Alabama vs. LSU: The 10 Most Likely BCS Championship Matchups for 2012-13 Season

After one of the more boring BCS national championships in recent memory, looking ahead to the next season of college football seems like the right thing to do.

While Alabama and LSU clearly were the top two teams in the nation, it is never too early to speculate on who will be playing in this game next year.

Some of the best teams in the country this season were extremely young and have a lot of talent coming back, while other teams are going to be losing some of their stars.

A lot can happen in the next few months with players leaving early and recruits changing their minds.

It is never too early to speculate on who will be playing for the national championship next season—here are the 10 most likely BCS championship game matchups for next year.

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10. Michigan vs. Virginia Tech

Starting off the list is a rematch of this year's Sugar Bowl.

The game came down to the wire, and a BCS National Championship Game rematch next season may not be too bad.

Both teams are likely to be ranked near the Top 10 when the season begins and play in conferences where it will be possible to run the table and go undefeated.

Michigan returns star quarterback Denard Robinson along with running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, and the defense will be much improved next year.

Virginia Tech brings back quarterback Logan Thomas, who will certainly be much improved next season, as well as a defense that will bring back nearly every starter.

9. Florida State vs. West Virginia

West Virginia may be a bit of a stretch, and it is still uncertain what conference it will be in next season, but as the Mountaineers displayed in the Orange Bowl, they can score some points, and all their skill players are coming back.

Geno Smith will be one of the top five quarterbacks in the country next year, and Tavon Austin is one of the best playmakers in the country.

Florida State has a lot of talent coming back on both sides of the ball as well as one of the best recruiting classes in the country.

If the Seminoles can put it all together, they will likely find themselves in contention for a national championship.

8. Oregon vs. Alabama

Even with the departure of LaMichael James, Oregon returns a lot on offense, and it could find itself back in the title game next year.

Alabama will once again be the cream of the crop in the SEC and contend for a title.

The Crimson Tide will take on Michigan in Week 1 and have to travel to LSU next year. Couple that with the SEC schedule, and even with a loss they are likely to get a shot at the title.

Oregon will quite possibly have the best offense in the country next year, led by speedsters De'Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner.

This could be a national championship game potentially pitting the best offense against the best defense in the nation.

7. Oklahoma vs. Florida State

The Oklahoma Sooners certainly had a disappointing season in 2011, but there is more than enough talent returning in 2012 to make a run for a national championship.

Disappointing doesn't even begin to describe the year Florida State had in 2011.

Both of these teams will be looking to rebound and have the talent to do so.

Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones announced he will be coming back for his senior season along with receivers Kenny Stills and Jaz Reynolds.

Florida State will be led once again next season by quarterback E.J. Manuel. The defense has a chance to be one of the best in the nation with a slew of underclassmen coming back.

Both of these teams will likely be favored to win their respective conferences.

6. LSU vs. Alabama

Not again? Well, it could happen, folks.

Both of these teams will start the season in the Top Five, and next season they will play in Baton Rouge.

A close win by Alabama could lead to a potential rematch much like it did this year.

There are a lot of players coming back for both teams, and there is always more than enough talent coming in.

These will likely be the top two defenses in the country next season and quite possibly the top two teams in the nation.

5. Georgia vs. USC

The surprise return of Matt Barkley vaults USC from a possible Top 15 team to a definite Top Five team.

He will return along with receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee. USC will be explosive on offense, to say the least.

If Alabama or LSU does not win the SEC, it will likely be Georgia, and the winner of that league will certainly be playing for a national championship.

The Bulldogs return quarterback Aaron Murray, who is one of the best in the SEC.

Georgia will have some questions to answer on its offensive line, but the defense will be one of the best in the country.

4. Oklahoma vs. Oregon

If the Oregon Ducks can get over the hump and knock off USC this year, they will likely find themselves in the national championship game, and if the SEC does not have a representative, the next most likely choice is Oklahoma and its high-flying offense. 

This could be a carbon copy of this year's Rose Bowl and make for a much more entertaining national championship game than this year's version.

Both teams will have the opportunity to run the table and play for all the marbles next season.

3. USC vs. Alabama

These may be the best two teams in the country heading into next season, and what a BCS National Championship Game it would be.

The pro-style offense of USC up against a defense of Alabama that is full of future pros.

Matt Barkley on center stage against an Alabama team that has been there before.

This would clearly be an epic national championship game.

2. Oregon vs. LSU

This would be a battle of the Oregon offense against the LSU defense.

These teams played earlier this season, and Oregon was able to score over 20 points against the Tigers. Not many teams can say they did that.

This would be a battle of LSU trying to control the ball with its running game and keep the high-flying offense of Oregon off the field.

The Ducks have a chance to average 45 points a game next season, and it would be fun to see how many they can put up against the defense LSU has returning in 2012.

1. LSU vs. USC

Most preseason publications are likely to have these two teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country next season and the favorites to play for the BCS National Championship Game.

Matt Barkley and Tyrann Mathieu may be the top two players in the nation in 2012, and what better place to showcase their talents than in the national championship?

When the season begins in September, these are the two teams that many will peg as the most likely to play for all the marbles, and it would be quite a title game if it happened.