Romney needs to capture some evangelical and tea party voters to take a Southern state. (Wikimedia Commons)

Romney has admitted that a strong showing in the South--which would be his first--is exactly the type of victory he needs to convince the GOP he has sway with the far right. But Monday's polls show Romney neck-and-neck with Newt Gingrich. Rick Santorum trails in both states, but hopes the evangelical and ultra-conservative delegates could push him over the edge, effectively knocking Gingrich out of the race. As it stands now, Santorum is splitting those votes with Gingrich, thereby helping Romney's campaign.

"We feel we're in a good position to win it outright," Santorum said over the weekend at a Mississippi rally.

But before the Southern votes are even tallied, Romney's campaign is claiming a virtual mathematical victory. Romney's staff sent an email blast over the weekend implying that Santorum's victory is Kansas was merely a symbolic one, according to CNN. With 217 delegates so far, Santorum has some catching up to do to reach Romney's 454. And at just 107 delegates to do date, Gingrich needs a double victory Tuesday to remain a legitimate contender for the nomination.

Alabama governor Robert Brantley spoke out Monday, saying Romney's faith may be the thing giving Southerners pause. 

"I think that's a very subtle issue that probably-may be a problem in many states, not just in Alabama," Brantley told Fox News.

The Christian Science Monitor speculated that another challenge may be Romney's admitted lack a familiarity with the region. But Romney is doing everything he can to paint himself as an enthusiastic student of the South.

"I'm looking forward to going out and hunting with you sometime and you can actually show me which end of the rifle to point," he joked in Mississippi.

There are 110 delegates at stake in Tuesday's primaries. Also on the table are caucuses in Hawaii and American Samoa.

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