New Orleans, LA

Top ranked LSU is going to have to take out a familiar foe for the second time this season to win another national title.

When the final BCS standings were announced Sunday, Alabama barely stayed ahead of Oklahoma State and will meet the Tigers in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game Monday, January 9, 2012, at the Superdome.

LSU (13-0) beat Alabama (11-1) in overtime 9-6 in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 5. The fact that the Tigers had already defeated the Crimson Tide created some sentiment for the Cowboys to get a shot at LSU.

It didn't happen and the national title will be decided by a rematch that few are particularly happy about outside of SEC country.

"Our players and everyone associated with our program are very excited about the opportunity to play in the national championship game," said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. "We are very appreciative of the chance to play an LSU team that we have tremendous respect for and we are looking forward to the challenge."

LSU will be seeking its third BCS championship since 2003. The Superdome was the site of the Tigers' first two at the Superdome— the site of its first two.

"The good news is that we've been in this game before, understand what it means to play game with a month out and how to divide the time. We're prepared," LSU coach Les Miles said. "The first place we will start is the first game where we played them. It might be rendered as diferent. I think there will be some similarities and some contrasting styles."

Oklahoma State wrapped up the Big 12 title Saturday night with a 44-10 beatdown of Oklahoma. The win was enough to push the Cowboys closer to the Crimson Tide but not past them. Instead the Fiesta Bowl benefits with a matchup between No. 3 Oklahoma State and No. 4 Stanford.

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