A flurry of late-season upsets among teams at the top of the rankings thrust the BCS National Championship outlook into mayhem.
When the dust settled, top-ranked LSU earned a chance to play for the Southeastern Conference Championship, while No. 2 Alabama, a likely shoo-in for the BCS Championship game, watches from Tuscaloosa, Ala.
If the undefeated Tigers win Saturday against No. 14 Georgia in Atlanta, LSU will be a lock for the BCS title game. But according to BCS experts, a loss to the Bulldogs wouldn’t eliminate the Tigers from national title contention.
Regardless of this weekend’s result, LSU is almost guaranteed a berth in the BCS Championship game.
LSU coach Les Miles said despite the rumors, the Tigers won’t overlook the Bulldogs.
“We intend to make a great showing for ourself and prepare and play well,” Miles said. “This is what a team sets its sights for at the beginning of the do.”
Reid said any talk about the game’s BCS implications is nothing new and won’t distract from the team’s goal.
Sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu said talk about a possible LSU-Alabama rematch is “kind of like that little tic in your ear,” but won’t impact what happens on the field this weekend.
“Realistically, we’re going to be playing Georgia, and pretty much whatever happens after that happens,” Mathieu said.
Mathieu credited LSU strength and conditioning coach Tommy Moffitt with keeping the team grounded amid the rumors.
“[Moffitt] always tells use we have to win the SEC West first, and then we have to win the SEC in order to get to the BCS game,” Mathieu said.
 
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