For Better or Worse: LSU-‘Bama Rematch has to happen

The calendar has flipped and now 2012 stares us down like a schoolyard bully.  While, many of us seek change and a prosperous New Year—the BCS will once again try its damndest to make sure the sports world gets off to a controversial start.  Welcome to the BCS National Championship Game.Whether it be the selection process or the big money trends: the BCS has continually left more questions than answers.  It seems to be annual commonplace that we all debate the merits of the two teams participating in the National Championship game and why the BCS system is the sport equivalent to the Kraken.

It all hinges on where our fan allegiances lie and what argument we choose to defend when picking a side for who we want to win, or more importantly, who we feel should be in the Championship game itself.

In this case we have a rematch of LSU and Alabama.  I’m not gonna lie—I am pretty fired up about this rematch.  Regardless of any argument to the equivalent, these two teams have been the nations best all season long.  Without question, they possess the most talented players and coaches. Top to bottom—these are the premier elite teams in college football  While, many may argue that the notion of a rematch for a National Championship is borderline insanity—I feel that this matchup warrants the consideration.

However, my beef with the 2012 version of the “why the BCS sucks” argument is not with the game itself, but with some of the possibilities that might endure after the outcome of the game.

What if Alabama wins?

It’s going to be very difficult to convince me that they would be worthy of the trophy after LSU has been in the driver’s seat all season long.  LSU has already beaten Alabama.  LSU would have the same record coming out of the same conference.  LSU would still have proven everything that Alabama is TRYING to with this game.

There is also talk of LSU still being able to maintain the #1 BCS ranking even if they take a loss to Alabama on Monday night.   So would Alabama celebrate with the BCS trophy—on field—after the game–but LSU would still keep it’s #1 ranking in the polls?  It makes no sense to me. What is the point of a championship game when we have zero confidence or clarification in who the champion is?

Most of this is moot if LSU is able to take care of business and put all of the controversy to rest.  But if the first game between these two was any indication (a 9-6 overtime victory for LSU)—this will be as evenly matched of game as ever.

There will be many reasons to watch the BCS National Championship game.  I just wish the potential looming controversy wasn’t one of them.