BCS Championship 2012: Why A.J. McCarron Is Key to Alabama vs. LSU Rematch

A.J. McCarron was 16 of 28 for 199 yards with one interception in Alabama's 9-6 overtime loss to LSU on November 5.  His day certainly wasn't terrible, but his one interception was the reason LSU tied the game at 6-6 early in the fourth quarter.

The play in question was a 1st-and-10 from the Alabama 41-yard line with the Crimson Tide leading 6-3.

LSU's offense had trouble moving the ball against the Tide defense all game long and their first field goal finally came at the end of the first half on the tail end of 74-yard drive aided by two Alabama penalties on separate third downs.

Long story short, Alabama's defense was dominating LSU's offense at the time of the throw.

McCarron inexplicably decided to challenge the nation's top cornerback, Morris Claiborne, on a deep out route from the far hash.

Claiborne not only baited the throw and broke on the ball easily, but he took it 30 yards in the other direction.

The Crimson Tide defense held LSU to only two yards and forced the Tigers to kick the tying field goal.

The game wasn't decided on this throw, but it cost the Tide their lead and the defense should never have been in that position to begin with.

Alabama's sophomore quarterback finished the season strongly with six of his 16 touchdown passes coming in the final two games.

The Tide don't need him to win the game, but they need him to be the one who doesn't lose it.

LSU's secondary is stacked with talent. Accompanying the aforementioned Claiborne is Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu, Eric Reid and Brandon Taylor.

Mathieu, Reid and Taylor are the team's leading tacklers (first, second and third respectively,) and Claiborne leads the team in interceptions.

When A.J. McCarron has the opportunity to make a play in the BCS Championship Game, he needs to make sure he doesn't make that mistake again.

Alabama's defense will give them a chance to win, and it will be on A.J. McCarron's shoulders not to lose it.