LSU vs. Alabama: 5 Reasons the Crimson Tide Wins This Time Around

This whole LSU-Alabama Championship deal is just about half a day from being confirmed as a reality. The crazy scenario where two interdivisional rivals actually get to replay earlier events for a shot to prove who's really on top is a few short hours away. It's truly unbelievable.

The last matchup in the "Game of the Century" occurred in Tuscaloosa in one of the most defensive battles this country has seen in a long time. The 9-6 overtime victory for LSU helped leapfrog them as a favorite for the Title game which coincidentally is in their own state a few hours down the road.

To put it simply, this is basically a "home" game for the Tigers, so does LSU pull it off again or does Alabama upset their top-seeded foes? Many of us say the Crimson Tide just played a bad game the first time around, including me. The Crystal Ball will return to 'Bama if these two are our season finale.

Here's five reasons why.   

Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson is still very much in the running for the Heisman trophy. He is more than an impact player, he is a figurehead for one of the oldest and most storied programs in the country. 

Any one man who can make all of Bryant-Denny forget about a running back like Mark Ingram deserves recognition like he has. Richardson is quicker, more agile, and just as dangerous as the former Alabama superstar. Look out for him to play a major role in the BCS Title the Tide should be playing in.

On the year, No. 3 has almost 1600 yards on the ground on just over 260 carries, 20 touchdowns, and a Heisman bid. When one of the most dangerous players in college football is your superstar, not much can go wrong on his side of the ball. 

History Favors the Bold

The Tide have something to prove. They have every reason to be put down, ridiculed, and overall not given a chance by anyone but their own fans. They lost to LSU the first time around and it's not like it was at some neutral site or in Death Valley. It was at home and they couldn't pull out the victory.

With that said, after taking another look at round one, I found something quite interesting about 'Bama. The entire team, including the coaching staff, didn't seem to be acting like this was the "Game of the Century". To them, it was just another division matchup and every player had that mindset. 

LSU, on the other hand, went all out. They played like it was the National Title game and they had to win it. They played dirty, violent, and aggressive and without matching that intensity, the Tide only lost in OT by three points. 

As round two approaches reality, Alabama and their reckless game one are gone. They will be playing for more than to prove they deserve to be there. They will be playing for revenge, and as one of the single strongest motivating emotions out there, you won't see a single crimson clad player fall short when it comes to effort. 

Better Offense

The Crimson Tide's offense was rolling until it met LSU, only scoring six points against Les Miles' strong arm defense. With just around 460 total yards per game before LSU, Alabama has only hurt itself by dropping that number down to 430 yards per game. 

The rushing and the passing game have both taken hits, falling over 10 yards per game each. Richardson has been able to keep the rushing totals slightly high, but McCarron has allowed the passing numbers to fall dramatically.

All that aside, however, the Tide still own the Tigers on the offensive side of the ball. All-around, LSU falls short to 'Bama except on total points scored and that honestly is because their special teams gives their offense great field position, as shown in the SEC Championship.

This Crimson Tide offense is prepared to roll if given the chance, and the Title game sure seems like the right stage to make a big impact.   

Better Defense

This Crimson Tide defense is heavily considered to be one of the best Alabama has ever had. They've held teams this season to just nine points a game and only 191 yards total offense per game.

However, compared to before their battle with LSU, they're a little bit worse. They used to only give up seven points and 180 yards total offense per game, but have let those numbers slide since losing at home to the Tigers.

Once again, though, the Tide come out on top statistically. Just like on offense, Alabama has out-performed LSU over the course of the year. 'Bama has given up less points and yards per game, making them dangerous to matchup against for any offense, even the Tigers'. 

Pure Discipline

Take a look at Nick Saban and take a look at Les Miles. "The Hat" is a grass eating hippie while Saban is one of the most disciplined people you'll ever meet. It's completely separate mindsets that place these two on opposite ends of the coaching spectrum.

Now, how does that affect their players? 

Tyrann Mathieu and a few other select players, including two starters, tested positive for illegal drugs just a week before the Auburn game. The Tigers are considered one of the dirtiest teams in the country, having committed over 80 penalties for an average of 50 yards per game. 

How many Alabama players have you heard of testing positive for drugs? None. How many penalties do the Tide players have? Just 48 for an average of 33 yards per game. 

These 'Bama players are disciplined. The only player reports you hear coming out of Tuscaloosa are ones that Trent Richardson is one of the leaders for the Heisman. Nick Saban has his players under lock and key, forcing them to play fundamental, classy football. And when all is said and done, that'll be all the difference in the world.