CBS is promoting this matchup of #1 vs. #2 as “The Game of the Century”. The rare in-season matchup of the 1st and 2nd ranked teams in the Bowl Championship Series led to an even rare four-way trade among CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN and Versus to make this happen in primetime.
To push this game into primetime, CBS had to get a concessions from ESPN and Versus in exchange for future considerations in the SEC and getting a game to replace LSU-Alabama in its original 3:30 p.m. timeslot.
It may not be fascinating to you, but it was to me. Anyway, here’s what CBS is saying about LSU-Alabama with some quotes from SEC on CBS analyst Gary Danielson.
“THE SEC ON CBS” FEATURES NO. 1-RANKED LSU TAKING ON NO. 2-RANKED ALABAMA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 IN PRIME TIME
Army Battles Air Force at 3:30 PM, ET
Audibles with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary DanielsonCBS Sports’ coverage of the SEC ON CBS continues on Saturday, Nov. 5 (8:00 PM, ET) with a national broadcast of *No. 1-ranked LSU taking on *No. 2-ranked Alabama.
The CBS Television Network’s lead college football announce team of Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson call the action live from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tracy Wolfson serves as lead reporter. Craig Silver, the Network’s coordinating producer of college football, produces and Steve Milton directs.
The day kicks-off with Army taking on Air Force at 3:30 PM, ET from Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Spero Dedes, analyst Steve Beuerlein and reporter Lewis Johnson handle the call.
Coverage begins with CBS COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPECIAL (2:30-3:00 PM, ET) followed by COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show at 3:00 PM, ET. Tim Brando hosts, along with analysts Spencer Tillman and Tony Barnhart. Vin DeVito produces and Linda Malino directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.
Following Saturday’s game, CBSSports.com will stream the “5th Quarter with Gary Danielson,” an interactive show produced live from the SEC ON CBS CRUISER, an all-access mobile media vehicle. The “5th Quarter with Gary Danielson” provides fans an opportunity to chat with Danielson and discuss all the day’s SEC storylines and college football news. Fans also can follow Danielson via Twitter: @DanielsonCBS.
In addition, CBS Sports will stream the LSU-Alabama game, as well as the entire 2011 SEC ON CBS football schedule live on CBSSports.com. The games are available exclusively on CBSSports.com, CBS Sports Mobile and also can be accessed through a link on the websites of all CBS affiliates.
*BCS Rankings as of 10/30/11
* * * * *
Audibles with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary Danielson
(ON WILD CARD FACTORS FOR LSU-ALABAMA)
There are two wild card factors in my mind. First, turnovers in the fourth quarter. Alabama has been guilty of this. They turned the ball over again last year in the fourth quarter. End of the game turnovers have been a big part of this series. I think it will happen again. These teams will tire at the end of the game. They will be pounding on each other. It’s like two fighters from rounds 12-15. You get there. You’re spent. You’re pounding up against a guy that’s going to be playing in the NFL in three to five years. And that’s when those mistakes end up happening, toward the end of the game. The other wild card factor in this game is, can Alabama replace Julio Jones? He was a big part of this football game for the last three years.(ON LSU AND ALABAMA DEFENSES)
I wish I could break down a big difference, but every time I think one side has an advantage, I look at the other side, and they have a guy just like it.(ON THE RUNNING GAME)
LSU runs more with a fullback and it’s one of the main pressure points in this football game. Pressure points can be established anywhere on the field, and one of the most interesting things about this football game is because nobody has been able to push these two teams. If there are cracks in the plumbing, those hairline cracks have not shown up yet. Until pressure is applied somewhere, we don’t know where they are…I don’t see anybody that runs the ball against Alabama like LSU has. LSU runs right at them and has been effective.
More college football stuff is on the way.
