BCS Rankings: Which Teams Will Ride Finish to High Preseason Rankings?

The BCS has yet to update their rankings with the bowl games factored in, but what we do know is that Alabama is moving up and LSU is moving down.

We also know that Oklahoma State is likely going to stay put, while Stanford drops.

Oregon, Arkansas and Michigan could all find their way in and around the top five, and other teams like South Carolina, Baylor and Michigan State should all see a boost.

The real question, considering this season is now over, is which of these teams will ride this momentum to a high 2012 preseason ranking?

Alabama

More than just their title win, the Crimson Tide saw a different quarterback under center than what they saw for most the year.

A.J. McCarron, only a sophomore, can be more than just an effective game manager. While he didn't put up points himself, his offensive MVP performance in the championship game ended any chance of their being another quarterback competition with highly-touted backup Phillip Sims.

The Tide will lose a number of talented defensive players and likely Heisman finalist Trent Richardson, but they also have the potential No. 1 recruiting class in the country.

USC (not in BCS)

One team we cannot forget—and we probably have since they didn't play in a bowl game—is the USC Trojans.

They return the best QB in the nation, and they have what will be the best receiving duo in the nation next year as well.

Their defense is solid, and they'll only add more talent in their recruiting class again this year.

Don't be surprised if they're ranking in the top 3 preseason.

LSU

Although they lost handily in the title game, LSU is unlikely to fall past two or three.

The Tigers will return a number of talented players again next year and have one of the top recruiting classes. 

The biggest question will be which QB lines up under center.

Oregon

The loss of LaMichael James is eased by the absolutely scintillating talent of De'Anthony Thomas as well as the return of QB Darron Thomas, RB Kenjon Barner and receiver Josh Huff.

The Ducks will land a few more athletes in their recruiting class, and their offense will miss a small beat at worst without James.

Expect them to be high up in the rankings and on a collision course with the Trojans in the Pac-12 title game.

Michigan

Brady Hoke's first season was a smashing success and now the Wolverines are set for a lofty preseason ranking.

Their defense is one of the best in the nation, and their win over Virginia Tech in a BCS bowl is going to help them a lot.

They also get another year out of Denard Robinson and it will be interesting to see what Hoke cooks up for him this time around.

Here are the latest BCS rankings—a Top 25 that will surely change in the wake of the last BCS bowl games, as the AP has already reshuffled its poll to show the Tide on top:

1	LSU
2	Alabama
3	Oklahoma State
4	Stanford
5	Oregon
6	Arkansas
7	Boise State
8	Kansas State
9	South Carolina
10	Wisconsin
11	Virginia Tech
12	Baylor
13	Michigan
14	Oklahoma
15	Clemson
16	Georgia
17	Michigan State
18	TCU
19	Houston
20	Nebraska
21	Southern Miss
22	Penn State
23	West Virginia
24	Texas
25	Auburn