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Some said 'Bama didn't belong, some said LSU was to strong. The last time they played each other it was one of the most boring games in SEC history. Two football teams matched up and put up a baseball score. Surely it wouldn't happen again? Could the final game of the college football season for 2011 end up in a kickers duel?
Well it almost happened and as boring as the first meeting between these two games this game was close.
Alabama came into the game with lots to prove, like deserving to be there. Avenging a loss from earlier in the season where they put up yards but couldn't find the endzone. 'Bama also wanted to show everyone they should be there after a vote that had them below OSU in the polls. The SEC bias pushed its ugly head thru and put TWO SEC teams in the national championship game.
LSU was trying to become the first team to beat four top 5 ranked teams since Notre Dame did that in the mid 1940's. LSU had beat most silly all season, had an amazing defense a highlight reel offense and special teams that made many hold their breath. They were no doubt the best team in the land. The only question after the SEC championship game was...who would they play.
Flash back to 2006, #1 Ohio St. hosted #2 Michigan, the game was back and forth, showed flashes of amazing offense. It also had a feat that had only happened one time in Ohio St history, the Buckeye fans took a moment of silence for Michigan's legendary coach who had passed only hours before kickoff. Bo had passed and the bitter rivals showed respect. Ohio St. won the game 41 to 39. That was the last game of the season in the Big 10, the writers spoke and what they said only held true for that year.
There would be no rematch! Michigan didn't get to play them again. But why did 'Bama get a shot at LSU again? Why not give it to Oklahoma St.? Well they lost to a lessor team on a field goal and it was clear 'Bama and LSU were the two best teams in the land.
The giants of the SEC matched up with 44 days to prepare. To put that into perspective, they will start spring ball sooner than the time it was between games from 'Bama last opponent til the BCS title game.
It started out much like the last one left off, Defense ruled the day, well mostly by 'Bama but even with LSU's defense being on the field for most of the 1st half, a Kicker was front and center of the scoring. At the half it was 9-0 'Bama. So thru 6+qtrs of football, we hadn't seen a touchdown and watched "non football players" put the only points up in these two games.
The second half led to much of the same, 'Bama moved the ball but settled for field goals and the LSU offense struggled to the tune of 91 yards in offense on 44 plays. LSU only mustered 5 1st downs and sadly ran only 4 plays on 'Bama's side of the 50.
All night, LSU struggled on offense and 'Bama dominated on defense. LSU's QB Jefferson was horrible and couldn't hit his passes all night. The vertical passing from the start was doomed and LSU never adjusted to 'Bama's defense.
So much was wrong with this game. It was the 1st BCS shutout, the 1st time a #1 team had been shutout since 1996. A kicker was the most dominate figure in the game and even thou there was an, oh by the way touchdown scored in the 4th qtr. by one of the two Heisman runner up, neither "honeybadge" or Richardson had a huge impact on the game. (Yes I know Richardson scored the TD but wasn't the game a forgone conclusion by that point?)
It was an ugly game all night long and as a football fan, I have to say it was boring. Very boring. We were within 10 minutes of seeing the last TD of the season scored by the ill placed GoDaddy.com Bowl which featured a MAC team. That game didn't have the stakes that the BCS did but was much more exciting.
Maybe it's time for a playoff system in FBS!
Oh, Roll Tide! Congratulations to a remarkable team for winning the 2011 National Championship.
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