didn't turn away, snoozingly.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game Live Score Updates: Alabama Gets Second Field Goal For 6-0 Lead

The Alabama Crimson Tide have been able to get first downs on all of their drives to begin the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. But that hasn't translated to a big just yet, as LSU's defense stiffened again in its own territory and held Alabama to another Jeremy Shelley field goal, letting the Crimson Tide extend their lead, but only to 6-0.

Barkievious Mingo stopped Eddie Lacy for no gain on a third-and-one run in the second quarter to force Shelley to come out and attempt his third field goal of the night. After having his second try blocked earlier in the quarter, Shelley got this kick clear of LSU's line and put it between the uprights.

Both Lacy and Trent Richardson had success on the ground on the drive: Lacy ran for nine yards on a draw moments before being stopped, while Richardson ripped off a 20-yard run just plays before.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Alabama Again Shuts Down LSU Offense In BCS National Championship Game

The LSU Tigers got back the ball early in the second quarter with a little bit of momentum thanks to a blocked field goal by Michael Brockers, but couldn't do anything with it. What do you do with momentum, anyway?

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

The Alabama Crimson Tide again shut down the Tigers. Another penalty put LSU behind schedule right from the start -- Dont'a Hightower nearly followed it with a pick-six -- and on third-and-seven, Jordan Jefferson underthrew Spencer Ware out of the backfield. That was that. Ware appeared frustrated with the outcome of the play, and LSU fans are right there with him.

Once again, LSU has nothing on offense, largely due to timing issues. Brad Wing loosed an unreturnable punt, and, as expected, it's special teams that are keeping the Tigers in this game so far. Hard to believe it's only 3-0 in favor of Bama, looking at the yardage battle (115 to 36).

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game Live Updates: Fake Field Goal For Alabama Sets Up LSU Block

Alabama is emptying its playbook against LSU in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. This fake field goal is one of those unconventional plays that worked.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

That was ruled a first down for Alabama, but the Tide gained just three yards on the next set of downs, forcing Jeremy Shelley to come out for a field goal. LSU blocked it.

Meanwhile, Tyrann Mathieu, who captivated college football in the 2011 season, figured into four important plays on Alabama's third offensive drive in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. The first one wasn't him making a play, but Alabama receiver Kevin Norwood making a big catch over him.

Mathieu subsequently made a stop in run support on third down to force Alabama's fake field goal, got a hand on Chris Underwood on the fake field goal, and batted down a pass to force Shelley's field goal. The Honey Badger isn't going to have a quiet night, clearly.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Marquis Maze Injury Status: Questionable To Return With Hamstring

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Marquis Maze, the team's leading receiver on the year, is questionable to return from a hamstring injury suffered early against the LSU Tigers. He returned from the locker room and had a seat on the bench with his leg heavily wrapped.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Maze left after running a punt back 45 yards but ducking out of bounds instead of taking on an opposing special teamer. In his absence, freshman defensive back Christion Jones is returning punts.

He was also hurt in the first matchup between these teams. His hobbled leg may have been one of the game's critical factors, as Brad Wing was able to boom a punt well over his head and put Alabama out of scoring range late.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

LSU Vs. Alabama Game Update: Tide Defense Stuffs Tigers Again

How would the LSU Tigers respond to an imposing Alabama Crimson Tide field goal? That's one-fifth as many points as these teams combined for the first time around! LSU had yet to muster a single first down on its first two drives, to boot.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

Odell Beckham started proceedings with a skying grab of a Jordan Jefferson pass. Jefferson, who's looked shellshocked early on, pumped on second down and ran for the first Tigers conversion of the evening.

He was stuffed on the following play by Dre Kirkpatrick while trying to reach the corner. A sharp pass on a short route brought it back to third-and-four, but C.J. Mosley ate up Alfred Blue on a swing route to kill the drive.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Alabama Vs. LSU Score Update: Jeremy Shelley Gives Tide 3-0 Lead In 2012 BCS National Championship Game

Set up by an excellent punt return by Marquis Maze, the Alabama Crimson Tide had some of the best field position they are likely to enjoy in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game against LSU. And, just as in their loss to the Tigers in November, the Tide stalled in the red zone, and had to settle for a field goal to make the game 3-0.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

A.J. McCarron found Darius Hanks on a 16-yard pass to open the drive and set the Tide up in a goal-to-go situation, but an incomplete pass and a Trent Richardson run for no gain left Alabama in third and long, and McCarron's third pass to Brad Shelley on the night didn't get the Tide into the end zone.

The good news: Jeremy Shelley, who struggled throughout the Tide's 9-6 loss in Tuscaloosa, nailed the 23-yard field goal to stake Alabama to an early 3-0 lead.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Marquis Maze Injury: Alabama Star Limping After Big Punt Return

The field position battle is underway in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. After LSU Tigers punter Brad Wing put the Alabama Crimson Tide at a disadvantage, Alabama Crimson Tide punter Cody Mandell booted the ball out of bounds to avoid Tyrann Mathieu. You cannot blame him.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

LSU took the field in a pistol set with Kenny Hilliard behind Jordan Jefferson. A false start call on Alex Hurst gummed things up, but the Tigers stuck with the run. Hilliard gained a handful up the middle, but when Jefferson decided to keep on a slow-developing sprint to the left, the drive stalled.

Spencer Ware entered on third-and-long, barely advancing the ball beyond the line of scrimmage thanks to some excellent stalking by Courtney Upshaw.

Which brought up the main event: Brad Wing's punt coverage unit ... gave up a long, 45-yard return to Marquis Maze! It came at a cost, though ... it appeared Maze had to duck out of bounds due to what might've been a cramp at best, a hamstring injury at worst. We'll stay in touch once we know more about his status.

If Maze, the team's leading receiver, has to miss time, Bama could be in trouble. Doesn't look good:

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game Live Updates: Alabama Comes Out Passing, Has To Punt

The Alabama Crimson Tide were buried deep by another fantastic Brad Wing punt to begin their first offensive series of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, but came out firing with a rudimentary passing game. It didn't get the Crimson Tide very far against the stout LSU Tigers defense, but it was better than the three carries on Alabama's first series.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

A.J. McCarron found Brad Smelley twice for 19 yards and completed another pass to Michael Williams for six yards on that drive, picking up two first downs through the air. But on three carries, Trent Richardson mustered just 11 yards, and came up short of the sticks on a third down near midfield, forcing an Alabama punt.

That punt went out of bounds, angled away from dangerous LSU return man Tyrann Mathieu as it was, but the drive helped the Tide fix their field position problem.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Game Live Updates: Jordan Jefferson Fumble Gives Alabama Ball

The Alabama Crimson Tide won the coin toss just before the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, deferring to the second half. That meant booting the ball to the LSU Tigers and the country's best special teams unit, but you have to do it at some point. Well, not necessarily if you're a SEC team. But you probably do.

SI.com: Live LSU-Alabama box score

The kick went off without incident, unless you're the side of Morris Claiborne's head. Jordan Jefferson and Michael Ford got the starts at their respective positions, with a Rueben Randle scoot for a few yards the only positive gain of any note. Jefferson fumbled the snap on third-and-two, meaning we're absolutely on place to another low-scoring game.

The Brad Wing punt whistled over return man Marquis Maze's head, just like last time, and LSU has just taken field position control.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

PHOTO: LSU Fans, Media Wrangling Over Seats At National Championship Game

BCS National Championship, LSU Vs. Alabama: Live Game Coverage With Video And More

Won't you join us at 8:30 p.m. ET (ish) for the BCS National Championship Game between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide? Even if you're able to catch the game on ESPN (also: radio info), we'll still be around to provide stats, updates, commentary on highlights, and probably not any spoilers. There will be only like one touchdown. OK, so not many spoilers.

In the meantime, here's a fine assemblage of preview reading, as there's really no point in doing anything that's not college football with the rest of your day.

How's this game work? Here's Bill Connelly with what we can learn from the first go-round, and here's Vegas trying to make heads or tails of the whole thing (also: everyone likes prop bets).

I have questions about bowl game things. SI.com's Holly Anderson has been running an excellent series of bowl FAQs, which conclude with this title game breakdown.

Will anybody score a touchdown? SI.com's Andy Staples has the prescription for just that. It'll probably go differently than it did in 1964, when multiple touchdowns were scored.

Shouldn't there be a playoff instead? Well, yes, especially since, as Samuel Chi notes, it's hard to pick a great No. 2 team, but Bill C. suggests you just hush and enjoy it. Bomani Jones blasphemes further: the BCS got it right. But SI.com's Stewart Mandel notes your opinion is probably shaded by whether your team's here or not.

Who am I supposed to root for? Spencer Hall just comes right out and says it, while Andrew Sharp's report from the scene may make you just root for the entire city of New Orleans. Even if it does contain Harvey Updyke.

But I'm an Alabama fan. That's what Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll is for!

But I'm a LSU fan. Then you should be off to LSU blog And the Valley Shook.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

2012 BCS National Championship Rootability Index: Who Should You Pull For Tonight?

Though the 2012 BCS National Championship Game may pair teams that look the same to the untrained eye, LSU and Alabama deploy their defense-first death marches via entirely different approaches. So which one to root for?

Split National Championship? A Two-Team Playoff Is Still A Playoff

It's not ideal, but it's what we've got right now. The winner of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game will have earned its title as the best team in the country.

LSU Vs. Alabama Odds: Betting Trends Breakdown For The BCS National Championship Game

Our friends at OddsShark.com have sent us a full breakdown of 2012 BCS National Championship Game betting trends.

Alabama Vs. LSU Preview: What We Can Learn From Round 1

The last time these teams played, LSU found success on the edges, and Alabama dominated between the tackles. Alabama created, and blew, more opportunities. Will the same story play out this time around?

Notes From New Orleans: LSU-Alabama, And Calm Before The Storm

LSU and Alabama play for the National Championship on Monday night in New Orleans. But first there's been the prelude: An NFL playoff game, pep rallies, and a 24-hour party that goes for 72 hours. Here are some notes and images from the scene.

BCS National Championship 2012: Odds Favor Both Teams, Prop Bets Include Race To 10 Points

The rematch between LSU and Alabama for the 2012 BCS National Championship is so close that there are odds that favor both teams. According to SB Nation's odds partner, OddsShark, both Alabama and LSU are favored over the spectrum of betting lines — LSU by a point according to Bovada, and Alabama by two or 2.5 points, according to other sites. And no one thinks this is going to be a shootout, as evidenced by over/unders hovering around 40 points.

But while you can find lines favoring both teams, the BCS National Championship Game prop bets are where the fun really is. Think Alabama's going to score first and on a touchdown pass? You can get 11-2 odds on that. Want the over/under on total turnovers? It's 3.5. Do you think LSU will win by 31 to 36 points? You can get staggering 80-1 odds on that, better even than the odds for LSU winning by at least 43 points (66-1).

But the best prop bet of all is called the "Race to 10 Points": Alabama is -125 to get to 10 points first, and LSU is -115 to do the same, but if you believe that neither team will reach that plateau, you can get "neither" for +3000.

Stay tuned to our title game StoryStream for more updates on Monday's upcoming showdown. Be sure to check LSU blog And The Valley Shook and Alabma blog Roll Bama Roll, as well. For more odds and lines on the remaining bowl games, check out our NCAA Football Odds page.

LSU Vs. Alabama: Picking Team No. 2 Never Easy For BCS National Championship Game

Picking No. 1 is easy. But No. 2? That's where the BCS National Championship Game tends to stir up trouble. Head here for full coverage of LSU vs. Alabama, Part 2.

PHOTOS: Harvey Updyke, LSU Fans And A Pretty Great Night In NOLA

2012 BCS National Championship Game Photos: Les Miles, Nick Saban Win Press Conference

It's not often a press conference with opposing coaches results in numerous hilarious photos. It's also not often that Nick Saban and Les Miles are in the same place at the same time, speaking with the media with nothing but a podium and BCS Championship trophy between them. That's what happened on Sunday morning, and the photos that came out of it were absolute gold.

I mean, look at this. Miles tries to be serious, but just makes you want to giggle. Saban tries to smile and looks like he hurt himself in the process.

And the staring contest. Oh, the staring contest. It's like two heavyweights before a big fight, except we're almost positive Miles is trying to make Saban laugh.

(It worked, if you were wondering)

Guessing someone asked Saban why Miles eats grass here.

Wait for it. Waaaait for it....

Miles is setting up for something here, but what could he be preparing for?

Oh, right. That. The most Les Miles press conference moment ever, and a superb photobomb.

I'm almost positive Miles ripped a fart here and is trying to see if Saban falls apart. Look at the intensity on his face.

Enough with the press conference, though: The real game gets underway on Monday as Alabama faces LSU for the BCS National Championship.

2012 BCS National Championship, LSU Vs. Alabama: Radio Streaming Information

If you want to catch the 2012 BCS National Championship Game on the radio, there's really only one choice: ESPN Radio will have the BCS National Championship Game radio broadcast beginning at 7:30 p.m. Monday night, pursuant to the BCS' contractual obligations.

The good news for fans who can't get to a television to watch the game is that the ESPN Radio crew calling the game — Mike Tirico on play-by-play, Todd Blackledge on color commentary, and Holly Rowe serving as the sideline reporter — is good, and that there are plenty of ESPN Radio affiliates to catch the game on.

If you can't get that interactive map to work, the more searchable list of ESPN Radio affiliates might be of use. You can also stream the radio broadcast of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game via the ESPN Mobile app.

Stay tuned to our title game StoryStream for more updates on Monday's upcoming showdown. Be sure to check LSU blog And The Valley Shook and Alabma blog Roll Bama Roll, as well. For more odds and lines on the remaining bowl games, check out our NCAA Football Odds page.

BCS National Championship 2012, LSU Vs. Alabama: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

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More than a month after the SEC Championship and more than two months after their first meeting in Tuscaloosa, the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson tide finally contest their rematch. To many, it's a rematch they never wanted to see. To many others, putting these two teams in the BCS National Championship game was the only fair way to go about things. If LSU wins, they will be a clear and unanimous national champion, likely heralded as one of the best teams in college football history. If Alabama wins, we've got a bit of a mess on our hands.

But let's put that aside for the time being. Before we get into the "if Alabama wins" mess and the possibility of a split National Championship, there's football to cover. After all, that can't happen unless Alabama wins what most expect to be a very even football game. They will be facing a player who was only used more sparingly in the first matchup than he will be used on Monday night, quarterback Jordan Jefferson. Alabama Crimson Tide blog Roll Bama Roll is concerned about his playmaking ability and what the Alabama defense will do to stop him.

Finding a way to stop the option attack led by Jordan Jefferson and his overall mobility could be the biggest priority, and the additional focus that was undoubtedly placed on doing that in game preparation will certainly be beneficial to Alabama. Even so, it's still a difficult thing to defend, and even if defended relatively well -- as it was on November 5th -- it can (and likely would) nevertheless have the impact of taking Alabama out of its aggressive blitz packages and limiting situations where 'Bama forces an opposing offense behind the chains on second and third downs. By keeping Alabama in a more conservative base defense and having to defend against convertible down-and-distance situations, LSU can limit the dynamic of the 'Bama defense with only a moderate degree of success in the option game.

LSU Tigers blog And The Valley Shook expects to see much more of Jefferson than Jarrett Lee, and anticipates that Alabama will do everything in their power to force him to make throws while inside the pocket.

While I doubt Jefferson's presence changes Nick Saban and Kirby Smart's defensive gameplan too much, his strengths and weaknesses contrast with Lee's. With Lee, the Tigers have a more accurate short-range passer who is at his best when he can get the ball out quickly, but struggles in the face of a pass-rush. With Jefferson, the play-action deep game and motion passes like bootlegs work a little better, but the ball will come out slower and leave the offense more vulnerable to sacks. As such, whereas Bama sought to pressure the heck out of Lee in the first-go round, with Jefferson back there look for them to try and stop the run with just the front seven, keep the safeties back, keep Jefferson in the pocket, make him throw passes against zone coverage.

Now, back to that pesky split title thing. It's highly likely that the winner of this game, even if it is Alabama, will be named as the National Champion by both the coaches and the AP. But, as SEC blog Team Speed Kills points out, the waters could be muddied. The coaches will vote for the winner of Monday's game, but the AP can do whatever they please.

In most sports, there's no way to handle it when there are two championship-worthy teams or when there's a split result. When the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, for example, they were the undisputed champions of the NFL not simply because they won the official championship event -- though there's that -- but also because there was no alternative way to recognize that the Patriots had defeated the Giants in the regular season and had a far better record and an arguably stronger resume.

We don't have that problem in college football. The coaches are contractually obligated to vote for the winner of the BCS National Championship Game, and every voter in that poll absolutely should vote based on the results of the game. But there's no reason for the AP to vote based on that game if they aren't bound by contract.

Yes, there are aspects of this game that have little to do with actual football, but the actual football should be excellent. We highly recommend watching for the actual football and not for the chaos that could possibly ensue afterwards.

LSU vs. Alabama game time, date: 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday, Jan. 9

Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

TV channel: ESPN/ESPN3

Game odds: LSU favored by 1 1/2 points

For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook and SEC blog Team Speed Kills. For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation’s college football news coverage. And visit our many college football blogs.

Alabama Vs. LSU Series Has Decided More Than One National Title Already

In 1958, LSU's victory over Alabama paved the way for a championship. The two teams didn't meet for another six years, but when they did in 1964, once again, the title was on the line. Full 2012 BCS National Championship Game coverage here.

BCS National Championship 2012: Nick Saban Pulls Shocking Press-Conference Upset

Nick Saban is not necessarily known as the most personable coach. At times, the Alabama coach can be prickly and unapproachable. But during Sunday's 2012 BCS Championship Game press conference, he seemed perfectly at ease, firing off one-liners that suggested he can be just as warm and cuddly as the next guy. It's safe to say this development came as a bit of a surprise to many:

Done with Miles and Saban ... and get this, Saban was hilarious. No, really.

— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) January 8, 2012

Among the highlights:

Saban shared the fact that he and his wife watch the Weather Channel everyday for about 30 minutes. Says that's when his wife "coaches me up pretty good."

When some jazz music inadvertently started playing in the background during one of his answers, Saban said "Is that Al Green? Turn it up!"

The former LSU coach made no attempt to play down his connections to Monday's opponent. "Every time we play LSU I have to change my phone number because people blow up my phone. Terry’s too, actually."

When asked about his daughter dating, Saban said he's most interested in finding out if the boy is a competitor. He noted most were too intimidated to even muster a response.

VIDEO: LSU Band Plays Saints-Lions Game Halftime Show

BCS National Championship 2012: LSU And Alabama Not Impressed With Bowl Game Defenses So Far

As the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide get set to face off in the 2012 BCS National Championship in a game between two of the best defenses in the country, they've had a chance to sit back and watch some of the other bowl games. It doesn't sound like either team is too impressed with the defenses they've seen thus far.

"You watch these other conferences play in bowl games and wonder why they're all scoring so many points," LSU defensive Barkevious Mingo told the Cullman Times. "While they're trying to outscore each other, every team in the SEC is focused on trying to have the most dominant defense in the league - and that's why we win national championships."

Alabama players have the same sentiment as well, noting the difference in "SEC speed". "When I do watch a game from around the country, I'm watching the defenses," Alabama defensive back Dee Milliner told the Cullman Times. "The difference is speed. When you get away from the south, the defenses slow."

In the first match up between the two teams, defense was the name of the game. Both LSU and Alabama held each other to under 300 yards of offense as the Tigers beat the Tide in overtime, 9-6.

Stay tuned to our title game StoryStream for more updates on Monday's upcoming showdown. Be sure to check LSU blog And The Valley Shook and Alabma blog Roll Bama Roll, as well. For more odds and lines on the remaining bowl games, check out our NCAA Football Odds page.

BCS National Championship Odds 2012: Las Vegas Undecided On A Favorite Between Alabama And LSU

As we edge closer to Monday's showdown between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, it seems as if picking winner is getting more and more difficult for oddsmakers. All of the betting services at Oddsshark.com have picked a favorite, though who that favorite is depends on who you look at. While LSU opened as a 1.5-point favorite, the lines have since shifted, placing either Alabama or LSU as a 1- to 1.5-point favorite.

The fact that this game has become essentially a pick 'em isn't surprising, considering how close the last "biggest game ever" matchup was in November. Alabama missed four field goals in regulation and overtime, and LSU intercepted a goal-line pass to hold on for a 9-6 win in Tuscaloosa.

Assuming defense rules once again, fans should anticipate another tight margin. Both teams have been excellent against the spread this season, going a combined 18-7 while averaging a more than 27-point differential over their opponents.

Stay tuned to our title game StoryStream for more updates on Monday's upcoming showdown. Be sure to check LSU blog And The Valley Shook and Alabma blog Roll Bama Roll, as well. For more odds and lines on the remaining bowl games, check out our NCAA Football Odds page.

PHOTO: PAWWWWWWWWWWWWWL

BCS National Championship 2012: Alabama OC Defends Offense

The 2012 BCS National Championship game is creeping closer as each day passes and excitement is building for the match-up featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers. One of the top reasons for that excitement is due to hope that the offenses are able to do more than they did in the first game -- a chore that weighs heavily on the shoulders of Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain.

McElwain has already accepted the job as Colorado State's head coach for next season, but the coaching veteran will finish out his duties with 'Bama this week. The outgoing coach fielded questions from the media on Thursday with a sense of humor as his time as a member of the Crimson Tide ends.

The Crimson Tide coordinator was asked if Alabama's offense is pro style, according to ESPN's Joe Schad, to which he responded, "According to most of you guys we don't do anything."

Running back Trent Richardson backed McElwain up by calling him a genius, but it's likely that McElwain's legacy at Alabama will be decided based on the outcome of the title game and not on his running back's opinions.

For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

BCS National Championship 2012: Late Tickets May Fall To $750

Just a few weeks ago, a ticket simply to get in the doors of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans to see LSU take on Alabama for the BCS National Championship was going for more than $1,100. Tuesday night, less than a week before the game, the Daily Comet in LaFourche Parish, La. reported that late ticket buyers could find spots for less than $750. Sure, it's still expensive, but if you're already shelling out nearly a thousand bucks for a ticket, another $350 is a huge deal.

"Two days out from the game, there will be tickets going for under $750," said Jesse Lawrence of TiqIq.com. "The reality is that the hard part isn't necessarily getting the ticket, but whether or not you get a hotel room for Monday night. Plus, kids are in school, people are working, and it's a lot to ask that you uproot your life to go see a game.

"So I do think we'll see a bit of softening on the part of sellers. If I was a buyer, I might be negotiating $750 as my starting point right now, especially on sites like eBay where you can make an offer."

Chances are, all of the hotels in New Orleans are either booked or damn near close to it, but maybe you can find a friend's house or, say, a brothel where you could stay if you're one of these late-buying bargain hunters.

For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

Barrett Jones Turns Down 2012 NFL Draft, Will Return To Alabama

University of Alabama left tackle Barrett Jones announced that he will return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season.

BCS Championship 2012: LSU - Alabama Title Game Rematch Set

Regardless of who wins the 2012 BCS Championship Game between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, the loser will get a chance at a modicum of revenge on November 3rd, 2012 when the two face each other again.

The 2012 SEC football schedule has been released and with it comes what will be the third meeting between these two teams in a year. The game will be played in Baton Rouge.

Neither team is exactly being penalized for their success this season. According to these SEC schedule rankings, Alabama's 2012 conference sched is the 4th-toughest overall while LSU's is 11th.

Neither team is looking that far ahead, instead putting all of their focus into the upcoming game that will determine the BCS National Champion.

For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

BCS Championship 2012: Alabama's Barrett Jones Could Make His NFL Decision After BCS Title Game

The 2012 BCS Championship game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers will feature two teams oozing with NFL talent. Versatile junior left tackle Barrett Jones could wait to make his decision about staying in school another year or heading to the NFL after the Championship game. Not only has Jones excelled at the left tackle position, but he's played every position on the Tide's offensive line except for right guard, which is where he started for the 2009 and 2010 season. Just didn't want to think about the NFL right now, however.

"My mindset right now is I just want to play this game and focus on that right now," he said. "After that, I'll have a few days to make a final decision with my family," Jones told the Dothan Eagle. "Obviously, I've been thinking about it some and talking to my family. Listing the pros and cons, that kind of thing. But, yeah, I just want to get done, see how the game turns out and decide from there."

For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

2012 BCS National Championship Game: Alabama At Historical Disadvantage With Longer Layoff

There are plenty of reasons why the postseason in FBS college football is arguably the weirdest in all of sports, not the least of which is the nearly two month layoff for some teams between the end of the regular season and the bowl game. The Alabama Crimson Tide will have gone 44 days between games when they play in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 2, one week longer than the LSU Tigers. Unfortunately for the Tide, history is not on their side in that regard. As the Birmingham News points out, the team with the longer layoff has lost five of seven championship games.

The 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes and the 1999 Florida State Seminoles are the only exceptions. The Seminoles had an extra six days to rest before taking out the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Buckeyes waited an extra two weeks before downing the Miami Hurricanes in what was a classic final. Five years later, Ohio State lost to LSU after waiting 51 days to play in the title game.

The Tide will have the fourth-longest layoff ever by a National Champion should they beat the Tigers in New Orleans. The aforementioned Seminoles (45 days), the 1990 Colorado Buffaloes (45 days), and the 1983 Hurricanes (51 days) all had to wait longer.

For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

Every BCS Bowl Band A Million Dollar Band

NFL Draft 2012: Robert Lester Making Mind Up After National Title Game

Alabama graduate Robert Lester won't make up his mind about the 2012 NFL Draft until after the BCS National Championship Game, he says.

2012 BCS National Championship Game: Tickets For LSU-Alabama Rematch Down, Still Quite Expensive

Unsurprisingly, no bowl game's tickets are a hotter commodity than the BCS title game between LSU and Alabama, but they have started to dip in recent weeks.

PHOTO: LSU Fans May Have Annexed Afghanistan

BCS National Championship 2012: LSU Kicker At Home In Superdome

The first meeting between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide in 2011 was settled by field goals --  three for LSU, two for Alabama. If the rematch in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game follows the same pattern, Tigers kicker Drew Alleman's familiarity with the Mercedes-Benz Superdome may give LSU an edge, notes Scott Rabalais of The Advocate.

"It’s been awhile, but you kind of know your surroundings," Alleman said of the Superdome. "I went to (this year’s) state championship game, and the field is still the same. Having played there, you know your targets are still the same. It’s like being at home again."

Alleman kicked the game-winning field goal in the 2006 Class 5A State Championship at the Superdome. In 2011, the junior kicker was 16-of-18 on field goal attempts, including 3-for-3 against Alabama in Tuscaloosa on November 5, in his first season as the Tigers' full-time place-kicker.

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game StoryStream. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

LSU's Entrance Is This Year's Finest Football Theater

BCS National Championship 2012: LSU To Break For The Holidays, Tide Go Back To Basics

With three weeks to go before the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide meet in the BCS National Championship Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 9, the two SEC schools have vastly different approaches to this week.

For the Tigers, they'll have three practices this week before breaking for the holiday, head coach Les Miles announced on Monday.

"Let them enjoy Christmas," Miles said. "We'll bring them back with 10 practices to go. We'll put in the remainder of the game plan and practice it well in the final week while we're in New Orleans."

Meanwhile, Alabama returns to practice this week after having three weeks off and will practice until Friday.

"We're going back and starting this just like we're starting camp over, first day of practice, same installments, same fundamentals," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said on Monday.. "We'll do that all five days this week."

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game StoryStream. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

BCS National Championship 2012: Tide, Tigers Have No Problem With Rematch

A rematch of two SEC West foes in the 2012 BCS National Championship game has had plenty of people up in arms about the BCS itself, and its method of selecting the two best teams in the country. LSU Tigers strong safety Brandon Taylor has no problem with the selection process, however. 

"This is what the world wants to see," Taylor said. "This is a heavyweight fight. This will be a big game, the Super Bowl of college football. It's going to be great playing against the second-best team in the country."

Unsurprisingly, the Alabama Crimson Tide are relishing the opportunity as well. Coming off a 3-point November loss in which the Tide missed four field goals, January's game feels like their rightful chance at redemption.

"It's something we really wanted to have happen, ever since that game ended," Alabama middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower said. ...

"We wanted another chance," offensive lineman Barrett Jones said, "and we're really excited about that chance."

There are plenty of reasons to criticize the BCS, almost all of them valid. Still, America could do worse than a rematch of hard-hitting conference rivals on Jan. 9.

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game StoryStream. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

BCS National Championship 2012: Title Game Won't Have SEC Officials

The 2012 BCS National Championship game features a match up between two SEC teams in the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Oddly enough however, the game will not be umpired by SEC officials despite the match up being between two SEC teams.

Rogers Redding, the National Coordinator of Football Officials explains the reasoning to ESPN's Ivan Maisel:

"The guidelines for bowl-game officiating, which includes the championship game, do not anticipate the possibility of both teams being from the same conference," Redding said in an email reply. "Thus they are silent on the issue, and hence are open to interpretation.

"The guidelines consistently call for ‘neutral crews,' which is defined as crews from a conference different from those of the participants in the game. I am interpreting that literally in this case, so the crew officiating the game will not be from the SEC."

So while technically not "neutral", whichever crew officiates the game will need to adjust to the two teams rather than already being a bit familiar with them.

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

Jim McElwain Finds Pretty Good Colorado State Recruiting Angle

BCS National Championship 2012: LSU, Alabama Bring Seven ESPN.com All-Americans To Title Game

ESPN.com has released their All-American list and the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide have seven of them that will square off in the 2012 BCS National Championship game.

For LSU,guard Will Blackwell, corner Morris Claiborne and corner Tyrann Mathieu make the cut.

Everyone is familiar with the Honey Badger already, be it his game-making plays, his nickname or just his Heisman ceremony suit. Claiborne was no slouch on the other side of the field, leading the Tigers with six interceptions, and he has 46 tackles and six pass breakups.Blackwell started the season at right guard and finished it at left guard, poweing an SEC-leading offense with 220.4 rushing yards per game against league opponents.

Meanwhile, Alabama features four players that were honored. Tackle Barrett Jones, QB Trent Richardson, linebacker Courtney Upshaw and safety Mark Barron.

Jones won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman last week. Richardson was just among the Heisman finalists in New York. Upshaw registered 17 tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hurries. Barron was second on the team with 66 total tackles, and intercepted two passes.

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

BCS National Championship 2012: LSU, Alabama Clean Up In Postseason Awards

The LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, who will play for the National Championship this season, fittingly captured a majority of the hardware given out at Disney World on Thursday during college football's awards ceremony.

For LSU, junior cornerback Morris Claiborne was named the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, given each year to the nation's top defensive back, while sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu nabbed the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player.

The Tigers' Les Miles was also honored with the Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, while defensive coordinator John Chavis was the recipient of the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach.

As for Alabama, junior running back Trent Richardson captured the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back, while his top blocker, left tackle Barrett Jones, won the Outland Trophy as the top interior lineman.

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

Doak Walker Award 2011 Winner: Alabama's Trent Richardson

The winner of the 2011 Doak Walker award is Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

Trent Richardson had led the Alabama Crimson Tide to the National Title game. His 1,583 rushing yards were the sixth most in the country. He rushed for 20 touchdowns, which was the fifth best total. He was also the fourth highest scorer in the nation, finding the endzone a total of 23 times.

Richardson beat out some stiff competition.

LaMichael James has powered the Oregon Ducks all season. On 222 carries, he ran for 1,646 yards and 17 touchdowns. His 7.4 YPG average is a good yard higher than Montee Ball's. On the flip side, he ran for almost half as many touchdowns.

In 13 games this season, Montee Ball has carried the ball 275 times for 1,759 yards, which is the best in the Big Ten and the entire FBS. Not only that, but Ball's 32 rushing touchdowns are the most by a skill player in major college football by six scores. His 6.4 yards per carry is second in the nation among RBs with 200+ carries.

James took home the award last year, as part of a high-octane Oregon Ducks offense. Of the last 15 winners of the award, only three have gone on to win the Heisman Trophy as the best player in the nation: Reggie Bush in 2005, Ron Dayne in 1999 and Ricky Williams in 1998.

The award itself is named after former SMU running back, defensive back and place kicker Ewell Doak Walker. He would win the Heisman in 1948 while leading the Mustangs to an 8-1-1 record, eventually going on to a Hall of Fame career with the Detroit Lions.

SB Nation's 2011 college football awards stream will have the winners of each college football award, because it's a college football awards stream.

Chuck Bednarik Award 2011 Winner: LSU's Tyrann Mathieu

The winner of the 2011 Chuck Bednarik Award is LSU's Tyrann Mathieu, affectionately known as the "Honey Badger" by many. LSU Tigers' Tyrann Mathieu leads one of the best defenses in the nation with 70 tackles and has forced six fumbles while recovering five. He also has a pair of interceptions. He just seemed to have a knack for the football no matter what position he played.

In 2010, the Bednarik went to Mathieu's former teammate Patrick Peterson of LSU. Peterson now suits up for the Arizona Cardinals. The Bednarik award is given every year to the nation's top defensive player. LSU is tied for the second most Bednarik awards by a school, with Penn State leading the way having a player selected four times for the prestegious award.

SB Nation's 2011 college football awards stream will have the winners of each college football award, because it's a college football awards stream.

Home Depot Coach Of The Year 2011: LSU's Les Miles Ahead Of The Rest

The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award will be presented to LSU head coach Les Miles as a part of The Home Depot College Football Awards Thursday evening on ESPN.

In his seventh season at LSU, Les Miles led the Tigers to a 13-0 record for the first time in school history.  The Tigers have amassed 41 conference wins since Miles' first season in 2005, which is more than any other SEC school. LSU's current 8-0 record in league play was recently capped with a decisive 42-10 victory over Georgia, clinching Miles second SEC Championship with the Tigers.

The Tigers are currently preparing to play the Alabama Crimson Tide for the National Championship on January 9, which would be Miles' second since arriving in LSU and the Tigers' third in the past decade.

SB Nation's 2011 college football awards stream will have the winners of each college football award, because it's a college football awards stream.

Broyles Award 2011 Winner: John Chavis, Les Miles' Good Luck Charm

LSU Tigers defensive coordinator John Chavis has been named the 2011 Broyles Award winner, proclaiming him the nation's top assistant. He has a chance to become the third straight winner of the award to win the national title, following Kirby Smart and Gus Malzahn in 2009 and 2010 respectively. And you know how omens tend to turn out for Les Miles.

LSU finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in scoring defense, No. 2 in total defense, No. 3 in rushing defense, No. 8 in passing defense, No. 11 in sacks, and No. 5 in interceptions. They finished behind Bama in all of the first four categories, but played a significantly tougher schedule that included Oregon, Georgia, and West Virginia.

Chavis, to media after the event:

It's a great honor. It's the highest in our profession as an assistant coach. And, to me, it represents the full body of work. It's what our football team has done, what our defensive staff, our entire staff, what our head coach has done. It represents the entire body and I'm proud of those young men that I have an opportunity to work with each day ... I understand my responsibility to them and certainly hope I'm upholding that part of it as well.    

The other nominees: Arkansas Razorbacks offensive coordinator Garrick McGee, who's since taken over the UAB Blazers, Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, who's been connected to the Illinois Fighting Illini and Kansas Jayhawks jobs, Michigan Wolverines offensive coordinator Greg Mattison, and Alabama Crimson Tide linebackers coach Sal Sunseri.

SB Nation's 2011 college football awards stream will have the winners of each college football award, because it's a college football awards stream.

BCS National Championship 2012: Tickets Selling Faster Than Anticipated

The 2012 BCS National Championship game was surrounded in a bit of controversy, as some say the Bowl Championship Series snubbed the Oklahoma State Cowboys, but that hasn't stopped fans from buying tickets to the game featuring the LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide. Ticket prices haven't stopped fans from buying tickets, either, according to those in the know.

This year's BCS game could be the toughest sports ticket of all-time to find, actually, according to an interview the Times Daily did with ticket sellers in the region.

"This could be one of the toughest sports tickets of all time to get your hands on," said Clay Ingram, spokesman for Birmingham-based AAA-Alabama. "We have a package that includes a ticket to the game and three nights in the Hampton Inn downtown that started out $2,499 per person on Sunday and is already up to $2,999 per person because the price of tickets keeps going up."

Along with the tickets, lodging for the weekend is also in hot demand.

"We have 38,000 hotel rooms in the New Orleans metro area and most of them are already booked for the championship game," Kelly Schulz, vice president of communications for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, said. "The whole city is going to be jammed for the game."

The cheapest tickets available on the open market as of Wednesday morning were selling for anywhere from $1,350 and rising to nearly $6,000, according to the website TiqIQ. The prices aren't expected to drop as the game gets closer, either, so those that are interested in seeing college football's national champion crowned in person might have to pay a pretty penny to do so.

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

Alabama Vs. LSU, 2012 BCS National Championship: Nick Saban Won't Apologize For Tide's Title Game Berth

Alabama made its way into a second BCS National Championship game in three seasons despite failing to win its own conference, much less division. Of course, the Crimson Tide were edged out in the SEC West by the No. 1 LSU Tigers for their lone loss of the season. Still, some are irked that two teams from the same conference will be playing in a rematch for the national title crown. Alabama head coach Nick Saban wants those people to know that he doesn't care.

"We are not going to apologize for being in the game," Saban said Sunday night after the University of Alabama's football banquet concluded. "Our players created this opportunity, and they deserve it. That's the system, and according to the system, we should be there."

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy had the most to complain about, with his team winning the Big 12 conference title with a 44-10 win over Oklahoma last Saturday. The Cowboys finished third in the final regular season BCS rankings.

"If we'd have taken care of business at Iowa State, we wouldn't be having this discussion," Gundy said. "I think it really comes down to what I said last night, and I really meant it was: `They had their shot. We want our shot,' and it didn't work out that way. That kind of disappoints me a little bit that enough people that have some say-so in it across the country wouldn't say, `We already saw them play once, at home."

There are no shortage of complaints when it comes to the BCS. For now we just have to be satisfied what is still a pretty darn good matchup between two great teams. Alabama leads the all-time series over LSU, 45-23-5.

For more on each bowl game pairing, check out  SB Nation's college football bowl game coverage. For more on this game, visit Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll, LSU blog And The Valley Shook, SEC blog Team Speed Kills, as well as the official site of the BCS National Championship game. Stay tuned to SB Nation's college football news hub for more analysis.

Coaches Poll: Nick Saban Voted Oklahoma State No. 4, As He Should've

Alabama Vs. LSU Rematch Stirs Up College Football Playoff Support

BCS National Championship Odds 2012: LSU Opens As Slight Favorite Over Alabama In National Title Game

The matchup for the 2012 BCS National Championship game is set, and the LUS Tigers will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. What do odds makers think about the matchup?

BCS Rankings, Week 15: Alabama, Not Oklahoma State, To Play LSU

Oklahoma State's demolition of Oklahoma was not enough to put them over Alabama in the final BCS rankings of the regular season, setting up a rematch between the Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers in the national title game.

BCS National Championship 2012: Alabama Vs. LSU, For All Of The Golden Flakes

Update: Latest BCS Rankings are here.

The SEC has just won its sixth consecutive national championship, according to Stewart Mandel. Sports Illustrated's bowl projections whiz concludes the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide will meet for the title in New Orleans, as expected.

The Oklahoma St. Cowboys made a good case to be included instead of Bama, but it looks like they failed to change enough minds. Instead, they'll head to the Fiesta to take on the Stanford Cardinal.

And now for some notes about the BCS title game.

The BCS National Championship Game has survived change and controversy since the first game was played on Jan. 4, 1999 between Tennessee and Florida State. The game itself was created in reaction to the split national championship between undefeated Michigan and Nebraska during the 1997 season. The game has been determining a national champion ever since, despite yearly debates over the fairness of the system.

It is the Superdome's turn to host the game this year. Last year, Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a win over the Oregon Ducks, in a game that didn't quite feature the offensive fireworks that many had expected between two of the country's best offenses. Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit will call this year's game from the booth for ESPN.

Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Date: January 9th, 2012

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

TV channel: ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN3D

2010 winner and loser: Auburn, Oregon

For more on each bowl game as it’s announced, stay tuned to SB Nation’s 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage. And visit our many college football blogs.

Alabama Vs. LSU Rematch Set For BCS National Championship, According To Report

The battle to play against the LSU Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game has come down to the wire, with computers and humans nearly split down the middle on whether the Oklahoma St. Cowboys or Alabama Crimson Tide should advance to New Orleans. According to CBS Sports' Jerry Palm, who has his head as inside this stuff as anybody, the Tide have the numbers to force a rematch.

@jppalm Sources tell me it's official: LSU-Alabama, the sequel.    

It's likely to be very close, and it won't be official until some time after 8:15 p.m. ET. Bama was the favorite coming into Saturday, but a strong performance by OSU against Oklahoma had many wondering whether the lead would hold. According to one informed report, it will.

Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA

TV channel: ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN3D

2010 winner and loser: Auburn, Oregon

For more on each bowl game as it's announced, stay tuned to SB Nation's 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage. And visit our many college football blogs.

BCS Has Something Right: Teams Shouldn't Need To Win Their Conferences

For all the BCS' faults (and there are plenty), it does have one thing right: A team should not need to win its conference in order to play for the national championship. In his first piece for SB Nation, Bomani Jones explains why.

Why An Alabama-LSU Rematch? Because Every Game Matters

It isn't the BCS' fault that it must select more than one team for the BCS title game this year, and it isn't the BCS' fault that the second-best team is from the same conference. Alabama and LSU have been by far the two best teams in the country in 2011, and they deserve to play for the national title whether we like it or not.