LSU vs. Alabama: Why Loser Will Have No Chance at National Championship Game

No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 LSU aren't just the top two teams in the BCS rankings. No, they are also the best two teams in the country. At this point of the year, there is still a difference. 

The teams are so similar to each other. This could very well be a showdown of the two best defenses in the country. The two offenses are clearly both good enough to get the job done, but neither are spectacular. 

But just because they are the best teams in the country doesn't mean that they will play in the national championship game—well, the official one anyway.

I guess a case could be made that this is the "real" national championship game, but the official one will come in January in New Orleans. 

The loser just doesn't set up well for the national championship game. 

Both Oklahoma State and Stanford would need to lose. Boise State probably would, too. Oklahoma State and Stanford may well lose, but that can't be taken for granted. They should be favored in all of their games from this point on. Boise State probably won't lose, but they won't necessarily need to. Their level of competition just doesn't match up to what LSU or Alabama would face.

Now, of the two teams, LSU certainly has the better chance of getting into the national championship game. They are on the road and have much better opportunities for big wins down the road this season.

Alabama should cakewalk through the rest of their regular season. If they lose at home, they just won't do enough to prove climb back up the rankings.

But even in the case of LSU, I just don't like their chances at getting back to the top two in the rankings. Oklahoma State and Stanford are really good teams. Frankly, I wouldn't put it past both to run the table.  Besides, rematches just don't tend to play too well. We've never seen one in a BCS national championship game, and we've had opportunities.

The most notable came after the 2006 season, when Ohio State and Michigan seemed to be the best two teams. What happened there? Ohio State played Florida in the national championship game and lost. Michigan played USC in the Rose Bowl and lost. 

If that's the precedent the voters have, they won't go away from it. 

Even if they are the best two teams, Saturday will be the one and only time that LSU and Alabama play each other this year. 

Enjoy it.