LSU vs. Alabama Predictions: 4 Under-the-Radar Guys That Could Emerge as Stars

LSU and Alabama enter Monday night's BCS National Championship Game loaded with talented players on both sides of the ball.

The Tigers have the best defense in the nation, and the Tide are not far behind. Both squads feature a plethora of NFL talent on the defensive side.

Offensively, both teams will need to find playmakers. Trent Richardson is a bona fide NFL star for the Tide, but not much stands out otherwise for either team.

That means under-the-radar players will need to emerge if this game does not want to end 9-6, as it did in Week 10.

Here are four under-the-radar players to watch in Monday night's championship game:

Odell Beckham, WR

Odell Beckham had 36 catches, 437 yards and two receiving touchdowns this season.

Beckham is a true freshman and spent his season playing second fiddle to Rueben Randle in the Tiger receiving core.

He doesn't possess the big body of Randle, but he is quick on the outside. He is tough enough to work underneath against the strong Tide defense.

Alabama's defense isn't going to get beat solely by the Tigers' rushing attack. Someone must emerge as a playmaker through the air.

With a lot of attention focused on Randle, look for Beckham to break out on Monday night.

Eddie Lacy, RB

Eddie Lacy would probably start for anyone other than Alabama. However, he sits behind Trent Richardson in Tuscaloosa.

Lacy managed to rack up over 600 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season. Providing this sort of production behind the best running back in the nation makes the Tide ground attack nearly impossible to stop.

He runs hard between the tackles and uses his 220-pound frame to explode through defenders. Lacy lacks Richardson's quickness, but his north-south abilities will wear down the Tiger defense.

Richardson can't run every play, especially against this Tiger front four. Lacy will get his touches and could definitely take advantage Monday night in New Orleans.

Kenny Hilliard, RB

Kenny Hilliard only had 320 yards on the ground, but he did provide eight rushing touchdowns for the Tigers this season.

LSU has four quality running backs, and they use all four of them in certain situations. Hilliard is the running back of choice in short yardage and goal-line situations.

Hilliard is a great downhill runner because of his 240-pound frame. He is a massive back and will be tough to tackle even for the Tide's outstanding defensive players.

The Tiger backfield is tough to get a beat on. Opposing defenses must prepare for four running backs with different styles.

Considering the toughness and speed of the Tide defense, Hilliard's toughness may be needed to carve out some ground yardage.

Josh Chapman, DT

Josh Chapman didn't have a big year on the stat sheet. He had 22 tackles and one sack on the season.

However, Chapman's impact could be felt against the Tigers. He provides an anchor in the middle of the Bama defensive line with his 310-pound body.

The Tigers will throw a stable of running backs—and Jordan Jefferson—at the Tide's front seven. If they want to hold up, the defensive line will need to eat blocks and allow the linebackers to roam free.

Chapman is a space eater with a quick first step. He can do his job by holding the point of attack and making sure the Tigers' rushing attack doesn't get anything easy.