Sports

Faceoff: Who will win the LSU vs. Alabama showdown?

This weekend’s matchup between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama is being labeled by some as “The Game of the Century.”

Sounds a little extreme, but what more can we ask for?

We are going to get a battle between two undefeated teams in the best conference in college football.

But when we look at this matchup, it should be no question why LSU should come away with the victory in Tuscaloosa this Saturday, Nov. 5.

Sure, Alabama is undefeated, but we all expected that to happen.

LSU on the other hand, has sort of become the “bad boys” of college football.

The Crimson Tide are a great team, but I see too much of the Oklahoma Sooners in them.

Alabama has beaten some ranked teams but were they truly amazing wins?

Their three big wins came against teams that have looked like they should not be in the top 25.

Sure, they beat Penn State. And sure, they beat an overhyped Arkansas team that barely escaped Vanderbilt, as well as a Florida team that still gets confused
when their quarterback throws with his right hand.

The teams who win the National Championship always have something that defines why they are the best and leave no doubt at the end of the season.

LSU has not been afraid of being part of the storylines not only in the offseason, but during the season as well.

Unlike Alabama, LSU has been picked to lose for a majority of their games.

The Tigers took down the Oregon Ducks who some still argue could play in the National Championship game.

Not only have the Tigers remained perfect in the SEC, but they even entertained the best team in the Big East at the time in West Virginia.

It is not a question of why or if LSU is going to win this weekend, but more so that it is meant to be.

Alabama just hasn’t been flashy this season and that is hard to do when your running back has 17 rushing touchdowns and people are not making him the sure
Heisman winner.

LSU on the other hand has thrown different players into the mix almost every week.

What more can LSU do to show they have what it takes to complete this amazing season undefeated?

Both teams are great on defense and offensively can put up a lot of points.

For Alabama to have any chance in this game, they are going to need Trent Richardson to run rampant over the LSU defense.

LSU knows this and can truly focus on stopping the run.

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron hasn’t shown that he can dissect a defense and pick it apart.

The Tigers on the other hand don’t have the passing stats, but they have what almost every national championship team has had in the past 10 years, a
quarterback that can run.

So, on Saturday night do not be fooled by the home crowd or the prestiges that is Alabama football, but ask what is meant to be.

No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama will be engaging in the most anticipated college football game in recent history on Saturday night, Nov. 5, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The winner of this contest will more than likely go on to play in the BCS National Championship game.

Both teams are similar offensively and defensively, but the two main reasons why Alabama will get the crucial victory is because the game will be played at
Bryant-Denny Stadium in Alabama and they have the better overall defense.

The Crimson Tide is a staggering 28-2 at home since 2008.

Alabama is outscoring opponents 198-27 in front of the home supporters.

Alabama will finally get to show just how great their defense is.

The Crimson Tide are only allowing 6.9 points per game, which is the best in the nation.

This isn’t the National Football League, this is college football where teams score at will.

Arkansas, for example, is 19th in the country in points scored.

One would think that maybe they would average 25-30 points per game. Not even close.

They average 37 points per game. The Green Bay Packers lead the NFL in points scored with 32.9 per game.

The Houston Cougars lead college football in points scored per game at 52.3.

It is unbelievable what the Alabama defense is doing this season.

LSU has a solid defense with athletic, first-round NFL talent, but they aren’t as good as Alabama.

They are allowing 11.5 points per game which is a statistic one would normally see with a No. 1 rated defense.

Not this season, not with how well the Crimson Tide is playing.

Alabama is doing something amazing in 2011, and it starts with their defense.

Offensively they aren’t bad either. Quarterback AJ McCarron has thrown for 10 touchdowns compared to three interceptions.

He’s doing a great job of not putting his defense in poor situations by turning the ball over.

However, he hasn’t been tested against a quality defense in a tough situation in his career.

We will learn more about his ability to handle the pressure and atmosphere of the big game after this weekend.

Running back Trent Richardson is the difference maker in this SEC showdown.

Any time there is two equal teams, especially defensively, just look at who has the best offensive player.

There is no doubt about Richardson being the best offensive player for both teams.

Richardson is the real deal, a true Heisman candidate.

He has rushed for 989 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season.

He can either run around the defense using his explosive speed or run through defenders with his tremendous power.

What makes him so dynamic is the fact that he doesn’t have a preference.

In what is the game of the 2011 college football schedule, Alabama is about to prove why they are the best team in the nation.