10 Potential BCS Bowl Matchups a SEC Team Could Lose

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Since the BCS format was installed back in 1998, the SEC has appeared in a BCS bowl 23 times and has the most BCS victories with 16.

This season, with many ranked teams from this conference in the current BCS rankings, there is really no question that likely two SEC programs are going to be accepted to a big game once again. One of those teams will likely appear in the BCS National Championship and will put the conference's reputation on the line as it goes for its seventh straight title.

But if we have learned anything from bowl season, it is that any team has a shot of winning the game and upsets are plentiful.

Here are 10 matchups that could go to the other conference and hand the SEC a rare loss in a BCS bowl in 2012.

LSU vs. Oklahoma

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS Sugar Bowl

How This Matchup Would Happen: LSU loses the SEC Championship Game, while Oklahoma gets selected as an at-large bid.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: LSU hasn't looked great on the offensive side of the ball, while Landry Jones and company are beginning to find themselves for the Sooners. Oklahoma also would be able to match the intensity on defense that should be able to slow down that powerful running-game of the Tigers. After all, Bob Stoops has one of the few squads in the Big 12 that actually understands the concept of defense.

Florida vs. USC

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS Sugar Bowl

How This Matchup Would Happen: Florida loses SEC Championship Game, while USC gets selected as an at-large bid.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: We know Florida has a terrific defensive unit, but can quarterback Jeff Driskel make enough throws to keep up with this explosive USC offense? The Gators will likely slow this unit down, but completely shutting down the Trojans offense is highly unlikely. This may actually be the first time the first-year starter would have to throw the ball 30 times or so.

Georgia vs. Notre Dame

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS Sugar Bowl

How This Matchup Would Happen: Georgia loses SEC Championship Game, while Notre Dame gets selected as an at-large bid.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: Georgia hasn't looked great in pressure situations, while the Irish keep finding ways to win regardless. It is also worth noting that Georgia hasn't played well in big games and is 2-9 against ranked opponents since the 2009 season. Notre Dame has seemed to turn on the light this year and is playing its best football in years.

LSU vs. USC

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS Sugar Bowl

How This Matchup Would Happen: LSU loses SEC Championship Game, while USC gets selected as an at-large bid.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: The LSU secondary has been beaten at times and has looked confused in coverage, which won't look good when trying to cover receivers such as Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. Quarterback Zach Mettenberger would also have to make a few plays for the Tigers in this game, and he has yet to show he is capable of doing so.

Georgia vs. Oklahoma

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS Sugar Bowl

How This Matchup Would Happen: Georgia loses the SEC Championship Game, while Oklahoma gets selected as an at-large bid.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: Despite Georgia not showing up in big games, the Bulldogs offensive line has not held up well against teams that are good at pressuring the quarterback. Oklahoma has a defense that is ranked 16th in the country, and players such as Jamarkus McFarland are more than capable of ruining a quarterbacks day.

Alabama vs. Kansas State

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS National Championship

How This Matchup Would Happen: Both teams run the table and finish as the Top 2 teams in the BCS rankings.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: Kansas State may not be as talented as Alabama, may lack the overall speed and certainly isn't as physical as the Crimson Tide. But Kansas State is a disciplined football team that doesn't hurt itself with turnovers and penalties. It also has one of the best college football players in Collin Klein.

Anytime you play solid football without shooting yourself in the foot, you give your team a shot at winning.

Florida vs. Notre Dame

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS Sugar Bowl or BCS National Championship

How This Matchup Would Happen: Florida loses the SEC Championship Game, while Notre Dame gets selected as an at-large bid. Or both teams run the table and finish as the Top 2 teams in the final BCS rankings.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: This would likely be a defensive battle, as both teams are currently undefeated because of terrific play on that side of the ball. Whenever you are in a low scoring contest, it is the simple things that determine the outcome of the game. Florida has averaged eight penalties and has allowed 21 sacks through the first seven games.

Alabama vs. Oregon

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS National Championship Game

How This Matchup Would Happen: Both teams run the table and finish as the Top 2 teams in the final BCS rankings.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: While the Alabama defense has played as well as last year's at times, it is still a young unit that hasn't faced an offense as explosive as the Ducks. And while Oregon may get credit for its offense, Chip Kelly and company aren't exactly bad on the defensive side of the ball either. Having faced a few SEC teams in the past, Oregon may finally be ready to knock down one of the big boys in college football.

Florida vs. Oklahoma

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS Sugar Bowl

How This Matchup Would Happen: Florida loses SEC Championship Game, while Oklahoma gets selected as an at-large bid.

Why SEC Team Could Lose: Same reason any other SEC team could lose against Oklahoma. The Sooners are very much like teams in this conference, as they run the ball effectively and play solid defense in their own right. Difference is that Oklahoma also has an accomplished quarterback that is capable of lighting you up for 300 yards in a single game.

SEC Team vs. SEC Team

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BCS Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place: BCS National Championship

How This Matchup Would Happen: Two SEC teams finish in the Top 2 of the final BCS rankings. This may sound like it is impossible to witness again, but with four SEC teams in the current Top 10, there is a possibility of this happening. 

Why SEC Team Could Lose: Do I really need to explain this? It is really the only guaranteed way an SEC team is going to lose a BCS bowl this year. However, it would also guarantee a seventh straight BCS National Championship victory and give fans of this conference bragging rights for another year.