LSU's shot at history

With two national powers from the SEC going head-to-head in Monday's Allstate BCS National Championship Game, it may be difficult for most of the country to find a rooting interest.

But within the context of college football history, the winner of this game between the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide could be far more significant than just determining the next name on the list of consecutive national champs from the SEC.

With a win, Alabama would record its ninth national championship in either the AP or coaches' poll, which would move the Tide into sole possession of first place in that category, breaking a tie with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. And Nick Saban, who is already the only coach in the poll era (since 1936) to win a national title with more than one school, would become the 10th coach in the poll era with three national titles. There's no question that Saban is destined to land in the College Football Hall of Fame, but a win on Jan. 9 would put him in even more select company as one of the best to ever coach the game.

The historical possibilities, however, are even more intriguing if LSU wins. The Tigers would have twice beaten No. 2 Alabama and have also beaten No. 3 Oregon and No. 3 Arkansas. That would put them with 1943 Notre Dame as the only teams in college football history to defeat four teams ranked in the top three in a season.

But in terms of LSU's shot at history, there's even more that the Tigers could accomplish next season.

To read more about LSU's shot at history in 2012, plus get complete access to Insider's bowls coverage, sign up for ESPN Insider.

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Brad Edwards

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Brad Edwards covers college football for ESPN Insider. An expert on the BCS formula, Edwards works for the ESPN Stats & Information group and appears regularly as an analyst across ESPN's television, radio and mobile platforms.