BCS National Championship Game

SI Staff | Jan 10, 2012

BCS National Championship Game

Simon Bruty/SI

LSU and Alabama met in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 5 amid great fanfare, with the Tigers topping the Tide 9-6 in overtime. The rematch has elicited its share of controversy, but it still promises to be a great game between two defensive juggernauts and SEC heavyweights.

Bill Frakes/SI

Alabama charged onto the field before the game, eager to prove its title-game worth.

Simon Bruty/SI

LSU huddles up before the game.

Richard Mackson/SI

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson attempts a pass early.

Richard Mackson/SI

Michael Ford, part of LSU's four-headed running back attack, goes head-to-head with Alabama's bruising defense.

Richard Mackson/SI

After failing to throw a touchdown in the teams' first meeting, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron was determined to play with more emotion and intensity in the rematch with LSU.

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

Speedster Marquis Maze gave Alabama some life with a big return in the first quarter...

Bill Frakes/SI

but injured his hamstring on the play.

Bill Frakes/SI

Kenny Hilliard and the LSU backs struggled early against Alabama's D.

John Biever/SI

Kevin Norwood makes a leaping catch over the famed Honey Badger.

Bill Frakes/SI

With Marquis Maze injured, Kevin Norwood and other Alabama receivers have stepped up to fill the void.

Bill Frakes/SI

Jordan Jefferson couldn't solve Alabama's defense in the first half, managing a mere 26 passing yards.

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

AJ McCarron completed 18-of-25 passes in the first half for 155 yards, setting up four field goal attempts and three successful conversions.

Simon Bruty/SI

AJ McCarron completed 23-of-34 passes for 233 yards on his way to earning offensive MVP honors.

Bill Frakes/SI

Jeremy Shelley (90) connected on field goals of 23, 34 and 41 yards for the No. 2 Crimson Tide in the opening half.

Simon Bruty/SI

Jordan Jefferson is sandwiched by Alabama defenders Courtney Upshaw and Damion Square. Jefferson had a nightmare game against Alabama's No. 1-ranked defense, going 11 for 17 for just 53 yards and an interception.

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

As LSU's offensive woes continued deep into the second, the Tigers became visibly dejected on the sideline.

Al Tielemans/SI

Trent Richardson delivered the only touchdown of the game, a 34-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

Al Tielemans/SI

Trent Richardson finished with 95 yards to help secure Nick Saban's record-setting third BCS title.

Richard Mackson/SI

Alabama may have lost in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 5, but the Tide won when it mattered, holding LSU to 91 net yards in an utterly dominant defensive effort.

Al Tielemans/SI

Alabama has now won two of the last three BCS titles.