Arkansas vs. LSU: Tigers Will Use Alabama's Formula to Roll Past Razorbacks

When the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide beat the No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks 38-14 in the fourth week of the college football season, I'm not sure many realized what type of effect it would have on the National Championship picture.

Now both teams are battling for a chance to take on the No. 1 LSU Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game, and the Razorbacks will have a legitimate chance to make that happen as they take on the Tigers on Friday afternoon.

The dynamics of the game are incredibly interesting as an LSU win could put Alabama back in the driver's seat in terms of being the No. 2 team, while an Arkansas win could vault the Razorbacks to No. 1 and knock LSU out of the title picture completely.

With all that said, Friday's game will be absolutely vital for both the Tigers and Razorbacks. The Tigers have conquered every challenge put in front of them this season and they have done it with their own brand of football, but there is reason to believe they will take a page out of Alabama's book to defeat Arkansas.

For one, LSU and Alabama are very similar teams to begin with. Both rely quite heavily upon great defense and a great running game. That is precisely the way the Crimson Tide were able to dominate the Razorbacks in their meeting earlier this season.

Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson has been both efficient and explosive this season, but he was neither against Alabama. The Tide made Wilson uncomfortable in the pocket, forcing an interception and holding him to just 185 yards passing.

LSU's front seven is comparable to Alabama's, but its secondary is unquestionably the best in the nation. Because of that, Wilson is quite likely to have a rough day. The Razorbacks largely rely on the passing game, but no team takes it away better than the Tigers.

Also, Alabama running back Trent Richardson ran wild on Arkansas, and while LSU may not have a Heisman Trophy candidate like Richardson, they have a fantastic tandem in the backfield in the form of Spencer Ware and Michael Ford.

Ware and Ford are essentially equals as they both have over 600 rushing yards on the season and seven touchdowns. Provided the Tigers continue to cycle the backs, they should be able to move the ball and possess for long periods of time while keeping their defense fresh.

The Razorbacks have a good team, but the Tigers are simply at another level to this point. LSU's defense has shut down better offenses and it will continue its dominance on Friday. With a win, even if the Tigers lose to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, I think LSU will clinch a spot in the National Championship Game.