Fans who vehemently disputed that Alabama (12-1) did not deserve a rematch against LSU (13-1) were forced to eat their words after Monday night’s Allstate BCS National Championship.

The Crimson Tide’s November 5 9-6 home overtime loss to the Tigers in “The Game of the Century” was completely forgotten after an overwhelmingly dominating 21-0 victory, this time around in New Orleans. As a result, Alabama received 55 of the 60 first-place AP votes following their second title game victory in three years.

One first-place vote was given to #2 LSU, while third ranked Oklahoma State (12-1) earned a total of 4. Alabama head coach Nick Saban became only the 10^th coach to ever win three national titles – as well as the first to do so in the BCS era. “We didn’t do a lot different,” said Saban. “We did some things on offense formationally. Our offensive team did a great job. Defensively, we just played well, played the box. Our special teams did a great job.”

Four combined missed field goals by Jeremy Shelley and Cade Foster cost them the previous matchup, but Shelley’s 5-7 night brought about a lot more than just redemption on the biggest stage of all. However, at the end of the day, the ultra-stingy Alabama defense was the focal point.

“This defense is built on stopping them, and that’s what we did,” said Courtney Upshaw, who was named defensive MVP. “We wanted to come out and show the world we beat ourselves the first game. We wanted to come out and dominate from start to finish, and that’s what we did.”

Alabama unquestionably lived up to their billing as the number one defense in the country – surrendering just 53 passing yards to quarterback Jordan Jefferson, along with a measly 39 to him and his entire rushing unit. LSU didn’t even make it into ‘Bama territory or convert a 3^rd down until the final quarter. They went a meager 2-12 on 3^rd down and had just five first downs in comparison to Alabama’s 21.

The shutout was the most impressive accomplishment of all. Before this game, no team had ever been held scoreless in a BCS Bowl. One would have to look back 20 years to discover the last championship game shutout occurred – Miami over Nebraska in the 1992 Orange Bowl (pre-BCS).

Things got so ugly for the Tigers offense that questions arose as to whether or not head coach Les Miles would eventually pull Jefferson and go with Jarrett Lee instead; though, to the curiosity of many, he never did.

Miles eluded to Jefferson’s athletic ability against the super quick Alabama defense as the main reason for leaving him in. Lee’s one touchdown and seven interceptions in four career games against the Crimson Tide probably had something to do with the decision as well. Alabama went into the half with a 9-0 lead thanks to 23, 34, and 41 yard field goals from Shelley. His only miss prior to halftime came on a blocked 42 yard attempt early in the 2^nd.

LSU remained very much in the game even after C.J. Mosely intercepted a Jefferson shovel pass at the LSU 27 with the score 12-0 early in the 3^rd. The Tigers gave up nothing off the turnover following a 41 yard missed kick by Shelley. A career long 44 yard field goal by Shelley towards the end of the quarter made it a 15-0 game. LSU finally began to move the ball in the 4th, until a strip sack of Jefferson on 4^th and 18 gave Alabama starting position at midfield.

Senior, Trent Richardson’s 34 yard touchdown sprint down the left sideline made it a 3 possession game and ended LSU’s hopes with 4:36 remaining. But it was a sophomore who ironically led Alabama throughout. A.J. McCarron threw the ball much more than expected with 34 attempts. Twenty-three completions, 234 yards, and one Offensive MVP Award later, he became the first underclassman to ever win the BCS Championship.

Elite senior receiver and punt returner Marquis Maze would not return with a hamstring pull suffered on an early 1^st quarter return. Sophomore, Kevin Norwood and senior Darius Hanks stepped up though, combining for 136 yards on 9 receptions. And while offense may sell tickets, we learned once again that a relentless defense like this still wins championships. “The whole defense is the MVP,” said Upshaw in front of the crowd. “The whole defense. Roll Tide, baby. Roll Tide!”

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A look of anguish and despair was spread across the student section of the Alabama Crimson Tide crowd. The LSU Tigers were in range for an overtime, game-winning field goal, and their kicker was not about to miss the biggest kick of his career.

In a late night showdown with strong BCS implications, defense was prominent and touchdowns were scarce. Actually, there were no touchdowns, only field goal attempts, misses and makes. In the biggest game of each team’s season, the coaches each banked on one player — or in Alabama’s case, two — the kicker, and LSU’s kicker came out victorious last night.

While RB Trent Richardson, a surefire Heisman trophy candidate, came out of the gates with two electrifying plays, LSU’s stingy defense held him to just 89 yards on 23 carries; no touchdowns. And it would be Bama’s defense that held Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson, two established LSU QB’s, to a menial 91 combined passing yards and two interceptions; no touchdowns.

The two offenses struggled all night to put points on the board, but in the end it would be Special Teams that made or broke each team. And LSU’s special teams more than crippled the Crimson Tide.

Alabama failed to capitalize on several opportunities to take the lead by failing to knock down field goals. Their so-called distance kicker, Cade Foster, missed field goals from 52, 50 and 44, and their close-range kicker, Jeremy Shelly, had his low 49-yard attempt blocked. While they weren’t easy kicks, Foster wasn’t even close on any of his attempts, missing wide right almost every time.

That’s where LSU Kicker, David Alleman, reigned supreme. Alleman missed not a single kick, hitting all three of his attempts, including the overtime try that solidified the Tigers as the best team in college football.

When all is said and done, this was a game for the ages, but do we really want a rematch?

With all of the hype that was built up on the No. 1 vs. No. 1 showdown, the offenses definitely failed to excite. While it’s true that defense wins championships, it is offense that gets the crowds riled up and creates undying buzz for the team. Sure, A.J. McCarron threw for 199 yards, and sure LSU had 149 combined rushing yards, but no one got into the endzone.

Do these two teams really deserve to bore the fans again with a rematch at the BCS championship? Leave a comment and sound off, but this writer would rather see a potent Boise State offense take on a dominant LSU defense.

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