ESPN College Football

Playing off the immortal words of Lynyrd Skynyrd, what song (game) is it you want to hear (see)?

We threw out a few dream possibilities involving SEC teams a week ago in our SportsNation poll. These were potential nonconference matchups.

With more than 11,200 votes cast, the winner was Alabama vs. Oregon. That was certainly the game I wanted to see last season in the BCS National Championship Game. I think it's the game most college football fans wanted to see -- the classic high-octane, speed-of-light offense versus a suffocating defense that's been in the top 5 nationally in most major statistical categories for five years running.

The Alabama-Oregon matchup received 31 percent of the vote. A close second was Texas vs. Texas A&M, which received 28 percent of the vote. Surely, the Longhorns and Aggies will play again at some point. I guess we'll have to wait until Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds decides the time is right since Texas "gets to decide" when the two old rivals will meet again.

The way Kevin Sumlin has it going in College Station, Dodds might want to wait a long while.

Coming in third place in our poll was Florida vs. Ohio State, which got 18 percent of the vote. We could dub it the Urban Meyer Bowl.

Fourth place in the voting was South Carolina vs. USC (15 percent), while fifth place was LSU vs. Notre Dame (8 percent).

What are some other dream nonconference matchups?

A few that come to mind: Alabama vs. USC, South Carolina vs. Oklahoma (Steve Spurrier vs. Bob Stoops), Georgia vs. Florida State, LSU vs. Michigan, Texas A&M vs. Oregon, Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech, Florida vs. Texas and Arkansas vs. Wisconsin (the Bret Bielema Bowl).

Kirk Herbstreit discusses the implications of losses by No. 1 Kansas State and No. 2 Oregon on Saturday.

It’s Friday, which means it’s time to answer your questions in the SEC mailbag:

Lance in Macon, Ga., writes: Everybody says the SEC is out of the national championship race now, but shouldn’t a one-loss SEC champion still get strong consideration over an unbeaten team from the Pac-12 or Big 12?

Chris Low: Hey, I’ve blown the SEC’s horn as loudly as anybody during the league’s streak of six straight national championships and still believe it’s the strongest conference in the country. But I don’t see a one-loss SEC team getting into the Discover BCS National Championship Game over any of the three unbeaten teams this season if they all stay unbeaten, nor do I think that should happen. From my perspective, Oregon is the best team in the country this season. Do I think an SEC team could beat the Ducks in Miami given five weeks to prepare? Absolutely. A layoff that long always seems to help the defensive-oriented teams and hurt the offensive-oriented teams. Look what happened in 2010 when Auburn beat Oregon in Glendale, Ariz. I do think this is as balanced as the SEC has been in a long time, and the fact that six of the top nine teams in the BCS standings this week are from the SEC is proof. I realize that others around the country accuse the SEC of being overrated and claim that SEC teams haven’t beaten anybody outside of the league. But here’s my question: Who has Oregon beaten? Their nonconference conquests have come over such powerhouses as Arkansas State, Fresno State and Tennessee Tech. Even though some of the teams on Notre Dame’s schedule haven’t turned out as good as initially thought back in August, I still think the Irish have played one of the toughest schedules in the country. I also don’t think anybody in the country would have been able to get through some of the three- and four-game stretches unbeaten that some of the SEC teams have had to navigate. South Carolina faced Georgia, LSU and Florida in successive weeks, and the LSU and Florida games were on the road. As good as the Ducks are, I don’t see them making it through that gauntlet unbeaten. Florida faced LSU, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Georgia in a four-game stretch. LSU played Florida, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Alabama over a five-week stretch, and Texas A&M has played five of its past six games on the road, culminating with the win at Alabama. Nothing else in college football compares to the grind that you have to face in the SEC. That said, I don’t believe there’s a team in the SEC this season that’s as strong as any of the last four national champions from this league.

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John in Johnstown, Pa., writes: If a quarterback is judged on wins and losses, how can anyone rate Tyler Russell and Connor Shaw above Zach Mettenberger at this point? Shaw lost a game South Carolina was fortunate to be in at LSU, and other than Georgia, has beaten no one. Russell has not won one game of any significance. Mettenberger has thrived as his offensive line has jelled and given him time, and his receivers have actually held onto the ball.

Chris Low: In compiling the list of the SEC’s top-10 starting quarterbacks to this point, I went back and forth after the top three guys. For instance, Tyler Bray has great numbers, but he hasn’t performed well in the clutch and the Vols are winless in the SEC. I agree that Mettenberger has improved as much as any quarterback in the league these past two weeks, and his receivers have also finally started helping him some. But until these past two games, he’d thrown just one touchdown pass and two interceptions in four SEC contests. Mettenberger is 12^th in the SEC in passing efficiency in league games, while Shaw is third. Shaw has also accounted for 16 touchdowns in league games. Russell also has solid numbers in league games. The truth is that it’s extremely subjective when you put together a list like this, and while quarterbacks are absolutely judged on wins and losses, there are other criteria that factor into the decision. The other thing to keep in mind is that Mettenberger still has two SEC games to play. If he finishes the season the way he’s played the past two games, then there’s a very good chance that he would move up this list. That said, I don’t think you can completely discount his struggles (and LSU’s struggles in the passing game) during the Tigers’ first eight games.

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David in Kingsport, Tenn., writes: I’m assuming Derek Dooley won’t be back. Who makes the most sense for Tennessee and who do you think will be the top targets for that job?

Chris Low: You assume correctly. I don’t see any scenario that Dooley is back even if the Vols win their last two games. I know the Jon Gruden talk has taken on a life of its own, and I also know that Gruden has indicated to more than a few people that he would be interested. At the end of the day, I don’t see “Chucky” wearing Tennessee orange next season. The two names I think will be at or near the top of the Vols’ list are Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher and Miami’s Al Golden. I would also keep an eye on TCU’s Gary Patterson, Texas Tech’s Tommy Tuberville, Louisville’s Charlie Strong and Duke’s David Cutcliffe.

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Get Your History Right writes: In regard to your SEC predictions, Week 12, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

Chris Low: We do a little bit of everything here on the SEC blog -- history, pop culture, movies, even a little college football. I was able to visit Pearl Harbor a few years ago and still get chills thinking about it. If possible, every American should make an attempt to visit that memorial. As for getting history right, I do realize that it was the Japanese, and not the Germans, who bombed Pearl Harbor. My suggestion for you is to rent “Animal House,” and then you will get my reference to it not being over when the “Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.” Those were Bluto Blutarsky’s words and not mine.

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Brent from the Swamp writes: Hi Chris. In most bowl projections, LSU is picked for an at large bowl over a potential two-loss Georgia and a potential one- or two-loss Florida team that beat LSU heads up. I was just wondering what gives LSU the edge right now and could a Florida win over Florida State have an impact on the bowl projections assuming that most other things in this crazy BCS picture stay the same. I know someone has to be left out, but say it ain't going to be the Gators! Thanks for your time and love the blog!

Chris Low: Actually, Brent, I think Texas A&M could be Florida's stiffest competition for that second BCS bowl spot. The Aggies are one of the best stories in college football right now with this being their first year in the SEC, and Johnny Manziel is approaching rock star status. The Aggies' win over Alabama might have made them the front-runner. Plus, you can bet Aggie fans will travel like crazy no matter where Texas A&M ends up, especially if an Oklahoma-Texas A&M matchup is a possibility in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Now, if Florida beats Florida State and is sitting there at 11-1 and ranked in the top 5 in the country, it's going to be hard to pass on the Gators, particularly when you consider who all they would have beaten (LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M and potentially FSU). If the SEC is shut out of the Discover BCS National Championship Game, then the winner of the SEC championship game will go to the Sugar Bowl. I then think a second SEC team would wind up in the Fiesta Bowl, and it would probably come down to Florida, LSU and Texas A&M. If an SEC team makes it to the BCS National Championship Game, the Sugar Bowl then might elect to take LSU. There's still a lot that can happen, so stay tuned. The Gators can certainly help their BCS chances by taking down the Seminoles in Tallahassee.

The SEC haters will continue to hate.

That’s what happens when a conference has won six straight national championships and receives the kind of national publicity this league does.

There’s a point where enough is enough, and the rest of college football reached that point three or four national championships ago.

Is the SEC so dominant that nobody else in college football compares? No.

Does the SEC catch a bit of a break because it plays just eight conference games? Yes.

Is the SEC’s national championship streak going to last forever? No.

But while the college game is constantly changing and evolving, one thing won’t change in the SEC: It’s a line-of-scrimmage league where generating stops on defense, particularly in the red zone, far outweighs generating basketball scores on offense.

We were reminded of this yet again Saturday night.

While Oregon and USC were busy jacking up 3-pointers, fast-breaking at every opportunity and scoring so fast that the scoreboard couldn’t keep up, Alabama and LSU were locked up in one of those classic, hit-‘em-in-the-mouth affairs that has come to define the SEC.

It’s not always pretty, especially if you’re into gaudy statistics, but it’s a proven formula for winning national championships.

Moreover, if you’re going to make it through the grind of the SEC, you'd better be able to run the ball, stop the run and find ways to get it done in the fourth quarter.

And when you play in the SEC, it’s a style -- be it old-man football or grown-man football -- that’s ingrained in you.

“I’m not publicly knocking anybody else’s style, but this is a game I like to play in, a physical game, great defense and running the ball,” Alabama senior center Barrett Jones said after the Crimson Tide’s 21-17 victory over LSU.

“Those guys played their hearts out. They came with a great game plan. I knew Coach (John) Chavis would have an excellent game plan, and they really play physical. It just doesn’t get any better than playing in these types of games.”

Everybody likes a shootout from time to time, even the SEC purists. And there have been a few in this league already this season.

Georgia beat Tennessee 51-44 back in September. Texas A&M stepped outside the conference and outlasted Louisiana Tech 59-57. South Carolina beat Tennessee 38-35 two weeks ago.

But trying to win like that every week in the SEC is a losing proposition.

The Aggies are as hot on offense as anybody else right now, and redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel has put up mind-numbing stats.

Their matchup with Alabama this weekend in Tuscaloosa should be awfully compelling, particularly when you consider the physical and emotional toll that the LSU game had to take on the Crimson Tide.

But it’s also worth noting that both of Texas A&M’s losses this season came against the two best defenses it has faced. Florida shut out Texas A&M in the second half and won 20-17 the second week of the season. LSU, after giving up nine early points, put the squeeze on Texas A&M the rest of the way and won 24-19.

So in two games against defenses ranked in the top five nationally, Texas A&M failed to score 20 points.

The Aggies get a third shot against one of the top defenses in the country on Saturday.

Everybody wants to know how Oregon would fare against Alabama or, for that matter, how Kansas State would do against the Crimson Tide.

My guess is that the Ducks would have a better chance than the Wildcats because of all the explosive playmakers the Ducks have on offense and their ability to generate big plays.

But Alabama hasn’t given up more than 17 points to an FBS team since losing to Auburn at the end of the 2010 season.

Maybe we’ll see an Alabama-Oregon matchup in January. Maybe we won’t. Both teams still have some work to do to get there, and the computers in the BCS standings aren’t giving the Ducks much love right now.

Whatever happens, it’s up to the rest of the country to figure out that you’re not going to end the SEC’s reign by short-circuiting scoreboards. That’s just not the way they roll in these parts.

Some may call it boring. They tend to call it effective in the conference everybody loves to hate.

It’s why five of the top eight teams in the BCS standings this week are from the SEC.

"College Football Live" takes a look at the most overrated and underrated team in the 2012 AP preseason Top 25 poll.

My Pac-12 colleague, Ted Miller, has an excellent piece on what should have happened and what probably would have happened had a playoff been in effect last season and the final spot came down to Alabama and Oregon.

Ted's assertion is that Oregon's resume would have been more impressive and that the Ducks would have deserved to go over Alabama, which ended up winning the 2011 title with a dominating 21-0 victory over previously unbeaten LSU in the BCS National Championship Game.

That said, Ted concedes that there would have been massive second-guessing around the country as to whether Oregon was really the "best" team when you start comparing the Ducks and Crimson Tide from a year ago.

In fact, Ted said he would have picked Alabama.

Why?

In his own words, it would have been "more a case of the Tide's freak zone talent on defense, the inexorable Trent Richardson and a coach in Nick Saban who can match wits with Chip Kelly."

I can honestly see how some would say that Oregon's overall resume was better than Alabama's going into the postseason. As Ted points out, Oregon beat both Stanford and USC, which would have trumped Alabama's two best regular-season wins over Arkansas and Penn State.

The fact that LSU had to go to overtime (and didn't even score a touchdown) in beating Alabama during the regular season certainly weighs in the Tide's corner when you consider that LSU beat Oregon 40-27 in the season opener in Arlington, Texas. Ted mentions how big turnovers were in that game (and they were), but that's what LSU did to everybody last season.

The reality is that this debate is exactly what we're going to get annually when a four-team playoff goes into effect in 2014. The "best" four teams may not always be the same as the "most deserving" four teams, especially if we have a committee of athletic directors and conference commissioners doing the picking.

Winning a conference championship should matter, but it shouldn't matter to the extent that a team as strong and dominant as Alabama last season is left out of the national championship equation.

My belief is that a selection committee last season would have included both Alabama and LSU along with Oklahoma State and Oregon in a four-team playoff. Stanford would have been the odd team out.

Even so, we can all hope that the human element involved with a selection committee will apply common sense in these scenarios and pick the "best" team. Yes, that's mighty subjective, and I would guess that we're going to see a set list of criteria (conference championships, key road wins, strength of schedule and success against common opponents) that the committee considers in making these selections.

But the whole concept of a selection committee is subjective, not to mention uncharted waters for college football.

It's not going to be perfect, and there will be years when the "best" team is left out, and there will be years when the "most deserving" team is left out.

Nonetheless, give me a four-team playoff any day over what we've had in the past.

Now, if we could only get it up to an eight-team playoff.

The Pac-12 is the conference of quarterbacks. The SEC is all about defense.

Oh, and winning national championships.

But as good as the defenses are in the SEC, what role does poor-to-middling offense play in that perception? As in, what would happen if those defenses played against a series of future NFL quarterbacks, as Pac-12 (and Big 12) defenses do?

The question before us is this: How would USC quarterback Matt Barkley do against those rough-tough SEC defenses?

Ted Miller: It’s sort of a chicken and the egg question. Are SEC defenses so good because they rarely play against A-list quarterbacks? Or do Pac-12 quarterbacks pile up eye-popping numbers because they don’t play against SEC defenses?

Is it more notable that four of the top 11 quarterbacks in the nation in terms of passing efficiency in 2011 were from the Pac-12, compared to none in the top 20 from the SEC? Or is it more important that six SEC defenses ranked in the top 17 in pass efficiency defense compared to zero for the Pac-12?

It’s hard to say. It’s likely a person’s home -- Los Angeles or Baton Rouge -- has a large influence on his or her opinion.

Pac-12 fans would be prone to point out: In 2005, LSU ranked No. 3 in the nation in passing efficiency defense. But in the Tigers' trip to Tempe that season, Arizona State’s Sam Keller completed 35 of 56 passes for 461 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 35-31 defeat.

Or this: LSU’s defense did a nice job against Oregon’s offense in the 2011 season opener. Of course, the Ducks scored more points on LSU than ANY OF THE OTHER 13 TEAMS LSU PLAYED.

Apologies for the caps lock. Reckless typing.

While we can all acknowledge the SEC -- at least the elite teams -- play better defense than the rest of the nation, it is also worth noting that when future first-round NFL draft picks played quarterback in the SEC, they put up good numbers, whether we’re talking about the Manning brothers, Matt Stafford or Cam Newton. And I’m sure, one day in the future --perhaps this decade! -- we’ll be able to add a name to that list.

There are some nice quartebacks in the SEC: Tyler Wilson, AJ McCarron and Aaron Murray. All three seem like they’d have a good chance of winning the backup job at USC. Maybe.

Chris Low: No way am I going to argue that Barkley wouldn't have success in the SEC.

He's a future pro and probably the front-runner to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012.

The question is: How much success would he have, and would he hit the proverbial wall going against SEC defenses on a weekly basis?

My feeling is that all quarterbacks hit that wall. Any coach will tell you (ask your buddy Lane Kiffin) that what separates SEC defenses is the speed in the front seven, particularly in the defensive line. There are fast players all over the country in college football, but the SEC has cornered the market on fast, explosive defensive linemen and pass-rushers who also have the size and strength to overpower people.

That's the difference, and that's where Barkley would notice the greatest difference.

It wasn't a banner year for quarterbacks in the SEC last season. And, yes, I realize that's an understatement. But it was a banner year for premier defensive players. That's why the first round of the NFL draft next month is going to look like an SEC who's who. As many as 10 SEC defensive players could go in the first round.

Don't sleep on the SEC's quarterback class this coming season, either. Wilson may be a future first-rounder. Murray has thrown nearly 60 touchdown passes in his first two seasons, and we all saw what McCarron did in the BCS title game against an LSU defense that was outstanding.

Barkley's a big-time talent, no question. But it's a different game when you're trying to throw from your back.

And in this league, ALL QUARTERBACKS (sorry, my caps tend to lock up, too) encounter that problem.

Ted Miller: Truth is, Wilson, Murray and McCarron are good quarterbacks who look like guys with NFL futures. Loved how McCarron handled the pressure of the title game, and Murray has Pac-12-type talent.

We're trash talking here, but if you can't acknowledge what is real, well, then it's just noise.

And the reality of this debate is this: Barkley would be more challenged on a weekly basis by SEC defenses than by Pac-12 defenses -- which I believe are underrated but still a step behind the SEC for the reasons the Inimitable Low mentioned above. If Barkley played at Vanderbilt, Mississippi State or Kentucky, he'd just be the best quarterback in the history of those programs while leading those teams to "historic" seasons. Like a third-place finish in their divisions.

Yet what makes Barkley, Barkley is not just Barkley. It's USC. It's his supporting cast. It's receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, who will both have NFL careers. And two tight ends who will also. And a good offensive line, and a 1,000-yard rusher who averaged 6.9 yards per carry in 2011 (Curtis McNeal).

By the way, if you wonder where USC's true potential Achilles heel is this year, it's the defensive line. The Trojans have three A-listers -- guys who would be touted in the SEC -- but are thin thereafter. That's a problem for a team that views itself as a national title contender.

That's ultimately the rub here, too. If all goes according to plan, Barkley and USC should be in position to play for the national title. It's hard to imagine that wouldn't be against another SEC team.

Now, Chris, wouldn't it be fun if it were USC and LSU? Recall that in 2003, LSU won 1/16 of the national title when no one in the entire world thought LSU was better than USC, other than computers obviously loaded with all sorts of viruses.

Or USC-Alabama? Great history, and Saban versus Barkley & Co. would certainly attract plenty of eyeballs.

Chris Low: One of the most compelling things that could happen to college football next season would be for USC and Barkley to take their shot at an SEC defense in the money game.

Then, we could quit debating and let it play out on the field. As much as I knew that Alabama and LSU were the two best teams in the country last season, there was a part of me that wanted to see Oklahoma State against either the Alabama or LSU defense in the BCS title game.

It's the matchup we all want to see: A high-powered offense versus a suffocating defense.

Maybe that's what we'll be treated to this fall.

Of course, I go back to the 2010 national title game, and Oregon had been short-circuiting scoreboards all season long. The Ducks go up against an Auburn defense that had been opportunistic, but wasn't one of the best in the SEC that season statistically. But in that game, Auburn put the clamps on Oregon and won 22-19.

The Tigers won because the Ducks couldn't block Nick Fairley.

And that's what the Trojans would run into if they find themselves up against an SEC team next January in Miami.

It won't come down to Barkley. Sure, he'll make a few plays. He's legit. But what it will come down to is the group of guys blocking for Barkley, and that's where it always gets ugly against SEC defenses.

In the meantime, just make sure the Trojans get there. They've been known to stumble along the way, and what we're left with is a bunch of hollow chatter about what they would have done (or could have done) had they made it to the party.

We'll check the guest list in December and chat again then.

Has something seemed odd to you about the BCS bowls this year? Does it seem like ... oh wait, West Virginia just scored again.

Does it seem like ... wait, there goes De'Anthony Thomas. Don't think he'll get caught from behind.

Does it seem like ... wait, would somebody please tackle Justin Blackmon?

Does it seem like there have been a lot of points this bowl season?

It's not just you. There have been a lot of points. More points than ever before. And by huge quantities.

So far, BCS bowl teams have averaged a total of 77 points in the Rose, Fiesta, Orange and Sugar bowls. That, folks, is nearly 26 points more than last year (51.6). And it's nearly 11 points better than the previous high of 66.3 from 2001-02.

Perhaps pairing two SEC teams in the title game has created a black hole sucking all defensive stinginess into the LSU-Alabama rematch, which you might recall went 9-6 with no touchdowns in their first meeting. West Virginia scored 10 touchdowns -- 10! -- against Clemson. Alabama gave up 12 TDs all season.

Speaking of Clemson: ACC. Well, well, well.

After the Tigers ingloriously fell 70-33 to the Mountaineers, we got our second story from the BCS bowl season: The ACC's insistence on throwing up on itself in BCS bowl games.

The conference that was once expected to challenge the SEC is now 2-13 in BCS bowl games. That's hard to do. You'd think in 15 BCS bowls the conference could get lucky at least five or six times. But no, it insists on making ACC blogger Heather Dinich, a genuinely nice person, into some sort of Grim Reaper every bowl season.

Heck, the Big East has won seven BCS bowls -- second fewest among AQ conferences -- but it's 7-7.

Of course, this all ties together, and we're here to bring out a bow, but first a warning: If you don't want to read about how good the SEC is for the 56,314th time this year, then stop reading. I'd recommend an episode of "South Park" or perhaps a John le Carré thriller as an alternative for passing the time.

We can all agree the SEC plays great defense right? Alabama and LSU will play for the title Monday with the nation's top-two defenses. Do you think perhaps that it's not a coincidence that the conference that is 16-7 in BCS bowl games plays great defense?

The only other AQ conference with a winning record in BCS bowl games is the Pac-12, which is 11-7. The Pac-12 isn't known for defense, either, but USC was when it won the conference's last national title in 2004.

The only team to win a BCS national title without an elite defense was Auburn in 2010, but the Tigers' defense seemed to find itself late in the season. Since 1999, eight national champions had a top-10 defense. Other than Auburn, the lowest-rated defense to win a BCS national title was Ohio State in 2002. It ranked 23rd in the nation in total defense.

Three of the four BCS bowl games have been thrillers. Two went to overtime. We've seen big plays all over the field in the passing game and running game. Yet, if things go according to script in the title game, we'll see none of that. We might not see more than a couple of plays that go for more than 20 yards. We might not see any.

Some might call that boring. It might seem that both offenses are so paranoid of making a mistake that they are stuck in mud, both in game plan and execution.

But, snoozefest or not, when the clock strikes zero a team from the SEC will hoist the crystal football for a sixth consecutive time.

That might say something about playing better defense.

Kirk Herbstreit previews Oregon-LSU and Boise State-Georgia.

Well, Chris, we meet again. The SEC and Pac-12 can’t seem to quit each other, eh?

You actually were a good sport about not gloating too hard over your correct prediction that Auburn would outlast Oregon and win the SEC’s fifth consecutive national championship. My prediction? I can’t recall, but I’ll admit a vague recollection of wrongness.

But here we go again: No. 3 Oregon versus No. 4 LSU in Cowboys Stadium. As good a season-opening matchup as we’ve had in decades. Kudos to both programs for having the courage to give college football fans something to look forward to during this dreary, controversy-laden offseason, from which these teams are not exempt by any means. Lots of intrigue in this one -- on and off the field.

But let’s start with the football part of football. Tell me about LSU: What are the Tigers' strengths and what are their question marks?

Chris Low: Honestly, Ted, the SEC has won so many national championships in a row now that it's not as much fun to talk smack. I guess we're sort of used to it here in SEC land. We do rings and NCAA investigations in these parts.

As for the game Saturday night in Arlington, Texas, I can't wait to see the collection of talent and speed on that field. This LSU defense should be the fastest John Chavis has had, and he's always put a premium on speed dating back to his days as Tennessee's defensive coordinator. Not only are the Tigers fast on defense, but they're deep. They have defensive ends, Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, who run like safeties, and Chavis loves to use multiple defensive backs. Just about everybody in LSU's secondary is a former cornerback. The best of the bunch is Morris Claiborne, who can fly. The Tigers are going to play Tyrann Mathieu at nickel and let him roam, which is what he does best. They'll bring him on the blitz one play and drop him into coverage on the next. He had 8.5 tackles for loss as a freshman and forced five turnovers.

While defense will clearly be LSU's strength, the Tigers still have their share of guys on offense capable of making big plays even with quarterback Jordan Jefferson and receiver Russell Shepard sitting this one out. Sophomore running back Spencer Ware is poised to be one of the SEC's top breakout players this season. A former quarterback in high school, he weighs 225 pounds, has great moves and accelerates with the best of them. Senior guard Josh Dworaczyk will miss this game with a knee injury, and that's a blow. He's one of LSU's top offensive linemen. The one thing you don't know about this team is how equipped it would be to have to play from behind. Jarrett Lee is a senior and threw the ball well when he was called upon last season, but it's his show now with Jefferson sidelined. Lee's going to have to be more than just a situational player. I think you'll also see junior college newcomer Zach Mettenberger in this game. He has one of the strongest arms in the SEC, but he hasn't played at this level in a game. The Tigers will certainly have to throw it some to win this game. What I don't think they want to happen is to be in a position where they're having to throw it.

Ted Miller: Everyone is pretty focused on the matchup of the LSU defense and the Oregon offense, which makes sense. Most everyone knows the SEC plays defense at a different level than the rest of the country, though some snarky sorts out West wonder if that’s because those defenses play against SEC offenses. We’ll get to that. I’m just as curious about the Ducks' defense against the LSU offense, even more so with Jefferson out. The Ducks' defense was underrated last year. While it ranked only 34th in the nation in total defense, it gave up just 4.67 yards per play and ranked 20th in third-down defense. For comparison, LSU yielded 4.86 yards per play and ranked 16th in third-down defense.

But that is last year. Oregon is replacing five starters from its front seven. While the defense has been stout during preseason camp -- the feeling is it’s less experienced but bigger and more physically talented than last year -- we really don’t know what it will do against Ware and a run-first attack. As for defending the pass, the Ducks felt like they’d have one of the best secondaries in the country -- not unlike LSU -- heading into the season, but that included All-America cornerback Cliff Harris. Harris, you might have heard, is suspended because he was in a 118 mph hurry to get back to Eugene one offseason night.

But back to that Ducks offense versus LSU's defense matchup. The Ducks' up-tempo, spread-option has been stymied in big games of late when opposing defenses had extra time to prepare and loads of NFL talent in their front seven.

What have you heard about the Tigers' preparation and how does their front-seven personnel compare to Auburn's in 2010?

Chris Low: The best news for the Ducks is that Nick Fairley won't be suiting up for LSU on Saturday. He was the difference out in Glendale, Ariz., back in January, and my contention is that interior line play defensively has been what's set the SEC apart from everybody else the past several years. LSU is extremely talented up front with terrific athletes at the end positions and some promising young talent at tackle. They call true freshman tackle Anthony Johnson "Freak" for a reason. He's big, bad and usually bearing down on whoever has the ball. LSU doesn't have a proven difference-maker up front the caliber of Fairley, but LSU is deeper in the defensive line than Auburn was last season. At linebacker, Ryan Brown is an All-SEC caliber player on the weak side, but the Tigers will sorely miss Kelvin Sheppard in the middle. It looks like converted safety Karnell Hatcher is going to play a bunch in the middle.

Not to take anything away from Auburn's performance last season in the BCS National Championship Game, but LSU is a more talented defense across the board, particularly in the secondary, than the Auburn defense Oregon faced last season.

This also isn't John Chavis' first rodeo. His defenses were the backbone of some of Tennessee's best teams in the late 1990s, and with this being his third season in Baton Rouge, look for the Tigers to play even faster and more instinctively in that system this season. They've been working overtime to make sure they're getting the calls in quick enough, but I'd say you're going to see at least five defensive backs on the field for much of the game.

Ted Miller: All right, so we’ve talked about who will be there. The elephant in the room is who won’t be. The Ducks have two suspended players in cornerback Cliff Harris and middle linebacker Kiko Alonso. (We're guessing with Alonso; Chip Kelly won't say for sure.) More than a few folks saw the suspension of Shepard making the loss of Harris a push -- two all-conference types who also are special-teams stars. Alonso is the Ducks' most physical linebacker, so his loss is significant. Dewitt Stuckey has seen action, but his backup is a walk-on. The Ducks seem fairly healthy heading into the game, though there are questions about receiver Josh Huff, who had been walking around in a boot until recently.

Still, all of this seems less important than the loss of Jordan Jefferson. First, what does losing Jefferson mean to LSU, both as a player and leader? Second, tell us a bit about Lee.

Chris Low: The Tigers will miss Jefferson's ability to scramble and extend the play. He didn't throw it very well last season, but he made several big plays with his legs. In Lee, you get a pure pocket passer who's not going to move around much and look to run.

Lee's story is a good one. He had a brutal redshirt freshman season in which he threw 16 interceptions, including seven that were returned for touchdowns. But he persevered and hung around, and here he is with a chance to lead LSU to a special season as a senior. Lee came off the bench several times last season to save the Tigers, and I don't think there's any question that there's a renewed sense of confidence in him among his teammates.

Shepard is another playmaker you take out of the equation for LSU and a guy who can turn missed tackles into touchdowns, and the other key piece on offense the Tigers will be missing is senior guard Josh Dworaczyk, who's out with an injured knee. He was one of the anchors of that offensive line, so that's three key players missing on offense.

If the Tigers are going to win this one, they have to keep the Ducks from dialing up a bunch of big plays.

Enough talking, though. Let's play. How do you see this one shaking out, Ted?

Ted Miller: Chris, after watching Oregon lose games like this to Boise State, Ohio State and Auburn, I’ve got to admit I see a pattern. Further, I think LSU’s front seven is at least as good as Auburn’s was and the LSU secondary is much better. I think the Ducks' defense will hold down the LSU offense fairly well, but I also think it will feel like a road game for Oregon because of a two-to-one Tigers advantage in the stands. I see a good game, but one in which the Tigers prevail 24-21.

Chris Low: I'm picking the Tigers, too. Imagine that. I tried to convince you to pick Auburn out in Arizona back in January, but you were blinded by those Oregon uniforms. The Ducks play fast, but so does the LSU defense. I also think the Tigers will be able to run the ball well enough to keep that Oregon offense off the field. Get ready for Spencer Ware to formally introduce himself to the college football world in a 28-24 LSU win that soothes a few wounds on the Bayou.

Les Miles talks about dealing with distractions and getting ready for the season opener against Oregon.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Auburn made it five in a row for the SEC, winning a defensive battle of all things to defeat Oregon 22-19 on Monday night in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game.

Here’s an instant analysis of the game:

How the game was won: Auburn drove 73 yards in seven plays for Wes Byrum’s game-winning 19-yard field goal as time expired. The Tigers needed that final drive after Oregon scored and added the tying two-point conversion following a Cam Newton fumble. It wasn’t the offensive shootout everybody was predicting. The two defenses were the show most of the night, and Auburn made more plays on that side of the ball than Oregon.

Turning point: On Auburn’s second play during its game-winning drive, freshman running back Mike Dyer looked like he was down. But the whistle never blew, and he took off for a 37-yard gain down to the Oregon 23.

Turning point II: It looked like Auburn might be on the verge of putting the game away in the fourth quarter, but Newton had the ball poked out of his hands by Oregon’s Casey Matthews. The Ducks, trailing 19-11, took over and tied the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion.

Star of the game: Even though Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley made one bonedhead play when he shoved LaMichael James in the helmet while James was on the ground, Fairley was a dominant force in the middle of that Auburn defensive line and was a big reason the Ducks never really got untracked.

Unsung hero: Dyer came up huge for the Tigers on that final drive. Not only did he have the big 37-yard run, but his 16-yard run down to the 1 set up Byrum’s game-winner.

Stat of the game: Auburn wouldn’t allow Oregon to run the ball and held the Ducks to 75 rushing yards on 32 attempts.

What it means: Auburn completed a stunning two-year turnaround. The Tigers suffered through a losing season in 2008, and two years later, they’re the national champions. It was Auburn’s first national championship since 1957. It’s also the fifth straight year that an SEC team has won the national title. That’s five titles by four different SEC schools, too.

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Before we kick it off here tonight between Auburn and Oregon for the BCS national championship, a few things of note:

• This is the first BCS National Championship Game contested between teams that were not ranked in the AP preseason top 10.Oregon was No. 11 and Auburn No. 22.
• With both of these teams being led by a head coach in his second season at the school, 10 of the past 11 coaches to win the BCS national championship will have done it within their first four seasons with that program.
• Auburn has trailed in eight of its 13 victories this season and overcame double-digit deficits to beat Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
• The SEC is 6-0 in BCS National Championships and has won its past seven national title games if you go back to the 1997 Sugar Bowl. No. 3 Florida beat No. 1 Florida State after No. 2 Arizona State had already lost in the Rose Bowl. Auburn can give the SEC five straight BCS titles, with four different schools winning the past four.
• Auburn quarterback Cam Newton leads the nation in passing efficiency (188.2, which would be an FBS single-season record) and entered the bowl season ranked 10^th nationally with 1,409 rushing yards, which is the most for a quarterback in SEC history. He’s one of three players in FBS history to have 20 touchdown passes and 20 touchdown runs in the same season.
• Oregon’s LaMichael James leads the country over the past two seasons with 36 runs of 25 yards or longer.
• Auburn’s Gene Chizik is 7-0 in bowl games as a head coach and assistant coach.

The time for talking -- and typing -- is almost over as we get ready for the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game between No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Oregon, a pair of unbeatens who light up the scoreboard.

But first we need to get off the fence and make a prediction from both the Pac-10 and SEC blogs.

Chris, I'll start us off.

Oregon 38, Auburn 30: Auburn has a couple of outstanding individual players in quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Nick Fairley, but the Ducks are a superior team. The Tigers' comeback win over Alabama was impressive -- perhaps the most impressive performance in the regular season -- but they also played a number of close games against teams that the Ducks would have taken to the woodshed. To me, it seems like Auburn peaked 37 days ago, which is too early. The Ducks are going to be sharp bell-to-bell. They will outflank the Tigers, they will wear them down and then they will get physical and knock them over. Newton and Fairley will make some plays, but in the end they won't make enough as the Pac-10 ends the SEC's run of national titles at four.

Chris Low: Ted, I do believe that we’re actually going to play a football game.

Auburn 42, Oregon 31: After 30-plus days off and breaking this game down from every angle imaginable, we find out who’s ready to take home the crystal trophy. Oregon will no doubt put a lot of pressure on Auburn’s defense. But in the end, the Ducks won’t be able to tackle Newton. Who has this season? The Tigers also won’t stray from their clutch lock-down mode defensively in the fourth quarter and will walk away with the SEC’s fifth straight BCS national championship.

Here’s a look at three keys for Auburn in its matchup Monday night with Oregon in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game:

1. Dictate the flow of the game: The opening of this game ought to be fascinating as the two teams try to feel each other out. But right away, Auburn’s veteran offensive line needs to establish itself, and the Tigers need to establish that they can run the ball when they want to, whether it’s Cam Newton, Mike Dyer or Onterio McCalebb. There are going to be some big plays in this game on both sides. That’s a given. But this is one of those games where long drives will be at a premium for Auburn.

2. Make the Ducks earn it: The way Oregon has overwhelmed teams this season is by scoring quickly and then keeping up a pace into the second half that few teams can manage. What the Tigers have to stay away from is allowing big scoring plays, whether that’s on offense or special teams. They need to make the Ducks go the distance and not give up anything easy, which includes any defensive touchdowns.

3. Win the fourth quarter: It's been one of the things Auburn has done best all season, but the same goes for Oregon. One turnover or one key defensive stop could be the difference. Neither one of these teams is ever out of it, as both have the ability to come back from large deficits. The team that wins the fourth quarter is going to win this game.