LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: 4 Overlooked Players That'll Have Huge Impacts

Any time a big game takes place, we always look at the stars, but it's often the players you'd least expect that make the biggest impact. With the BCS national championship just days away, we keep talking about the running game and the defenses. We already know what LSU and Alabama are capable of.

What about the players that aren't receiving much love? We know all about Trent Richardson, Jordan Jefferson and Tyrann Mathieu. Even on national championship teams, there are underrated players.

Here are some of the players that will likely have a huge impact on Monday's title game that nobody is talking about.

LSU P Brad Wing

You can read here why Brad Wing is arguably the most valuable player for LSU this season. But in a game that will likely be a battle of field position, how is a punter not a key player in this game?

Wing averages over 41 yards per punt, which is fifth best in the SEC and good for top 30 in the country.

Many don't even consider punters actual football players, but if Wing pins Alabama's offense deep in the Tide's own territory, it will play a huge part in a victory for the Tigers.

Alabama K Jeremy Shelley

While we're on the topic of special teams, Alabama's kicker Jeremy Shelley will play a big part of this game. In the first matchup the Crimson Tide ended up missing a total of four field goals. That's the main reason they ended up losing the game, as they lost by a field goal in overtime.

Kickers haven't had much success in the bowl season this year, but in a game where points will be hard to come by, Shelley better step up and make some field goals.

Alabama TE Brad Smelley

Senior tight end Brady Smelley hasn't exactly put up great numbers in his Alabama career, but the last two games he's really stepped up. In the game against Georgia Southern he caught four passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers were the most impressive he's ever put up in his career.

But in the last game against Auburn he followed it up with six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.

If Smelley can continue to make plays for this team, he may have one or two big plays for the Tide, that makes a huge difference in the outcome.

LSU RB Alfred Blue

The sophomore running back hasn't touched the ball a lot, but when he has, he's contributed in a big way for the Tigers. He's averaging nearly seven yards per touch and has seven touchdowns. Also, with only 78 carries, he has broken off runs of 57 yards, 48 and 45 yards.

He doesn't need a lot of carries to be effective for this team as he's shown all year. And in a game that's expected to be so tight, one big play is all it will take to become national champions.

With the focus mainly on Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, Blue could be the difference maker for the Tigers on offense.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]