LSU vs. Alabama: No. 1 vs. No. 2 Matchup Is Set in Stone

The second edition of the BCS rankings has been released. At the top, there are no surprises. LSU and Alabama each grabbed a lopsided victory in Week 8, and held onto their top two spots in the BCS standings. Because each team has a bye in Week 9, the No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup for Week 10 is set. Two weeks of media hype. Two weeks for each team to prepare for the biggest game of the college football season.

No. 1 LSU Tigers (8-0) vs. No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0)

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL.

When: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8:00 p.m. EST

TV: CBS

Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network, WJOX 94.5 FM-Alabama

Live Stream: CBSSports.com

Last season's matchup: The LSU Tigers pulled the upset on No. 6 Alabama last season. The Tigers defeated the Tide 24-21. The Tigers' victory hinged on a huge fourth and short call in the fourth quarter. DeAngelo Peterson broke a reverse 23 yards, and set up Stevan Ridley for the go-ahead score. Standout Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson had just six carries for 28 yards backing up Mark Ingram.

What is at stake: The BCS is structured and unforgiving. Regardless of past success, a loss at this point in the season is crippling to a teams' national championship aspirations. This colossal Week 10 matchup is going to send one team home with a loss and probably knock them out of the title picture.

The Tigers and the Tide both play knock-'em-down, drag-'em-out football. Their defenses punch you in the mouth early and both teams are extremely well coached. The stakes could not be higher in this battle between the two best teams in the nation. Win, and raise the coveted trophy at the end of the season. Or, lose and wonder what could have been.

Suspended LSU players?: LSU was missing three regular contributors from their Week 8 victory over Auburn. Cornerbacks Tharold Simon and Tyrann Mathieu, along with starting running back Spencer Ware all missed the game because of team discipline issues. According to the Sporting News, LSU fans can breath easy. The Honey Badger will be back on defense, and Ware's north-south presence will be there to boost the offense.

LSU Player to Watch: Morris Claiborne may not have the hip nickname attached to fellow cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. Don't let that fool you. Claiborne has 30 tackles this season and three interceptions. He stands 6'1'' and uses that frame to body up with bigger, physical receivers. This game will be highly-contested. One big play on defense could make a difference. The Tigers will look to Clairborne to dial it up.

Alabama Player to Watch: A.J. McCarron must manage the game against this ferocious LSU front four. Trent Richardson is dynamic, but it is not likely that he will run all over this Tiger defense. McCarron does not need to take this game over, but he must stretch the field enough to keep LSU's defense honest. A balanced attack on offense is the only possible defense against the always-attacking Tigers.

LSU wins if... The Tigers will hold their No. 1 ranking if Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson can maintain stability on offense. Rueben Randle will need to find space down the field. Spencer Ware and Michael Ford must try and wear down Alabama's front seven. Defensively, the Tigers know what to do.

Alabama wins if... Alabama has home-field advantage. With so little separating these two teams on paper, that could play a huge role in this game. The Crimson Tide will need big plays down the field from their passing offense or Richardson will not be successful on the ground. Without an offense, it doesn't matter how good the Tide defense is.

Key Matchup: Alabama's offensive line will need to win the battle in the trenches. LSU's defensive line is fast, athletic and very aggressive. The hogs up front will need to clear the way for Richardson, and make sure McCarron has time to set his feet in the pocket.

Prediction: Alabama 19- LSU 17