BCS Championship 2012: Alabama Will Not Need To Rely on Field Goals To Beat LSU

The regular season matchup between Alabama and LSU was nothing short of a field goal kicking contest after stifling defense took center stage.

LSU came out ahead after their placekicker, Drew Alleman, was able to knock home all three of his attempts, including the game winner in overtime.

Alabama would have won the game if Cade Foster, who went one for four, had just made one more of his tries during regulation time.

Backup and short-distance specialist Jeremy Shelley had a chance to win it as well, but saw his second attempt blocked.

That was the story of that November game, but it won’t repeat itself in the BCS Championship game this Monday.

Alabama coach Nick Saban has had plenty of time to review the tape and figure out how his offense can overcome the weaker parts of the LSU defense.

The long rest has given him time to prepare his biggest strength—the smothering defense—to put the Crimson Tide in position to score touchdowns.

It won’t be easy and there won’t be many, but Alabama is going to score TDs on the Tigers tomorrow night.

Running back Trent Richardson is simply too strong, fast and elusive to be denied pay dirt once again, and if he can get help from his offensive line then there is no reason to not expect him to punch one in.

It will help if QB A.J. McCarron can make throws against stacked boxes designed to stop the run and he also has a chance to be a difference maker.

Saban knows that he can not be forced to lean on his kicker with the title on the line and should be more willing to take chances and possibly even go for it on some fourth downs rather than take a long kick.

He’s one of the smartest coaches in the game and will make sure the Tide roll with the national championship up for grabs.