LSU at Alabama NFL Draft watch notes

This is it. LSU at Alabama. The game of the century (of the year). The winner is probable player in the national title game (unless they lose in the SEC Championship game). OK, this one isn't quite for all the Tostitos, but a nice handful.

In regard to the 2012 NFL Draft, Alabama's Trent Richardson is overwhelmingly the best player in the game. The powerhouse junior is a franchise back, and the rare one worth a top 10 pick. Richardson is shifty, strong and fast enough to pull away from defenders.

LSU counters Richardson with a young but incredibly talented defensive line. At this time next year, we're probably going to be referring to LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers as an early pick in the first round. The redshirt sophomore is a great talent at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds.  Bennie Logan, also a redshirt sophomore tackle, always seems to be around the ball. Fellow sophomore Barkevious Mingo is another top talent for 2013. The end is fluid and explosive off the snap. Right defensive end Sam Montgomery (yet another sophomore) is a solid player who plays with more power than Mingo. All four can fly to the ball, so Richardson and backup Eddie Lacy will have to rely on their power.

This game features some great cornerback/wide receiver match-ups as well. LSU wide receiver Reuben Randle is having a good season with 33 catches for 638 yards and seven touchdowns. Randle is a good vertical threat and can get behind cornerbacks. He'll have a hard time doing that if the Crimson Tide's Dre Kirkpatrick is lined up against him. Kirkpatrick has bounced back after an average start to the season. He's still a legit first-round talent. Alabama's other cornerback, DeQuan Menzie is underrated but he has an interception and eight pass breakups this season. The senior has a late-round grade.

Kirkpatrick and Menzie are helped by perhaps the best safety duo in the nation in Mark Barron and Robert Lester. The hard hitting Baron is arguably the best safety prospect in the 2012 draft. Lester has more range but isn't as consistent as Barron.

A big key to this game could be the play of Alabama wide receiver Marquis Maze. He's a solid, but smaller, wide receiver. He'll have a hard time getting open as he's going against either Morris Claiborne or Tyrann Mathieu for LSU. But Maze is very good on kick and punt returns. In a game where both teams have so much talent, field position and special teams are going to be key.

The other key to the game could be LSU's use of the option with senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson. While Jefferson doesn't project well to the NFL, he's a good foil for the physical Alabama linebackers. Dont'a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are possible first-round picks, but their lateral movement are question marks.

Other prospects to watch tonight:

- Alabama NT Josh Chapman: A big-bodied tackle who is hard to move. He's good at sucking in blockers and playing double teams.

- Alabama LT Barrett Jones: Jones is a dependable left tackle who is strong against power rushers. How he fares against the quick LSU ends will be interesting to watch.

- Alabama RT D.J. Fluker: A redshirt sophomore who starts on the right side, Fluker is the key to the Alabama run game. He's unlikely to come out, but if he does he could be the fourth-best tackle in the class.

- LSU TE DeAngelo Peterson: Looks to be a much better pro than college player because of the offense he plays in. Has nice size and is an asset in the play action game.

- LSU S Brandon Taylor: Taylor is a solid box safety who projects as a backup/special teams player at the next level. He should be near the football at all times tonight because Alabama doesn't throw deep often.