By Cabrone D. Brewer
If you’re an avid sports fan, chances are you haven’t been able to escape from the hype surrounding two of college football’s most dominating forces in recent weeks.
Now, you’ll finally get the chance to witness the outcome of their acquaintance.
For only the fifth time in BCS history, No. 1 and No. 2 will meet each other in the regular season as No. 1 LSU travels to Tuscaloosa to face SEC West rival No. 2 Alabama in a high-stakes positioning battle of championship importance.
Both teams have been on a collision course towards this highly anticipated matchup since the first BCS rankings were released Oct. 16, boasting heavy offensive and defensive arsenals that have allowed them to thoroughly decimate opponents in the process. Alabama ranks at the top of the FBS in rush defense, yards per game and points per game, while LSU lingers close behind in all categories.
Saturday will mark the first time that two SEC teams have met before the conference title game ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation — not to mention the winner of the LSU-Alabama contest has played in the SEC championship game four of the past six years.
It may be hard to believe, but there other games of note this weekend in the SEC as well.
No. 9 South Carolina claims first place in the SEC East, but the Gamecocks will be put to the test when they face No. 7 Arkansas this weekend in Fayetteville. Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson leads the SEC in passing yards, which could be a bad omen for a South Carolina program that has lost four of the last five games against the Razorbacks.
Over in the Big 12, No.3 Oklahoma State will be looking to maintain a perfect record in the BCS standings when they take on No. 17 Kansas State in Stillwater.
A win at home over a Kansas State team that had their undefeated season taken away by Oklahoma last weekend should allow Oklahoma State to slide into the comforts of the No. 2 position after a winner between LSU and Alabama is crowned.
Who will emerge victorious from what many are calling a national title game elimination battle between LSU and Alabama? Check back Monday for a review of the game of the century.
Also Read:
College Football 2011 Week 9: Shakeups and Showdowns
College Football 2011 Week 9: Looking Ahead
College Football 2011 Recap: Home Wrecked