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

Read More: Jeremy Shelley (K - Alabama), Alabama Crimson Tide

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.