[Tuck4Bama]

NEW ORLEANS -- First off, let it be known that I am not one of those who thinks Ohio State's appearance in this game is some kind of sham. I'm certainly not a believer in the popular myth that SEC teams are inherently "faster" than Big Ten teams.

I consider Monday night's BCS National Championship Game to be a fairly even matchup between two highly talented teams with loaded defenses, which should make for a rare, close-fought, defense-dominated title game.

I've believed since nearly the start of the season, however, that LSU is the most dangerous team in the country when healthy, and its late-season SEC struggles did little to change that opinion.

SI.com - Writers - Stewart Mandel: Finally healthy, LSU will ride experience to title win - Monday January 7, 2008 11:21AM