Alabama is the only team that can match LSU defensively, but have been inconsistent offensively and, despite playing in the same division, do not have near as impressive of a resume. Outside of a 38-14 win against No. 6 Arkansas earlier in the season, the Tide do not have much to write home about.
After not scoring a touchdown against LSU the week prior, Alabama struggled to score against a Mississippi State team with only one conference win. They led 10-0 at the beginning of the fourth quarter and needed at touchdown with 1:18 remaining to make the scoreline respectable.
Many experts seem to think a rematch with LSU is inevitable, but I think given their recent slide, relatively weak remaining schedule (Georgia Southern and No. 24 Auburn), and the fact that they will be idle during conference championship weekend all hurt their chances.
We have seen it in the past when a Big Ten team would get passed up the final weekend because they didn't have a conference championship. Oregon, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and LSU will all be playing December 3rd while Alabama watches over their shoulder.
Oklahoma currently sits right behind Alabama in the computer rankings, which make up one third of the final BCS number. If the Sooners win out, eventually defeating No. 2 Oklahoma State, it will surely be enough to jump Alabama in the computer rankings.
It will be up to the human polls at that point and I'd bet there will be enough voters that do not want to see a rematch to allow OU to edge out Alabama in the final BCS poll.