The first game between Alabama and LSU on November 5 was among the best games of the past few years. Two extraordinarily talented teams played each other to a standstill. The rematch will prove to be just as exciting, but expect a little more production from the offense. Kirby Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator stated that both teams played a little “gun shy” on November 5 and he does not expect that again in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.
The media hype surrounding this game has been unprecedented. There has been overflow seating assigned because the Superdome’s press box cannot accommodate everyone expected to show. Coverage began on Wednesday and runs through Tuesday with the championship trophy presentation.
Alabama won the rest of their games to advance to the title game, but LSU’s offense has undergone some changes. Jordan Jefferson has taken over as LSU’s quarterback full-time after Jarrett Lee went interception crazy during the Alabama game. Jefferson brings a different type of skill set then Jarrett Lee. He is a dual-threat quarterback and can run almost as well as he can pass.
Alabama’s defense has had some issues stopping option-based offenses this season, particularly Georgia Southern. Jefferson excels at those types of plays. A major thread of questions throughout the buildup to the game has been about how the Bama defense has prepared for the option.
If you are a fan of hard hitting, extraordinarily physical football, the BCS Championship Game is your 9th Symphony. As big as the first game was, it pales in comparison to this game. The winner will hold the crystal trophy, and will be the National Champion.
An LSU victory will put the Tigers into the argument for greatest team ever. An Alabama victory will give the Tide its 14th national title, second title in three years and further cement Alabama as one of, if not the best, college programs of all time.
The pick: Alabama 21-10
Alabama and LSU square off for the BCS Championship on Monday. Before they do, both teams have to go through plenty of rigmarole with the media. I am covering the BCS Championship for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and I will be giving daily reports on what I see and hear. If you would like up-to-the-minute updates, you may follow me on
Twitter, @ThomasHWatts, or the magazine’s primary
Twitter, @TDAlabama.
Day 1:
Wednesday January 4: There was only one media event this day. Journalists were bussed out to the airport to greet the team. Nick Saban briefly spoke to the media and three players (Trent Richardson, Dont’a Hightower and Mark Barron) were made available for questions after Coach Saban spoke. The attitude of the team was all business. The demeanor of the players was calm and focused. I can confirm that the LSU buses did have to stand aside for the Bama team buses to roll through. One LSU bus was malfunctioning.
Day 2:
Thursday, January 5: Day 2 was far busier than Day 1. LSU had a practice and a press conference where defensive players were the headliners. Alabama also practiced and had a press conference. Alabama’s press conference featured offensive players Marquis Maze, Trent Richardson, Barrett Jones, AJ McCarron and William Vlachos. They were joined by offensive coordinator Jim McElwain.
The general tone for their answers was confidence. Trent Richardson went so far as to say that the team “loved the underdog role” and that it has “put a chip on the team’s shoulder.” The Alabama practice that the media was allowed to view backed up Trent’s statements. The pads were popping during individual drills.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of potentially key injuries for the Tide. Eddie Lacey practiced with a heavily taped foot. Mark Barron was limited in contact drills and DeQuan Menzie had a large wrap on one leg. Demetrius Hart, Arie Kouandjio and Cyrus Kouandjio were all in black no-contact jerseys since they are rehabbing season-ending injuries.
Due to scheduling conflicts, I was unable to see the LSU practice or their press conference. A transcript from the press conference was provided and Jon Chavis, the LSU defensive coordinator, did praise Trent Richardson, saying he felt that his LSU defense did not do a good job containing him throughout the game on November 5.
Day 3:
Media week hit in full force on Friday. While there wasn’t a lot scheduled, what was scheduled kept writers very busy. LSU and Alabama both had their media days, which allowed reporters access to the entire team. Alabama also had a practice in the late afternoon. It was not in full pads. The players wore shoulder pads, helmets and shorts.
Media day was highlighted by UA’s Brandon Gibson and LSU’s Chris Davenport attempting to play reporter. Both teams had a good time watching Gibson and Davenport move amongst their teammates and joke around. CJ Moseley had a memorable quote in which he said that media events helped players not over prepare for a game.
Both Nick Saban and Les Miles commented about the playoff versus bowl system debate that is raging throughout college football. The most memorable quote came from DJ Fluker where he said that he is ready to begin his own legacy at Alabama since he was redshirted during Alabama’s 2009 run as opposed to starting in the 2011 game.
Day 4:
Day 4 was dedicated to press conferences. Alabama’s defense and LSU’s offense were up on this day. The defense was represented by Kirby Smart, Dont’a Hightower, Josh Chapman, Mark Barron, DeQuan Menzie and Courtney Upshaw.
It was a sleepy press conference.The print media did not ask many questions, but Hightower did have a question regarding Carson Tinker. He called Tinker the unsung hero of the season for the team.
LSU was represented by offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa, Michael Ford, Will Blackwell, JP Lonergan, Reuben Randle and Jordan Jefferson. The most shocking thing that came from the LSU press conference was that Jarrett Lee, backup quarterback since a terrible game against Alabama, may see action.
The main undertone from both the offense and the defense was the option. Alabama defensive coordinator Smart went so far as to say that the Tigers running the option would be a benefit to the Tide. LSU said to expect more option in this game because it plays into Jordan Jefferson’s skill set.
The other major media event that happened on this media day was Alabama’s hospital visit. Both the Tide and the Tigers took time out of game prep to visit a local hospital. It is an excellent gesture to the city of New Orleans.
Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the main event. In one corner, you have the McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets, a diminutive team from Mobile, Ala., with more heart and guts than reach. In the other corner, you have the Daphne Trojans, a juggernaut from Baldwin County, Ala., who has won 23 straight fights on its way to earning a second state title. The game received national hype. Rivals.com had it as their National High School Game of the Week.
Daphne passes the eye test. It features two future FBS prospects: running back T.J. Yeldon and defensive end Ryan Anderson. It is a big, fast and physical team. Yeldon, an Auburn commit, is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the state according to Rivals.com. He is on pace to break the 3,000 yard barrier for his senior season. The Daphne running back’s production has injected him into every major Mr. Football discussion for the state. Anderson is ranked as the 19th best prospect in Alabama. He received an offer from Nick Saban and committed to be part of the CrimsonTide 2012 recruiting class.