The 2008 BCS National Championship Game features the 11-1 Ohio State Buckeyes and the 11-2 LSU Tigers. This is interesting as LSU was expected out of the championship game after the overtime loss to Arkansas but the team managed to jump past Georgia and fend of hot teams like Oklahoma, USC, and Virginia Tech. LSU has one of the tougher schedules in the nation and has played some quality opponents. Ohio State has used a weaker schedule which includes teams like Youngstown State, Kent State, and Akron but has won the games it needed to win to be in the BCS National Championship by beating Purdue, Penn State, and Michigan. A playoff would definitely show the weakness of the Buckeyes but for now they are contenders for the BCS championship. This games is about the LSU speed and defense versus that powerful Ohio State offensive line and the hard, powerful Ohio State team.
For those that think LSU should not be in the championship game, you have to look at the intangibles. A playoff system would allow red hot teams to win or teams who are coming back from injuries like USC to show how good their teams really are which makes it more fair. However for BCS numbers, LSU deserves a spot by playing 7 ranked teams, losing only against one. The team has had some coaching issues but with Les Miles announcing he will come back, the team was able to win the SEC conference championship and bounce back into the BCS title game, giving its fans a crazy roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Matt Flynn and the LSU defense has been a cornerstone for the team but Ryan Perrilloux was able to win the SEC title for them. LSU is all about speed and a fast game with lots of talent at all positions. The team has great speed, talent, and a good defense and should make this game very interesting.
Ohio State is questioned for its schedule and has not beaten anyone ranked under #20 in the polls at the time. Jim Tressel has his offense and defense playing tough and did not let down against Michigan after the loss to Illinois which gave the team the opportunity to play after some major upsets in a college football year full of them. Ohio State is still a powerful team that hits hard and plays hard. Todd Boeckman and that outstanding offensive line have allowed the offense including runningback Chris Wells and wide receiver Brian Robiskie to reach the endzone. The Ohio State offensive line should control the line of scrimmage in this game as well.