Alabama 21, LSU 0: My Top 10 CBS Contemplations
10. After that epic castration for all the world to see, wonder if those smug, stubborn media members who vowed to vote LSU No. 1 regardless of Monday night's result followed through on their promise? Of course they didn't. Well, actually, one knucklehead still voted the Tigers No. 1. Wonder what he watched last night?
9. And it could've been worse: Alabama missed a field goal, had one blocked and botched an extra point. 21-0 felt like 41-0. With all the field-goal attempts the real winner was last night was Allstate Insurance and its shrewd sponsorship of the kicking net that was constantly raised and focused upon.
8. "Honey Badger" is a cool nickname and all, but LSU's overhyped cornerback Tyrann Mathieu got worked over last night. Beat on long passes, blocked in the running game and neutered on kick returns. Yawn.
7. Ladies and gentlemen, we now have a National Champion that didn't win its conference or even finish first in its division.
6. I know he's goofy and giddy and "Look-at-that-rascal" corny, but I love Brent Musburger calling a big game.
5. Didn't think Alabama's A.J. McCarron would be the best quarterback on the field, but he left no doubt. 'Bama immediately put LSU on its heels with aggressive play-calling and surprising passes downfield. In the face of a defense that was supposed to intimidate him, McCarron was cool, calm and productive.
4. Nick Saban now has three National Championships. Only coaches with more: Bear Bryant (6), John McKay (4) and Frank Leahy (4). Saban's secret: "I'm a day-to-day guy. I'm process-oriented." Take heart, Jason Garrett.
3. Not saying Oklahoma State would beat Alabama, but I am saying I'd like to see the Tide have to face a passing game led by quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon. Says Cowboys coach Mike Gundy, "We'd throw it 50 times against them."
2. Considering the futility, don't understand why LSU coach Les Miles didn't go to backup quarterback Jarrett Lee. The Tigers amassed only 92 yards, five first downs and crossed midfield just once under Jordan Jefferson. LSU wasn't one-dimensional, it was non-dimensional. Lee couldn't have been any more harmless.
1. Not sure if Alabama is the best team, but I'm sure they have the best defense. The Tide's defense never allowed more than 14 points (Georgia Southern got 7 on a kickoff return) and became only the second unit – along with Oklahoma in '86 – to finish the season ranked No. 1 in all four major statistical categories: Total, scoring, rushing and passing defense. LSU led the SEC averaging 38.5 points per game, but in eight quarters and overtime against 'Bama the Tigers mustered a measly nine points.
