An old saying states offence wins games and defence wins championships. That should be put to the test in American college football.
The Bowl Championship Series title game takes place on Monday, 9 January, at 8.30pm in New Orleans. America’s top two collegiate teams are in action at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in the Louisiana State University Tigers and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
LSU is 13-0 while Alabama is 11-1 and both pride themselves on stingy defences. The Tigers rank in the top six in all of the major defensive categories per game in points allowed (second at 10.5 points), total yards allowed (second at 252.1 yards), rushing yards allowed (fourth at 85.5 yards) and passing yards (sixth at 166.8 yards).
Alabama sport the top-ranked defence in the country, ranking first in the same categories. They have surrendered just 8.8 points per game, 191.3 total yards per contest, 74.9 rushing yards per match and 116.3 yards per game.
Both teams sport tons of star talent. Defensively the Tigers are led by Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Matheiu, who had two interceptions and has two touchdowns on punt returns. Alabama have a capable play-maker of their own in Dee Milliner, who has three interceptions and a touchdown.
Offensively LSU centres around quarterback Jarrett Lee (1,306 yards, 14 TDs) and wide-out Rueben Randle (904 yards, eight TDs). The Crimson Tide feature Heisman finalist Trent Richardson (1,583 yards, 20 TDs) at running back and QB AJ McCarron (2,400 yards, 16 TDs). On a whole both squads run the ball well (LSU ranks 17th with 215.2 yards per game while Alabama is 14th at 219.8 yards). However their passing attacks are not exactly potent (both rank 70th or worse in passing yards per contest).
The last time the two Southeastern Conference sides met it was a nail-biter that went into overtime. The squads combined for just 15 points (LSU won 9-6). Based on the potency of their defences, odds are it will be an equally tight match on Monday. The title game should come down to field position and who commits the most mistakes.
Nick Saban and Les Miles are great sideline generals. But history seems set to repeat itself with Saban’s Crimson Tide being outdone once again by Miles’ Tigers.
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