On the Same Collision Course

Last year, it became clear that the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide were on a collision course to decide which team would win the Southeastern Conference and play in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. Conventional wisdom dictated that this would have been decided in the "Game of the Century" between unbeaten Alabama and unbeaten LSU in Tuscaloosa last November. At the end of four quarters, the score was tied.

LSU would go on to beat Alabama in Alabama in overtime, 9-6, but speculation about the not-so-decisive outcome and demand for a rematch in the BCS Championship Game began the next day. LSU would go on to have a perfect regular season, with the SEC West division, win the SEC Championship Game over the Georgia Bulldogs in the Georgia Dome, and play in the BCS National Championship Game. Bama would win its remaining regular season games and finish second in the SEC West.

Alabama would get to rest during the week of the SEC Championship Game because it failed to win its division, (meaning they would have, at best, the third best finish in the SEC, with Georgia being the runner up). Still, Bama would be handed a spot in the BCS Championship Game, to the delight of Bama fans and television networks, over a the other five Automatic Qualifying conference champions, including a one-loss Oklahoma State team from the Big XII. Alabama would go on to win its 13th game of the season, finishing 12-1. The Crimson Tide won the National Championship by beating the Southeastern Conference Champion LSU Tigers, who would finish the season 13-1.

Life is not fair and neither was Bama's invitation to last season's BCS Championship Game. They'll take it! 3

THAT WAS LAST YEAR
    
One could call the BCS Championship Game "sour grapes" for LSU. One could also describe the fact that LSU is the defending division and conference champion as "sweet lemons". Either way this is a new season and the expectations are sky high for both teams. Both teams lost some talent due to expired eligibility, the National Football League, and (in the case of LSU's 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu) disciplinary issues. I would dare say that neither team is as good as last year, but, except perhaps the Trojans of the University of Southern California, both teams are far ahead of the rest of the FBS field.

On Saturday, LSU dismantled mid-major Sunbelt conference opponent North Texas in Tiger Stadium, 41-14, racking up 508 yards of offense in the process, including 141 yards and two touchdowns from sophomore fullback Kenny Hilliard. Very impressive....

Kenny Hilliard was really mean to the Mean Green on Saturday. 1

Alabama, ranked #2 in the Associated Press, faced off against the AP 8th ranked Michigan Wolverines, winning 41-14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a neutral site. Alabama delivered a knockout in the first quarter, leading 21-0, much like Mike Tyson would deliver first round knockouts to his opponents when he was in his prime. Bama racked up over 400 yards of offense against the top ten ranked Big Ten front runner. Much more impressive....

Bama LB Nico Johnson to Michigan QB Denard "Shoelace" Robinson: "Move, b____, get out the way!" 2 

HERE WE GO AGAIN

The Tide will probably leap AP #1 ranked USC (who dismantled the Hawaii Warriors of the Mountain West Conference, 49-10) to the number one spot in the polls on Tuesday morning. But it makes no difference. The real test for both Alabama and AP ranked #3 LSU (#1 in the USA Today poll) will come when the two teams face off against one another. That will take place in Baton Rouge this time, on November 3rd. Barring let down from USC, the SEC tale should be decided on that day. Last year, there was no strong conference winner outside the SEC, opening the door for Bama in the BCS Championship Game.

This year, I would be surprised if USC were not in the top two after all of the conference championships are decided. Even if Southern Cal somehow failed to win the Pac-12 or somehow racked up multiple losses, expectations are high for Ohio State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Florida State to be in the chase for a BCS Championship berth. The loser in this game, no matter how close (or unfair) is not going to get a "do-over" and an opportunity to get the big prize with a season split.

College football is back. It looks like, once again, the SEC is king. Many of you know that I am an LSU grad, and so I say to Alabama, "BRING IT ON!!!"

Heisman candidate and USC QB Matt Barkley had his way with Hawaii on Saturday. Expect them to factor into the final BCS picture. 4

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1, 4) Images from www.zimbio.com
2, 3) Images from www.washingtonpost.com