Breaking Down the Best BCS Championship Games at Week 10

With nine weeks of the college football season in the books, it’s becoming more and more clear who the top contenders are for the BCS title.

Can Alabama stay immune to the upset bug that has already plagued many of the other top teams in the nation? Will Florida State be able to edge out Oregon if they both remain undefeated? What about Ohio State?

All of these questions, and more, are on the minds of college football fans everywhere.

But for now, we’re just left to fantasize about what matchups would be the best. Here are five national title showdowns we would love to see.

The Long-Shot Rematch: Miami vs. Ohio State

Hyde (right) has powered a Buckeyes run game that has been better than originally expected.

Head-to-Head: 3-2 Ohio State (Last meeting Sept. 17, 2011, 24-6 Miami)

The Skinny

Under the bright lights in Tempe, Ariz., the Buckeyes and Hurricanes battled for all the marbles during the 2002 BCS title game. In the end, Ohio State escaped with a 31-24 victory in overtime, capturing its first national championship in 34 years and snapping Miami’s 34-game winning streak.

Ironically, if these two met in January, the Hurricanes would have a chance to return the favor—the Buckeyes are riding the nation’s longest-active winning streak at 20 games.

For Ohio State, the team has remained unscathed, largely due, in part, to a surprisingly good rushing attack.

Entering this weekend, the team ranks No. 9, averaging 295.6 yards per game. Running backs Carlos Hyde (88 CAR, 590 YDs, 7 TDs) and Jordan Hall (79 CAR, 519 YDs, 8 TDs) along with quarterback Braxton Miller (86 CAR, 403 YDs, 2 TDs) have kept opposing defenses on their heels.

They’ve also helped the Buckeyes average a whopping 47.3 points per game.

On the other hand, Miami has relied heavily on its defense.

Through seven games, the unit ranks No. 11 in scoring (17.7 PPG), No. 17 in total defense (342.3 YPG), No. 17 against the pass (200.6 YPG) and No. 39 against the rush (141.7 YPG). Furthermore, the Hurricanes rank No. 13 in turnovers gained with 19.

Both teams have struggled, having close games against opponents they should have beaten easily. However, both have just one more obstacle to hurdle to sneak into the BCS title game.

Although it has been over 11 years since these two threw down for the BCS title, don’t think either team has forgotten.

The Offensive Showcase: Baylor vs. Oregon

Who's going to slow down the Bears' offense?

Head-to-Head: N/A

The Skinny

Several backup scoreboards would need to be on hand if these two met up in the BCS title game.

On one hand, you have the Bears. The team ranks No. 1 in scoring (63.9 PPG), No. 1 in total offense (717.3 YPG), No. 7 in rushing (300.0 YPG) and No. 2 in passing (417.3 YPG). Baylor has scored 59 or more points in six of its seven games—that includes topping 70 four times.

With quarterback Bryce Petty (69.3 CMP%, 2,453 YDs, 18 TDs, 1 INTs, 219.0 RAT) and running back Lache Seastrunk (96 CAR, 869 YDs, 11 TDs) on the sidelines, it’s hard to slow these guys down.

On the other hand, there are the Ducks. The team ranks No. 2 in scoring (55.6 PPG), No. 2 in total offense (632.1 YPG), No. 2 in rushing (331.5 YPG) and No. 20 in passing (300.6 YPG). Oregon has scored 42 points or more in each of its eight games this year—that includes 55 or more in six.

Led by Heisman-favorite quarterback Marcus Mariota (2,792 TOT YDs, 29 TDs, 0 INT, 178.5 RAT), the Ducks are favored to win just about any game.

With both teams posing the ability to score at any given moment, it could really come down to who has the ball last.

The Heisman Showdown: Florida State vs. Oregon

Can Winston take the Seminoles all the way?

Head-to-Head: N/A

The Skinny

Both the Seminoles and Ducks are led by top passers in the nation.

So, it comes as no surprise that Jameis Winston (Florida State) and Marcus Mariota (Oregon) are considered Heisman-favorites. In fact, the duo places Nos. 1 and 2 in ESPN’s Heisman Watch poll.

Through seven games, Winston has piloted the Seminoles to an undefeated record, while putting up impressive numbers. He’s thrown for 2,177 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions on 69.9 percent passing. Furthermore, Winston has recorded a quarterback rating of 207.0—No. 2 in the nation.

He’s shown great poise and confidence in the pocket when faced with tough obstacles in his way. More specifically, Winston shined in a road showdown against then-No.3 Clemson, throwing for a career-high 444 yards and accounting for four touchdowns to lead Florida State to a 51-14 victory.

Did we mention that he’s just a redshirt freshman?

For the Ducks, Mariota has been just as impressive. He’s thrown for 2,281 yards, 20 touchdowns and zero interceptions on 64 percent passing, while adding another 511 yards and nine scores on the ground.

Mariota has been phenomenal in some of Oregon’s big wins—45-24 at Washington and 42-14 versus UCLA—while leading the nation with a 95.5 adjusted quarterback rating.

Although Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel might threaten to crash the party, it looks more than likely that Winston and Mariota will finish as the top two.

Who wouldn’t like to see these two go head-to-head for a more important prize?

The Inevitable Collision: Oregon vs. Alabama

Mariota will try to prove the Ducks offense can score on anyone.

Head-to-Head: N/A

The Skinny

We all know it's coming. And if both the Ducks and Crimson Tide win out, nothing can get in the way of the inevitable.

College football fans will finally get the matchup they’ve been waiting for.

BCS No. 1 vs. BCS No. 2. One of the country’s best offenses against one of its best defenses.

The matchup has all the storylines for another classic.

Through eight games, Oregon has been tossing aside every opponent that has gotten in its way. In fact, Washington got the closest to beating the Ducks, and even then, the team lost by 21.

At the same time, Alabama has been doing pretty much the same thing. If it isn’t the team’s stifling defense—allowed just 26 points in the last six games—it's been by way of one of the best offensive units of Nick Saban’s tenure. The Tide have scored 45 or more points in four straight games.

But more importantly, this will answer the question whether defense wins championships.

Thus far, Alabama ranks No. 1 in scoring defense (9.8 PPG) and No. 5 in total defense (280.9 YPG). Only Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M offense have scored more than 10 points against them.

Sure, Oregon has won of the best offenses in the nation, averaging 55.6 points per game and 632.1 yards per game. However, is it enough to throttle the Tide’s stifling D?

There’s only one way to find out.

The Heavyweight Bout: Florida State vs. Alabama

Can anybody slow down the Tide?

Head-to-Head: 2-1-1 Alabama (Last meeting Sept. 29, 2007, 21-14 Florida State)

The Skinny

This would be a showdown between two teams that are more alike than people know.

On offense, both the Seminoles and Tide have the firepower to put up points when they want. But at the same time, both defenses are stout enough to slow down any opposing offense.

For Florida State, a vicious passing attack led by Jameis Winston (69.9 CMP%, 2,177 YDs, 23 TDs, 4 INTs, 207.0 RAT) has been the focal point. Behind it, the team has put up 41 points or more in each of its seven contests—that includes topping 50 on four occasions.

On the other hand, Alabama relies on a two-pronged rushing attack. Sophomore running backs T.J. Yeldon (115 CAR, 729 YDs, 10 TDs) and Kenyan Drake (63 CAR, 491 YDs, 7 TDs) have been unstoppable. Behind their strong play, the Tide have put up 200 yards or more on the ground in three straight games and four of the last five.

Defensively, it’s the same story.

Entering this weekend, the Seminoles rank No. 4 in scoring defense (13.0 PPG), No. 8 in total defense (289.4 YPG), No. 29 against the run (135.7 YPG) and No. 1 against the pass (153.7 YPG). The unit’s best performance was shutting down then-No. 3 Clemson 51-14 on Oct. 19.

For the Tide, the defensive unit ranks No. 1 in scoring defense (9.8 PPG), No. 5 in total defense (280.9 YPG), No. 11 against the run (101.9 YPG) and No. 8 against the pass (179.0 YPG). The team has held five opponents under 10 points, while shutting out two of them.

Needless to say, this is the kind of showdown that would serve as the best send-off for the BCS.

All stats and rankings used in this article are courtesy of NCAA.com

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