Alabama vs. LSU 2012: Why Nation Will Be Shocked by BCS Title Returns

The first game between Alabama and LSU, the so-called "Game of the Century," was a hit with viewers.

Well, at least as far as numbers are concerned, anyway. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the tilt between the Tigers and the Crimson Tide back on Nov. 5 drew 18 million viewers, a pretty good turnout for a Saturday night. By comparison, the Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest game that was airing at the same time drew just three million viewers.

The only trouble is that the reviews for the Game of the Century were mixed. Fans who love defense and/or swear by the SEC gave the game, which ended with LSU winning in OT by the final of 9-6, an A+. The game was a total bust for everyone else, many of whom didn't even bother sticking around until the end.

It's not hard to decipher why so many people were turned off by the first meeting between LSU and Alabama. The game was a defensive struggle that featured no touchdowns. In fact, it featured very little offense in general. Most chalk that up to great defense. Others chalk it up to bad offense, plain and simple.

The question now is whether or not things will be any different in tonight's rematch in the BCS National Championship Game. We're still looking at two elite defenses, and we're still looking at two less-than-awesome offenses, so what's to stop us from seeing another field-goal festival?

Those who loved the first game would be just fine with that. For those who didn't, there is more hope than you may think.

While Alabama and LSU are undoubtedly going to treat us to a defensive clinic on Monday night, the game will inevitably come down to the playmakers on either side making plays. We're talking about players like Trent Richardson, Marquis Maze and Courtney Upshaw for the Tide, and players like Jordan Jefferson, Rueben Randle and Tyrann Mathieu for LSU. Whichever side makes more plays wins.

Key plays were hard to come by in the first meeting. Neither offense did much of anything, and the only time there was any real excitement was when turnovers were forced. Thankfully, there were more than a couple of those.

By comparison, things can only get better. Defense will rule the day, but it will be an utter shock if both end zones go untouched again. I would bet good money on there being at least one big scoring play, and it's also a good bet that we'll see some big plays set up scoring opportunities.

We're not about to watch a rerun of the Alamo Bowl, mind you. The final score of this game will not be something ridiculous like 50-49, but you can rest assured that we're not in for another 9-6 barn-burner.

People are going to watch this game no matter what, but word will travel fast that the Game of the Century II is a game that the masses can actually enjoy. Once the points start hitting the board, those who weren't sold on the first matchup will give these two teams another shot.

The number to beat here is not 18 million. In fact, if the title game draws fewer than 20 million, it will be an epic failure.

The number to beat here is 27.1 million. Per TVbytheNumbers.com, that's how many people watched the Oregon vs. Auburn title tilt on ESPN last year, a new record for cable television.

Given how many people were turned off by the first game, it's going to be hard for tonight's title game to top 27.1 million. But if the game is good enough, it will.

And just like that, the argument that nobody wanted to watch Alabama and LSU play again will go bye-bye.