How the West Will be Won

No matter who you are, whether you are a sports fan or not, you must have heard about the event going on this Saturday night in Tuscaloosa: #1 LSU vs. #2 Alabama.  As one of the most anticipated regular season college football games in recent history, if not ever, this will be one to remember.  The last time we had this scenario was back in 2006, (also known as the last time the Big Ten was relevant) when #2 Michigan played at #1 Ohio State.  This was before I went to Wisconsin so I was not an extreme fanatic about college football.  However, I recall where I watched the game, who I watched the game with and what I ate during the game.   That is what we can expect out of Saturday night.

Will the Wizard (Les Miles) lead LSU to
victory on Saturday night?

                Both teams possess two of the best defenses in the country and quite possibly some of the best defenses we have ever seen.  Looking at each team’s yards per game, one might think they lack fire power on offense.   However this is not the case, each team has scored over 30 points in each game but one.  They have beaten up on their opponents a collective 629 – 147 which include 8 games against top 25 teams. 

 I have not watched every game but I can tell you that the lack of yards has to do with great field position or turnovers caused by the defense. This is clearly evident when looking at each team’s toughest test (arguably).  LSU’s first game of the season was against #3 Oregon.  LSU had less than 300 yards and were outgained by the Duck’s, yet they won by 2 scores.  Reason being, 5 of 7 scoring drives started within Oregon’s territory.   A few weeks back Alabama played the Gators, who were ranked number 12 at the time.  4 of the 6 scoring drives scored by the Tide were either defensive or less than 66 yards. 

Can Richardson have a Heisman type of a night, similar
to Troy Smith's in the last #1 vs. #2 regular season match-up

                Although, both these teams contain future NFL players all over the field, each side has one player that steals the show.   For the Tide, they have Heisman hopeful, Trent Richardson.  With over 1,200 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns, Richardson is giving Stanford’s Andrew Luck a run for his money.  He is the complete package and does a great job wearing down a defense right before breaking a tackle to find the open field.  He has 20+ yard runs in 6 out of the 8 games so far this season.  On the opposite side of the field, LSU has Tyrann Mathieu, the Honey Badger.  Even as a defensive player, Tyrann is making such an impact that he too was being considered for the Heisman prior to his suspension.  Tyrann also has the ability to change the outcome of a game.  If he is not coming up with a big tackle, he is causing a turnover and then finding the end zone. 

                At this point, I have made no compelling argument for either team to come out ahead.  Traditionally when this is the case, I would give the home team the advantage.  Regardless of matchup look at all the other BCS hopefuls who fell on the road this season; Wisconsin (sigh…), Clemson, Michigan, Oklahoma (Oh wait, they lost at home to a 28 point dog).  So one would think no brainer, Alabama by 3.  This would be the case for every other college football team out there, except LSU.  They are 30 -1 in their lost 31 night road games, 19 of which came against ranked opponents.

Will Tyrann find the end-zone for a third
time this season?

Usually when the teams are this even, I would predict a win for the team who has home field advantage.  Looking back on the season, so many other BCS hopefuls have already fallen out of the road (Wisconsin (sigh…), Clemson, Michigan, Oklahoma (Oh wait, they lost at home to a 28 point dog)) Therefore,  one would think it’s a no brainer to take Alabama by 3.  However, that’s not the case with LSU.  They are 30-1 in road night games, 19 of which came against be ranked opponents.        

I have no idea how the SEC West will be won but I am pumped to watch the battle.  Many analysts as well as fans are considering this to be the National Championship Game.  Although, the raising of the crystal ball is still two months away, there is no doubt in my mind that one of these two teams will be holding it.  The champion might not even be this Saturday’s winner, because who knows, we might see a rematch in New Orleans.