2012 BCS National Championship Odds


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The 2012 BCS National Championship Game will be an all SEC showdown, as the No. 1 LSU Tigers take on the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide. This will be a rematch of one of the best games this season, as thee Tigers went into Tuscaloosa and knocked off the Crimson Tide 9-6 in overtime.  This will be the first time in BCS history that two teams will rematch in the title game and the first time two teams from the same conference face off in a BCS bowl game. The matchup between Alabama and LSU also ensures that the SEC will win a sixth consecutive BCS title.

Taking a look at the college football bowl lines, oddsmakers currently have LSU favored by 1-point over Alabama with the total set at 40 points.

The first meeting between these two teams was a straight up defensive slugfest. Neither team could do much of anything offensively. Alabama had 295 yards of total offense to LSU’s 239 yards. Both teams turned the ball over twice, and neither team was able to find the endzone. The game was decided by the kicking game. LSU’s Drew Alleman connected on all three of his field goal attempts, while Alabama’s Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley combined to go just 2 of 6.

Alabama:

Some might argue that Alabama already got their chance at LSU, and it should be Oklahoma State playing in their spot, but if you look close enough its hard to argue with the decision that was made. Alabama would have never went on the road and lost to a team like Iowa State. In fact, the Crimson Tide completely dominated every other game they played, including a 16-point win at Penn State, 24-point win over Arkansas, 28-point win at Florida, and a 28-point win at Auburn.

The Crimson Tide feature one of the nation’s best rushing attacks, behind one of the best backs in the country in Trent Richardson. The junior led the SEC with 1,583 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns and his 1,583 yards were sixth best of any player in the country. Richardson had just 89 yards on 23 attempts the first time these two teams faced off, but is more than capable of topping those numbers the second time around.

Most of the Tigers offense against LSU came from sophomore quarterback A.J. McCarron, who went 16 of 28 for 199 yards. McCarron did throw an interception, but for the most part played extremely well against the Tigers defense. Wide out Marquis Maze also had an interception in the loss, as his trick pass out of the wildcat formation was picked off at the 1-yard line.

Defensively Alabama couldn’t have played much better against LSU. They  did give up 148 rushing yards, but made every play that needed to be made. Both of Alabama’s field goals that they made were set up by interceptions from the defense. The key for the Tigers will be to not allow any big plays, and hope the offense can do a much better job of converting inside LSU territory.

LSU:

A lot of people had their doubts about LSU this season, especially coming into the year. Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson was suspended before the season even started. That wouldn’t slow down the Tigers, as backup Jarrett Lee led LSU to a 40-27 win over then No. 3 Oregon in the first game of the season, knocked off then No. 25 Mississippi State 19-6 on the road, and went into West Virginia and beat the Mountaineers 47-21. Jefferson would return and has pretty much won back the starting job after splitting time with Lee for most of the season.

Regardless of who is at quarterback, the Tigers offense is built on their rushing attack. LSU comes into the game with the 17th ranked ground game in the nation, averaging 215.2 ypg. The Tigers don’t just have one back who they send at opposing defenses. Michael Ford finished with 755 yards and seven touchdowns, Spencer Ware had 700 yards and eight scores, Alfred Blue rushed for 539 yards and seven touchdowns, and Kenny Hilliard added 320 yards and eight touchdowns.

If the Tigers do throw the ball, there’s a good chance it will go to junior Rueben Randle, who had a team best 50 receptions for 904 yards and eight touchdowns. The only other player with more than 200 yards receiving was freshman Odell Beckham, who grabbed 36 passes for 437 yards.

LSU attempted just 17 passes the first time the played Alabama. It took them 41 attempts to run for 148 yards. This Alabama defense leads the nation against the run (74.9 ypg) and the pass (116.3 ypg). LSU is going to need someone to step up and make a big play in this game, whether it come from the offense, or Tyrann Mathieu in the return game.

Betting Trends:

Alabama is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.

LSU is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 bowl games.

Predicted Score: LSU 21, Alabama 20

Be sure to stop back and check out who Steve Janus has picked to win this college football bowl season.

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Comments

3 Responses to “2012 BCS National Championship Odds”

  1. Matt on January 1st, 2012 5:31 PM

    Alabama played the 80th ranked schedule in the league, so to rank them no.1 in the nation in defense is false comment, if you are ranking strength of schedule, LSU 20th in the nation, and played Oregon, West Virginia, and Georgia. Oregon is playing in the Rose Bow, WV in the Orange Bowl, and Georgia in the Outback, so strength of schedule LSU has the best defense. Whats really funny is that Bama thinks they beat some good teams after they lost to LSU,actually Auburn is okay, they played Mississippi State and Georgia Southern….. yep a real tough team…LOL, and Bama’s defense let them score 3 tds….LSU no.1 Defense in the country strength of schedule… and beating Bama the 1st time, by 3, so law of averages, but you know they can have the best defense, but LSU wins the game again…… National Champions…

  2. Donald Cox on January 6th, 2012 4:01 AM

    LSU, will make more mistakes and get more penalities than BAMA and will lose the game by Three BaMA is more disaplined, than LSLU.

  3. EDDIE CLARK on January 9th, 2012 4:08 PM

    I RESIDE IN BAMA, LIVE AND BREATHE CRIMSON TIDE BUT I HONESTLY FEEL THIS ONE IS TO CLOSED TO CALL.

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