Alabama vs. LSU: 5 Reasons Rematch Will Be a Thriller

When LSU and Alabama face of in the 2012 BCS National Championship game Monday night in The Big Easy, it has the makings of being a thrilling game.

The two teams are so evenly matched that it took a field goal in overtime for LSU to top 'Bama earlier in the season.

But this game has the potential to go down in the history books for other reasons than just how they matchup on paper.

Here's a list of five reasons why the LSU-'Bama rematch is going to be a thriller.

5. Defensive Fanatics Will Get a Breath of Fresh Air

For all those college football fans who appreciate defensive struggles, this bowl season has been a living nightmare.

Oklahoma State and Stanford had a combined score of 79. Oregon and Wisconsin had a combined score of 83. West Virginia and Clemson combined for 103 points. Worst of all, or best depending on your outlook, Baylor and Washington combined for 123 points.

The list truly goes on and on. It makes you wonder if the defenses even decided to make the trip this season.

But the matchup between LSU and Alabama will deviate from the norm. The Tigers and the Crimson Tide have the two best defenses in the nation.

The last time they faced off in the regular season, there were 15 points scored between the two of them. Expect more of the same tonight.

4. Plenty of College and NFL Talent

The lack of star power in this game will not be a problem tonight.

Each team has an abundance of star players on both sides of the ball. On Alabama's roster, Trent Richardson, Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick could all be first round picks in the 2012 NFL draft.

On the other side, LSU's Ruben Randall, Morris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu and Brad Wing all have NFL potential.

With so many star players on the field during the biggest game of the year, there will be a big play waiting to happen on every snap. When this is the case, how can the game not be thrilling?

3. Special Teams Could Be Special

In a game where defense trumps all, special teams could be the deciding factor in the end.

We all know about the special return abilities of Tyrann Mathieu. He has the potential to change the game on any moment, especially on special teams. He has two punt returns for touchdowns, as well as two fumble recoveries for touchdowns.

Brad Wing, the punter for LSU, is also probably the most accurate punter in the country.

So even though LSU will probably have the advantage on special teams, that doesn't mean Alabama is short of talent in that aspect of the game.

As you can see from Marquis Maze's punt return for a touchdown earlier in the year, Alabama has athletes on special teams who have the ability to take one to the house.

In a game where points will be hard to come by, special teams could be the difference in the game.

2. It Will Be Rematch of Two Best Teams in the Country

Let's face it. Alabama and LSU are the two best teams in the country and deserve to play for the title.

It took a while for me to accept it because I was in favor of giving Oklahoma State a shot to take down LSU. However, Alabama lost to the No. 1 team in the country in overtime, while Oklahoma State lost to an unranked Iowa State team late in the season.

Whether you like it or not, and mostly everyone who roots for a team outside of the SEC doesn't like it, Alabama deserved another shot to take down LSU because they have the bet chance of beating them.

1. There Is No Clear-Cut Favorite

For the first time since 2006—when Texas and USC played in the national title game—there is no clear-cut favorite to win the game.

Even though LSU has already beaten Alabama this year, the Crimson Tide could've very well come out on top. It took a field goal in overtime for LSU to win in the regular season.

The Tigers defense gets all the publicity for being the best in the country, but Alabama's defense is technically better when looking at the stats. 'Bama's defense led the nation in rush defense, pass defense, scoring defense and total defense.

No team since Oklahoma in 1986 has led the nation in all four categories.

These teams are equally as good as one another and evenly matched. This game has the potential to be a very thrilling national championship.