The BCS system has been in question since it started. This may be the most controversial year yet as the top 2 teams could come from the same division of the SEC conference. The fact that they are in the same conference isn’t as hard to swallow as the fact that the Alabama Crimson Tide will neither be a conference of division winner. Many college football experts will argue that their one loss was by just 3 points to the number 1 team in the nation, but that doesn’t ease the pain for teams like Oklahoma St, Virginia Tech and Stanford.
LSU has clearly established themselves as the best team in the nation with a convincing win over the 3rd ranked Arkansas Razorbacks Friday night. Playing in the SEC Championship will far more than a formality, but it looks as though there isn’t anyone in the East division that can handle what they bring to the table. So the million dollar question is, “which team is most deserving of playing them”? By all indications it looks like Alabama will be that team provided they take care of business against the reigning National Champion Auburn Tigers on Saturday. Auburn has lost the majority of the key components from that Championship team including quarterback Cam Newton who was selected with the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft . However, the Tigers have exceeded NCAA football handicappers predictions this season, and have the potential to pull off the upset if things go their way.
A look at Auburn’s stats this season will not have you thinking that they have any chance at being competitive against the Tide tomorrow, but they’ve managed to take down a pair of top-25 teams and would love to end their regular season with a win over one of their biggest rivals. Sophomore quarterback Clint Moseley has done a nice job filling in for Barrett Trotter . Auburn has gone 3-2 since, and has put themselves in a position to go to a bowl game. The Tigers running game has been the reason why they’ve managed to keep games close, and pull off 3 wins as underdogs.
Michael Dyer has been a force running the ball, and will be doing his best to wear down the Crimson Tide defense on Saturday. Dyer has rushed for almost 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns, but it’s the help from Ontario McCaleeb that has the Tigers running game ranked 36th in the country. Being able to move the chains will come down to this duo, and could play a big part in the outcome of this match-up.
If you didn’t know the BCS scenario and looked at the Alabama resume’, you’d think that they were more than worthy of playing for the title game. Their only loss may have been at home, but it was to the top ranked team in the country, and they only allowed 9 points. Bama’s defense is certainly not the problem as they are currently ranked #1 in the country. Allowing 8.4 points per game is incredibly hard to do, but the Crimson Tide have managed to not allow any team light up the scoreboard on them.
A.J. MCCarron will not win any passing titles, but he does a tremendous job of leading this offense, and limiting turnovers. It’s no secret that this offense operates with a ground and pound mentality, and Trent Richardson couldn’t be a better example on how to execute that philosophy. Richardson has been in the race for the Heisman trophy since before the season started, and has gained ground on the leaders over the last few weeks. Expect a solid performance in his last regular season game as he helps the Tide put a stamp on what has been a tremendous 2011 season. Tune in Saturday for this SEC top-25 showdown.
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