LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: How Will the Game Affect the Futures of Both Programs?

The No. 1 LSU Tigers (13-0, 9-0 SEC) are getting ready to take on the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1, 7-1 SEC) this Monday in the National Title game. The Tigers and Tide have become two of the most elite programs in all of college football.

This championship game shows what level of elite talent that has come over the SEC as a whole. Both of these teams have become increasingly unstoppable on the recruiting trail as well as the field.

Being in the major spotlight that these teams find themselves in, a win or a loss here could provide a mixture of results.

While both teams will no doubt benefit from having the exposure that will come from the title game, will the loser suffer from bad exposure?

After all, there is no such thing as bad exposure supposedly, but losing in the biggest game of the season against not only a conference rival but a major recruiting rival can’t be a positive. There isn’t much spin that can be attributed to that fact.

The spotlight that is being projected upon these two programs is hearty to say the least, so there is some positive coverage that is spread around, but being the winner in the national title game versus the loser in the national title game makes a difference.

At this point, there is no telling who will win the rematch that is just over the horizon but there are some obvious waves of change that will follow the game. Both teams have a bright future beyond Monday evening, but this game should affect both teams in a positive way. 

LSU Tigers

LSU has been built back into a dynasty in college football. Nick Saban started the rise with his national title there in 2003, and Les Miles has continued to build the legendary status for the school.

This year’s Tigers are one of the best to have suited up in the purple and gold, which is why it is scary to think that the majority of those players will return next season.

The Tigers go into this game fully expecting to win and to return to the title within the next season. They have a stable full of talent and the majority of their major playmakers have eligibility remaining after this season.

LSU will look to the future with a bright hope no matter the outcome of the game. The Tigers have built a stable of success and will look to continue with that success into 2012. This title run is what should be one of many in the next few seasons.

Whether a win or a loss is in the future for the Tigers, just being in the game will help them stay in the minds of recruits. The Tigers have a lot to offer young players, predominantly a winning tradition and the tools to win immediately upon arrival.

This game has and will continue to provide the Tigers with a platform to grow the program and continue to push the Tigers' success well into the future.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama heads into this bowl game with a lot of hope riding on a win. The Crimson Tide is one of the most talented teams in the country and the Tide continue to reload with recruiting, but after this season, it may be a while before the Tide return to the top. A while being a few years.

Alabama has one of the richest traditions in college football, and they hope that this game will continue to pile onto that tradition. At this point, just being in the game adds to that tradition and helps build a future in the recruiting hot bed that has become the South.

For the Tide, this game brings nothing but advantages as well. A loss will not be the best result, as the Tigers would like to use that leverage in the recruiting game, but the publicity, as noted above, is a much-needed help as the exposure brings attention to the program.

The Tide will look to continue to rebuild the program under Nick Saban after this class of impact players departs. The Tide has a wealth of talent waiting in the wings, but again, they lose a wealth of experience after this season concludes.

Positive or Negative impacts?

At the end of the day, the impact from the title game will be positive for both teams. Expect that the winner will receive a little more edge than the loser, but both teams will surely benefit from the focus that the nation is putting on them this week.

The Tigers and Tide will look to use the success that has placed them on the field for the last game of the season to project success onto the recruiting trail and into the future of the program.

The effect of the game on these teams will be purely positive as both will look to stay at the top of the college football landscape well into the future.