New Orleans, LA

There is a saying in football that defense wins championships. You won't find anyone associated with the Alabama Crimson Tide who would disagree.

Alabama got the rematch it needed and took full advantage as its defense thoroughly dominated LSU Monday night in the Superdome as the Crimson Tide won the BCS National Title game 21-0.

There may still be some debate about how Alabama was in the game in the first place and the need for a playoff, but the Crimson Tide pretty much put an end to the debate about who is No. 1 this season thanks to its defense.

"They are a hateful bunch," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "And they are as competitive as you can ever imagine."

While Alabama's defense is competitive, the game against LSU was not.

The Crimson Tide became the first team in 25 years to finish No. 1 nationally in all four major statistical defense categories (total, rushing, passing and scoring defense). They finished the season having allowed just 8.2 points per game.

Oklahoma in 1986 is the last team to lead the nation in fewest points allowed, rushing defense, passing defense and total defense. Alabama had the lowest scoring defense since Auburn in 1988 and the lowest total defense since Oklahoma in 1986.

Led by dominating linebackers Courtney Hightower and Dont'a Hightower and the game's defensive MVP Courtney Upshaw, the Crimson Tide completely dominated the Tigers' offense.

LSU didn't cross midfield until there were 8 minutes left in the game and the Tigers finished with just 92 yards and five first downs.

"This defense is built on stopping them, and that's what we did," Upshaw said. "We wanted to come out and show the world we beat ourselves the first game. We wanted to come out and dominate from start to finish, and that's what we did."

Alabama finished with four sacks and and interception and harassed LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson all night. The Crimson tide outgained the Tigers 384-92 and posted the first shutout in BCS title game history.

Now coach Nick Saban has won a pair of BCS titles at Alabama, plus another at LSU in 2003 and is the first coach to win three BCS titles overall.

He can thank his defense.

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