Rarely does the national title come down to two teams that met in the regular season but with the SEC dominating the game in recent years, it was only a matter of time.

Here Alabama gets a chance to avenge a conference loss to LSU in the BCS title game and the odds are close to a pick-em for bettors.

Trent Richardson rushed for 1,583 yards and 20 touchdowns for Alabama, the nation's second-ranked defense, which faces the top-ranked LSU defense. [ See the full BCS title game odds preview and much more here ]


View Alabama vs LSU Odds and Stats.

BCS Betting Line: The Crimson Tide were listed as 1.5-point underdogs on the Sportsbook NCAA football line at most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark. The total was settling in around 40 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook, which offers super bonuses and cheap wagers on Tuesdays in bowl season).





How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up LSU's No. 12-ranked offense (38.5 PPG) against a Crimson Tide defense that ranks No. 1 at 8.8 PPG. The Tigers passing attack has averaged 160.2 yards per game, more than the Crimson Tide give up through the air (116.3 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Crimson Tide feature the league's No. 1-rated road run defense, allowing 48 yards per game. LSU, meanwhile, ranks No. 23 in rushing offense at home.

Alabama was a 42-14 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against Auburn. They covered the 21.5–point spread as favorites, while the total score (56) made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.

LSU was a 42-10 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Georgia. They covered the 12–point spread as favorites, while the total score of 52 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.


Alabama Crimson Tide Trends:
When playing in January are 4-2
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When an underdog on the road are 1-9

LSU Tigers Trends:
When playing in January are 5-3
When playing on turf are 8-2
After being outgained are 8-2
When favored at home are 10-0

A few Crimson Tide at Tigers trends to consider:
Alabama is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Alabama's last 6 games when playing LSU
Alabama is 3-4-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing LSU
Alabama is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing LSU
LSU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
LSU is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Alabama
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LSU's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LSU's last 6 games when playing Alabama