NEW ORLEANS — The curse of playing in the BCS National Championship Game is the opportunity to watch each of the 35 previously played bowl games.
This is a sampling of what the BCS combatants, LSU and Alabama — the nation’s two best defensive teams, who played a no-touchdown, 9-6 overtime slugfest on Nov. 5 — saw:
Oregon beat Wisconsin, 45-38. Oklahoma State beat Stanford, 41-38. Baylor beat Washington, 67-56, in a game that resulted in Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian firing his defensive coordinator.
“That stuff is boring,’’ Alabama running back Trent Richardson said. “All those points are enough.’’
Real football fans will see real football — football with hitting and blocking and, dare we say, tackling — tomorrow night, say the players who will pummel each other in the national title game at the Superdome.
The rematch of LSU-Alabama probably won’t be as low-scoring as the first game, but points will be precious.
This just in: Defense wins championships.
“When a game is so close that anybody could win the game, and it’s so close that at any point in the game any play can change the game, that’s great football,’’ LSU cornerback Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu said. “I know Alabama feels the same way about that.’’
The Nov. 5 game became a lightning rod for fans. Some loathed the ineptitude of the offenses and the dearth of points. Others marveled at the speed and hitting of the defenses.
One play epitomized the defenses’ will and skill that day. With the score tied 6-6, Alabama rolled the dice on a first-and-10 from the LSU 28.
Wide receiver Marquis Maze, operating from the shotgun, took the snap and feigned one step. He pulled up and lofted a pass to tight end Michael Williams, who initially was wide open.
The 6-foot-6 Williams rose up for what seemed a certain touchdown reception. But LSU safety Eric Reid closed, rose and though he’s only 6-foot-2, pulled the ball from Williams’ grasp.
LSU eventually kicked a field goal in overtime to win.
When Reid walked into his economics class that Monday, he received a standing ovation. At least some fans appreciate defense.
“That was like an NFL play,” safety Brandon Taylor said.
Which is what Alabama-LSU is about. It is not spread-option and no-huddle. It is what you will see in the NFL playoffs.
Kirby Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, was asked if the 9-6 game was boring.
“Just ask the NFL what they think,’’ he said.
We don’t have to. The players, even the ones on offense, who will bleed and sweat and hit, hit, hit for the right to be called national champions have seen the pinball bowl games that have been played.
“I don’t think that’s a game,’’ LSU running back Michael Ford said. “It’s a hard-”‘nosed game we’ve got back there. We go through the trenches. I think people get tired of seeing all those points on the board. They want to see a hard-”‘fought game.’’
Tomorrow night, they will.