LSU Tigers and Bama Crimson Tide Already in New Orleans

(From AP New Orleans)

The No. 1 in the nation and SEC Champion LSU Tigers and  No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide just rolled into New Orleans yesterday, and  for the Tigers, it already felt like a home game.

"If we can't play this game in Tiger Stadium, the only place we'd rather play it is here," LSU offensive guard Will Blackwell said.

The Southeastern Conference rivals both arrived in New Orleans on Wednesday to prepare for the first BCS title game ever to feature teams from the same league.

For Alabama, it was a short flight, and a brass band greeted the Crimson Tide (11-1) as they got off the plane, while somebody shouted "Roll Tide!" as coach Nick Saban talked to reporters.

That was low key, though, compared to the band plus 100-or-so revved up fans and the big stuffed tiger that met LSU at a downtown hotel, sticking around even though they had to wait an extra 40 minutes because one of the Tigers' buses developed a problem on the way down from Baton Rouge and couldn't break 60 mph.http://www.lsusports.net/

"The attachment to this city is one this team really feels," LSU coach Les Miles said. "You think (a greeting like this) is going to subside but this is going to continue for the week."

He wasn't worried about it all going to his players' heads. After all, LSU (13-0) has already won the SEC championship and beaten Alabama on its home field.

"I think they know how to remove distractions," Miles said.

A trip to New Orleans was Alabama's goal all season, too.

"This is a special place, it's a special city, it's a special opportunity for our team to play against an outstanding LSU team," Saban said.

"In the spirit of competition, this is about as good as it gets."

The regular-season meeting between the SEC West rivals was in Tuscaloosa, Ala., a very physical game the Tigers won 9-6 in overtime with a last minute field goal and one second on the clock.

"The big thing that we've tried to focus on in terms of what we learned in that game is the technical aspects of things that  we could have done better, maybe from a schematic standpoint, maybe from an execution standpoint," Saban said.

"We did learn a lot from that game in terms of the things we can do better."

While some have questioned whether Alabama deserved a second chance at LSU and whether it's fair to the Tigers that they have to beat the Crimson Tide again to win a national championship, neither team feels that this game is anything other than winner take all.

"It's a one-game season right here and we know they're going to bring their all and they know we're going to bring our all," Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson said.

I predict a more offensive game with LSU winning by 10 points, say 31-21. This because of Alabama's sophomore quarterback, A.J. McCarron. He has been known to turn the ball over during crucial moments. Also, LSU is superior in special teams, such as their kicking game. Brad Wing can punt it 55 yards, and field goal kicker Drew Alleman never misses. Sure, Bama has Trent Richardson, who is every bit as good as Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was, but you can't win with one standout player unless you're Auburn and the player is Cam Newton. My money is on the Honey Badger!