LSU vs. Alabama: Final Thoughts on the Game of the Century

It seems like the entire 2011 college football season has been building towards this game for the last two months, and now it's finally here. Over the last few weeks, every media outlet in the country has presented countless key matchups, statistics, and predictions for the so-called Game of the Century. But what will actually decide the game between the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide?

There's no way of telling what facet(s) of the game will be most integral in deciding tonight's matchup. However, here are ten interesting statistics and factoids that may prove to be telling once the dust settles in Tuscaloosa.

By the Numbers

1. In their five games against ranked opponents this season, the LSU Tigers have forced 14 turnovers, while only giving up the ball twice themselves.

2. In 2008, Jarrett Lee threw seven passes that were intercepted and returned for touchdowns, the most in college football that year.

3. Alabama is the second least penalized team in college football. LSU only ranks 79th.

4. LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee has only been sacked seven times on the season.

5. LSU passes on only about 33% of plays, while Alabama passes on 42%.

6. LSU ranks 5th in the FBS in net punting. Alabama only ranks 67th.

7. LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee has played (taken snaps) against top five teams five times in his career. AJ McCarron has only done it once (he was 0-4 against Auburn last year).

8. Alabama has converted 75% of their third-and-short situations this season. LSU has only converted 50%.

9. Nick Saban is 10-10 after bye weeks in his career. Les Miles is 5-1 after bye weeks at LSU.

10. Trent Richardson has rushed for over 100 yards in each of Alabama's three games against ranked opponents this season.

There's no way to know if any of these statistics will be relevant tonight.

Some things—like the Oregon Ducks' top two running backs getting cramps against LSU and a freshman coming in and fumbling twice—are completely unpredictable.

We do our best to try to make sense of these matchups and make educated guesses as to what will ensue based on the numerous statistics we have. But no one really knows what's going to happen.

And that's what makes college football fun.