10 Reasons NFL Fans Should Tune in to Watch the National Championship Game

With so much NFL playoff football going on right now, it can be hard to spend time on the other big football game being played this week.

There are many reasons NFL fans ignore the BCS National Championship game, ranging from the lack of a playoff system to perceived corruption of the kids and the sport to just plain not being able to keep up with all the schools and who matters.

However there are many reasons NFL fans should care about Monday's game between No. 1-ranked LSU and No. 3-ranked Alabama.

Here they are.

1) Top-shelf SEC football

We can argue (because it's fun) about how good the SEC is, or how much better it is than the Pac-12 or Big Eastern 10 Conglomeration Starring Pitt.

The fact is that SEC football can be incredibly fun to watch. While you may scoff at a college game comparing to the NFL (and you'd be right in many respects), the SEC will give you a good game.

If you need to keep your football jones going until next weekend, this is one of the best places to do it.

2) Second time the teams have met: the revenge factor

Back in early November, the Alabama Crimson Tide lost to the LSU Tigers in overtime, 9-6.

The Tide will be hyped up to roll all over the Tigers. They'll want to prove that they can play with the LSU team and that while they lost last time, they are no pushovers.

Actually, there's a greater motivation as well and a question we need to answer.

3) Does Alabama even deserve to be in this game?

There has been a ton of controversy and debate about whether Alabama is the team who should be playing in this game at all.

Expect a great game from them because they really don't want to hear fans of Oklahoma State, Stanford or Boise State complain that they could have played and beat LSU.

It's an answer we need to have. The BCS is the subject of its own ton of controversy and everyone watching this game will be looking to use Alabama for their own arguments. If they win, BCS supporters will say the system works.

If they lose, even if it's close, BCS detractors, all three of the above schools will be beating the drums very loud about how 'Bama never should have had a second shot at the Tigers.

4) Will not be as low-scoring as believed

I know that the previous game's score of 9-6 is a little......underwhelming to say the least.

This will not be that game again.

Alabama averaged 36 points a game this season while LSU averaged 41 a game.

It's not a sure thing. We're talking about two of the best defenses in College Football. It can be done though.

5) Ton of NFL prospects

Tune into this game and you will get an eyeful of NFL prospects. Some will be more immediate, and some aren't poised to leave for the pros anytime soon, but there are a lot of guys you can watch.

There are just under two dozen players who between the two teams which will be coming out in the next two years.

Here are some of the guys trying to make a last-minute impression before the Draft process kicks off. 

6) Trent Richardson, Alabama RB

We know the Heisman Trophy nominee can play. Expect the LSU Tigers to try to stop him and force the Tide to throw.

People bring it against Richardson every week. He has a chance on the highest stage to show us one more time what he has. Expect some great effort from him.

7) Alabama Secondary - Mark Barron (SS), Robert Lester (FS)

Even though they run a lot, LSU is likely to attack the secondary, so Barron and Lester will see plenty of action. They'll also have a chance to show us what they can do to defend against the tough rushing attack of Michael Ford and Spencer Ware. 

8) LSU Secondary - Maurice Claiborne (CB)

Usually, the Tide tries to wear down a defense with Richardson and then attack the secondary. Claiborne will see some action, and a solid game from him could really help his stock.

9) LSU DE Sam Montgomery

While he is staying in school for another year, Montgomery is still tremendous defensive lineman and worth noting throughout the game. He's likely to be a top pick when he does come out and is a player you should watch and get to know now. 

10) Senior Bowl preview for LSU Talent

Brandon Taylor, Will Blackwell and DeAngelo Peterson all have been invited to the Senior Bowl in Mobile (which I'll be at as credentialed media) but they are definitely guys you should start tracking now.

All of the players will have a chance to shine at the Combine and Pro Days, but nothing will leave an impression like a National Championship game. This is the last time that these players will play in a game which matters.

If they are going to shine, this is it.

The problem this game has is that many college fans believe that this game isn't the one we should be watching.

There's plenty of reasons to enjoy it, though, and plenty of talent to enjoy.