LSU/Alabama Game Predictions

The LSU Tigers will take on the Alabama Crimson for the BCS National Championship on Monday night, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, in New Orleans.

Since the first game between the two was dubbed the "Game of the Century", we can only assume that this one is the sequel, "Game of the Century II".

In that first game, LSU defeated Alabama, 9-6, in overtime, back on November 5, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Alabama outgained LSU in terms of total offense, 295-239, but also four missed field goals, and suffered two turnovers.

The Tigers on the other hand, took advantage of the Alabama mistakes, and showed why they are the top-ranked team in the country.

Neither team makes a secret that they like to run the football, and whoever runs the ball better on Monday night will certainly have the upper-hand.

Alabama running back Trent Richardson was held to 89 yards on 23 carries in the first game, and will need to produce more on the ground if the Crimson Tide is going to win their second national title over the last three years.

LSU likes to run the ball as well, ranking 17th nationally, averaging 215.2 yards-per-game. Alabama held the Tigers to 148 rushing yards on 41 attempts in the initial meeting.

Michael Ford leads LSU in rushing, with 755 yards, but Spencer Ware, Alfred Blue, and Kenny Hilliard will all likely see playing time.

Of course, it was hard to run the ball on these two defenses the first time, and it will be again.

Defensively, Alabama leads the nation in scoring, total defense, rushing defense, and pass defense, while LSU  ranks second in both total and scoring defense.

I'll go on record as saying I like LSU.

I think the Tigers' ground game is playing at a higher level now, as compared to a  couple of months ago.

Now, that doesn't mean that I think that they're going to rush for 300 yards against the Alabama defense, because they won't. But that, along with the fact that LSU just doesn't make mistakes, will be enough, in my opinion, for another hard-fought, 20-17 Tiger win.

I should also point out that the game is being played in New Orleans, and that favors LSU.

I've been saying most of the year that I not only think that these are the best two teams in the country, but two of the top-30 teams of all-time.

It should be a special game, with two special teams, so enjoy it!

Other predictions favor Alabama, as you can see below.

The staff at Athlon Sports unanimously picks Alabama.