LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: An Alabama Win Could Mean a Split Title

Wow—just when we thought the BCS chaos was done with, things can officially end up getting dicey.

LSU trailed Georgia 10-7 at halftime in the SEC Championship, but they quickly turned it around by scoring 42 unanswered points (35 in second half) in their 32-point blowout victory en route to an appearance in the BCS National Championship.

Though Oklahoma State smoked the Sooners for the first time since 2002 (44-10), it likely will not be enough, so we are destined for an Alabama-LSU rematch.

Please, don't look at it as a rematch. I am not a big fan of agreeing with Nick Saban, but one must look at it as if we want the two best teams to play. If the pollsters thought the Cowboys were the second-best then they would have voted them for second in the majority of their polls.

Instead, Alabama goes to LSU's backyard in Louisiana to play for the BCS National Championship—but what happens if they win in a closely contested game?

Could we be on the verge of having another split national champion?

The last one we had in the BCS era involved the LSU Tigers and the USC Trojans back in 2004, when USC was voted the top team in the country by everybody but the BCS (AP and Coaches), even though they did not play in the BCS National Championship.

LSU had defeated Oklahoma, winning the BCS National Championship (Sugar Bowl in Louisiana) in a defensive struggle, 21-14. USC dismantled Michigan in the Rose Bowl 28-14, and many "experts" were unsure on who was the best team in the nation. 

So, if Alabama were to beat the Bayou Bengals in their own backyard in another close game, what is going to happen?

Perhaps we will see yet another split champion, which of course would result in a certain BCS change—the contract expires in 2013.

The Tigers have defeated three current Top 10 teams in the BCS (Alabama, Oregon, Arkansas), and their resume may arguably be the most accomplished among any BCS champion.

If they beat Alabama, the talks will begin of where exactly this squad belongs because of how dominant they have been in the process.

However, all of that talk would be rightfully dead if Nick Saban can win his third national title (LSU '02, Alabama '08).

The biggest question really becomes on whether or not Alabama deserves to have the BCS National Championship all by themselves if they win a close game.

Note: Since 2004, the AP no longer is in discussion of splitting a national championship—rather, they leave it up to the BCS

So should the BCS step in an do something about if Alabama wins on a bit of a fluke similar to LSU?

Alabama had previously missed three kicks and had one blocked, though they did lose at home, but the game was in overtime and millions wondered who the better team was.

If that occurs again, will the fans be outraged? Well, the ones from Baton Rouge certainly will be, but it really depends on the outcome of the game.

If Alabama can squeak by and win in ugly fashion while not playing their best game because LSU played an ugly game, what should happen?

We might want to consider a split national champion since these two teams have already played.

Most fans of the system (myself included) will hope that whoever wins will do so in convincing fashion so there is no doubt left in the nation's mind. 

Until Jan. 9th is upon us, we can only sit back and await with anxiety what could be one of the greatest BCS National Championships in terms of overall talent.