BCS Championship 2012: X Factors Who Will Decide National Title Game

When two teams as talented as Alabama and LSU collide, the premier talents often cancel each other out. This can especially be the case in rematches like the one we have in the BCS title game.

In those situations, the less covered and less ballyhooed players must step up to help their teams claim victory. It was even the case in the first matchup as Alabama's failures on special teams played a huge role in their losing the "Game of the Century."

This time, the elements that will help decide the outcome of the game have a special teams flavor as well. Here are three X-factors for the BCS National Championship Game:

Cade Foster

Yes, he is probably going to be on the hot seat again. In a defensively dominated matchup, kickers almost always have to come up big. This time Foster will be up to the challenge. His NFL career literally depends on it. If Foster is to have any shot of having a career, he must be solid in the title game.

Tyrann Mathieu

The Honey Badger's impact will most likely be felt in the return game. Alabama offensive players will be looking for him to go for the strip. He has the ability to be a dynamic return man, and the Tide must be disciplined to limit Mathieu's impact as a return man.

Quarterback Play

It isn't often that a game with two premier teams aren't lead by the signal-callers. Such is the case with Bama and LSU. A.J. McCarron and Jarrett Lee are essentially game managers, with McCarron having a little more autonomy to go down the field.

The defenses and running games dominate these two teams. The QB that is able to make plays in this game will do a ton towards winning the game for their team.