Notre Dame Football: Power Ranking Irish's Toughest Potential BCS Matchups

Although Notre Dame has had enough scares throughout the season to earn each Irish fan a few gray hairs, we are to the point where we can start thinking about BCS bowls for this historic program.

Unless the entire team turns into a gigantic Alex Rodriguez and folds down the stretch, this is a team that is reaching a BCS bowl for the first time since 2006.

The question now is which bowl is it going to be, and which team are the leprechauns going to play?

Those questions will be answered during the next few weeks as teams finish up the remaining schedule. At this point, Notre Dame could appear in any BCS bowl game from the Orange all the way up to the national championship game, which is the ultimate prize for Irish fans.

While everybody is wondering where the rest of the season will take Notre Dame, here are some of the toughest teams it could face in any BCS bowl.

5. Florida State

Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place In: BCS Orange Bowl

How Bowl Matchup Could Happen: Florida State finally gets the job done and wins the ACC, while Notre Dame gets selected as an at-large bid.

Why This Would Be Tough for the Irish: These two teams played in last year’s Florida Citrus Bowl, and Notre Dame couldn't move the ball on offense.

This year, Florida State's defense is even better than a year ago, as it is currently ranked first in the country.

This matchup would likely be a defensive knockout fight with the first team to score 10 points winning the game.

4. Florida

Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place In: BCS Sugar Bowl

How Bowl Matchup Could Happen: With Alabama likely earning a spot in the national championship, Florida is selected as the SEC replacement.

Notre Dame could be taken as an at-large bid, setting up the second meeting ever between these two programs.

Why This Would Be Tough for the Irish: Like most SEC teams, Florida is physical on both sides of the ball and tries to wear teams down over time. The defense is ranked fifth in the country, while the massive offensive line provides gaping holes for the 35th-best running game in the nation.

The Irish defense would also have another test against a dual-threat quarterback in Jeff Driskel, who is more of a threat with his legs than his arm.

3. Oregon

Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place In: BCS National Championship

How Bowl Matchup Could Happen: Kansas State and Alabama end up losing a game, while Notre Dame and Oregon finish as the top two teams in the country.

This would be the third meeting between these two schools.

Why This Would Be Tough for the Irish: If there was ever an offense that would test this Irish defense, it would certainly be the Oregon Ducks.

Chip Kelly would spread this unit out and not give Notre Dame any time to catch its breath—something this defense hasn’t seen this year.

Oregon is averaging 54 points per game and has shown no signs of letting up throughout the year. If the Ducks scoring begins to click, there is simply no way Notre Dame would be able to keep up.

2. Kansas State

Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place In: BCS Fiesta Bowl

How Bowl Matchup Could Happen: Kansas State ends up becoming the Big 12 champion and Notre Dame gets selected as an at-large bid.

This is the most likely scenario when looking at the rankings and the remaining schedules of the top teams.

Why This Would Be Tough for the Irish: Kansas State has the recipe down to a science on how to win football games.

It doesn't beat itself by limiting turnovers and penalties, it plays great defense and the Wildcats run the ball very effectively. If that weren't good enough, the team has a quarterback named Collin Klein, who happens to be the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

Playing a disciplined team like this, that does everything right, is frustrating and can be tough to beat. 

1. Alabama

Bowl This Matchup Could Take Place In: BCS National Championship

How Bowl Matchup Could Happen: Oregon and Kansas State lose, leaving Notre Dame and Alabama as the possible top two teams in the country.

This would be the first matchup between these two programs since 1987.

Why This Would Be Tough for the Irish: Take all the reasons from the other four schools and combine them into one team.

Alabama is disciplined, plays fabulous defense, is physical on both sides of the ball and has arguably the most balanced offense in the SEC. There is also the Nick Saban factor. This is a coach you don't want to face when he is given more than a week to prepare.

Whichever team plays the Crimson Tide will have its work cut out for them, and that includes Notre Dame.