BCS Championship Chaos: Seven-Team Breakdown

And so the BCS Doomsday Scenario has become reality. 

While pundits around the nation debate the merits of a playoff system, we'll attempt to sort through the mess and provide a factual analysis of the situation as it is.

It's now old news that Missouri and West Virginia have fallen. Mizzou's loss to Oklahoma wasn't unexpected, but the Mountaineers loss to Pitt was a shocker.

As we've seen time and again this season, it's no mean feat to hold on to a No. 1 or No. 2 ranking. 

The turmoil at the top throws open the BCS title race to at least seven teams. Here's a look at how they stack up...

Ohio State, 11-1 

Ranked teams played: 4.  Average margin of defeat: 7. 

Currently third in the BCS standings, the Buckeyes appear to have the new No. 1 spot wrapped up.  

Although Jim Tressel and Co. suffered a late-season loss to Illinois, they redeemed themselves by defeating Michigan the next week. 

Georgia, 10-2

Ranked teams played: 4.  Average margin of defeat: 12.5. 

The Bulldogs are currently ranked fourth in the BCS. It's hard to make an argument for them to go to the BCS Championship Game when they didn't even play for the SEC title—and don't forget they lost big to Tennessee.

Kansas, 11-1

Ranked teams played: 2.  Average margin of defeat: 8. 

Kansas has only beaten two teams with winning records, and has only played two ranked squads. 

The Jayhawks' paltry strength of schedule will likely drop them from contention.

Virginia Tech, 11-2

Ranked teams played: 5. Average margin of defeat: 22.5 

Virginia Tech finished the year strong, and has a solid strength of schedule—but don't forget that the Hokies lost to LSU by 41 points early in the year. 

LSU, 11-2

Ranked teams played: 7.  Average margin of defeat: 4. 

LSU faced arguably the strongest schedule in the nation. The Tigers' two losses both came in triple overtime to teams with winning records.

In their most recent loss, to Arkansas, quarterback Matt Flynn and defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey played hurt. 

What's more, LSU beat Tennessee on Saturday with Dorsey out most of the game and backup QB Ryan Perrilloux playing with a busted finger. 

Anyway you cut it, the Tigers have has a strong case for a No. 2 BCS ranking.

USC, 10-2

Ranked teams played: 4.  Average margin of defeat: 4. 

USC's loss to Stanford is probably going to keep the Trojans out of the title game.  Their schedule strength is decent—but not enough overcome the embarrassing defeat.

Oklahoma, 11-2

Ranked teams played: 3.  Average margin of defeat: 5. 

Oklahoma had an impressive win last night—but their schedule still doesn't measure up. 

The Sooners have only played three ranked teams. Both of their losses came against unranked opponents—only one of whom had a winning record. 

Should a Big 12 title boost OU's ranking? 

Yes. 

To the No. 2 spot? 

No sir.

Based on the above analysis, I can only see one logical pairing in the BCS Championship Game:

Ohio State vs. LSU