Should Alabama defeat LSU on Monday night, the Crimson Tide can expect to receive every first-place vote in the final USA Today coaches’ poll.
The final Associated Press poll, however, could wind up with Alabama, LSU and even Oklahoma State receiving first-place votes. Several AP voters are against voting for the Tide, who could become the first national champions in the BCS era that failed to win their conference.
“It’s a national championship game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “LSU beat us and won the SEC championship, and now this is a completely different venue. The voters and the system proved out that these are the two best teams, and we’re going to play for the national championship.
“I think whoever wins should be viewed as the national champion.”
LSU coach Les Miles, whose Tigers won 9-6 in overtime in Tuscaloosa and had to play an extra game when they thumped Georgia 42-10 for the SEC title, agrees with Saban’s assessment.