LSU wins second BCS Title, beats Ohio State

Jim Tressel deserves credit for creating a college football dynasty at Ohio State, appearing in their third National Championship game this decade with his Buckeyes. Just like 2006 the Buckeyes took an early lead on a huge play, this time a 65-yard run by RB Chris “Beanie” Wells, and again like last year that about summed up the Buckeye offensive excitement.

For the second year in a row the Buckeyes journeyed to the final only to come up short, this time to the LSU Tigers in a 38-24 final in the BCS Championship Game.

Let us focus now on the victors and their triumph in the SuperDome - I made mention in my preview that the game would be decided when Ohio State had the ball, and did it ever. The Tiger star DT Glenn Dorsey remained statistically silent for most of the game, but the Buckeye focus on neutering him allowed other defenders to yield two picks and five sacks. I gave the special teams edge to LSU based on K Colt David alone, but a blocked FG by Ricky Jean-Francois early in the second quarter was also huge.

Did I mention that Tiger QB Matt Flynn pitched four TDs? He should go down as one of the great bowl quarterbacks in recent history (Miami Hurricane fans may recall the 2005 Peach Bowl that marked the breakdown of the program). There were fewer trick plays than I expected, but the one that stood out was an unbalanced-line-five-wide formation pass to TE Richard Dickson early in the second quarter that pulled the momentum back to the home team for good.

LSU deserves to also be mentioned among the elite football programs - three straight 11-win seasons under the guidance of the Mad Hatter Coach Les Miles, a developing tradition of developing NFL talent, and now two BCS Championship Game victories in the last four years (split national title with USC in 2004).

SMARTASS COMMENTARY

Michigan boosters are pissed that they let a coach get away who could beat Ohio State.

Was that the most awkward halftime contest ever? Alumni kickers playing H-O-R-S-E for a $25k scholarship, a pittance considering what each team earned for their conference ($14mil each). Chris Myers made it even more awkward when he had to ask for applause - I thought he was going to ask if the guy with the faux-hawk was going to propose to the southpaw…

Maybe not so smartass, but you must appreciate the Buckeyes getting to another title game in another sport. The Buffalo Bill comparisons are sure to be bountiful, but seriously every program in the country would love to have a chance at #2 every year.

FANTASY IMPACT

LSU DC Bo Pelini leaves the bayou and is now the head coach of Nebraska - will the Tigers continue to push the envelope by producing excellent defenses?

LSU was not a fantasy hotbed this year - there was depth at all positions including a two headed quarterback system. Ryan Perriloux comes back and should have the job to himself making him an intriguing fantasy pick. Also keep an eye out for the young wide receiver group (particularly Brandon Lafell) with the graduation of Early Doucet.

Ohio State is an extremely young team - just about everyone comes back and given the poor quality of defense in that conference their could be some fantasy gold beyond just Chris Wells.

CBS Sports GameCenter