LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: Jordan Jefferson Is the Key to Another Tigers Victory

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson was still shaking off the rust from a suspension when the Tigers played Alabama for the first time in early November. Now that he's back up to full speed and has ended the timeshare with fellow senior QB Jarrett Lee, he'll be the key for LSU in the national title game.

After a disappointing junior campaign that saw Jefferson throw more interceptions than touchdowns, he bounced back nicely in his nine appearances in 2011. He completed 60 percent of his passes and threw six TDs with just one pick.

Since the Tigers running game—led by Michael Ford and Spencer Ware—and defense have been so strong, Jefferson hasn't been asked to overextend his boundaries as a quarterback.

He's a dynamic dual-threat option with the potential to hurt Alabama both through the air and on the ground, but he's not somebody who's going to be throwing the ball 40 times per game. For lack of a better term, he's a dangerous game manager.

Put into an offense like LSU's, he's a perfect fit. When called upon to make a big throw, whether it be on third down or in the red zone, he has enough talent to make it happen. That makes him a nightmare opponent for defensive coordinators, who already have enough on their plate thanks to the team's nearly impenetrable offensive line.

There wasn't much offense to speak of in the first meeting with LSU, which ended 9-6 in overtime. The rematch probably won't be much different, with both coaching staffs preaching mistake-free football since one mistake could be the difference.

That's exactly the type of game where Jefferson will thrive.

Once the running game is established, there will undoubtedly be a couple of play-action passes called. It might only take one long completion from among those calls to turn the tables in LSU's favor, but it's that exact big-play threat that Lee didn't bring to the table.

The Tigers have stepped up to the plate and conquered every task put in front of them so far. Nick Saban and company have a gigantic task on their hands at Alabama when they try to game-plan for all of LSU's weapons on both sides of the ball.

Their top priority should be Jefferson. If it isn't, he'll end up burning the Crimson Tide.