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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

BCS National Championship 2012: Courtney Upshaw, A.J. McCarron Named MVPs

The 2012 BCS National Championship has finished, with the Alabama Crimson Tide winning 21-0 over the LSU Tigers. The Alabama defense completely shut down LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and the LSU offense, but one player in particular had a great night defensively.

Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw was named the defensive MVP of the game thanks to his ability to completely sniff out the LSU option and shut it down. Upshaw also was masterful in sniffing out run plays and putting pressure on Jefferson when he dropped back to pass.

Upshaw seemed surprised when he was named the winner and immediately shared credit with all of his defensive teammates. “Yes sir, the entire defense,” he said as he accepted the award, quickly handing it off to his teammates. “That’s why I’ma pass this on to my whole defense. Touch that thing folk. Leggo! Roll Tide, baby!”

While the offense was slow to get started, quarterback A.J. McCarron was able to efficiently moving the football down the field. McCarron didn't get the Tide in the endzone, but he was able to avoid mistakes and move the chains, picking up 234 yards in the air passing the football and some yards on the ground when LSU put pressure on him. For that, McCarron was awarded the offensive MVP of the game.

For more on the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, visit LSU blog And the Valley Shook, Alabama blog Roll Bama Roll and SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

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