2010 College Football's Best Teams Ranked: Week 5

After five weeks of football, we are starting to see what the college football landscape looks like.

There is no question that Alabama is the best team in the country, but the argument starts with who is No. 2.

This list ranks the best teams in the country and their chances of playing in Glendale in the final and most important game of the season.

8. Auburn Tigers

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Auburn was not expected to do much this year, but they have gotten off to a good start.

The real challenge comes in the next three weeks when they face LSU and Arkansas. If Auburn is able to pull out those two wins, then they have only one more big test on their schedule...Alabama.

Actually, maybe Auburn shouldn't be on this list.

7. Boise State Broncos

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 and the Boise State Broncos celebrates a touchdown against the Oregon Stage Beavers at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Boise State finally crossed the threshold by starting the season ranked in the top five. The problem is that they have already played their toughest opponents—with the exception of Nevada.

The only way Boise has a legitimate shot at a title is if Alabama wins out and every other BCS conference champion loses at least one game.

I like Boise and think a playoff system would show just how tough they are. The BCS is seriously flawed, and unfortunately Boise State is the biggest loser in the current system.

Until powerhouses in the SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-10 schedule Boise State regularly, their only hope is that Congress steps in and does the right thing.

6. TCU Horned Frogs

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 24: Wide receiver Bart Johnson #6 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates a touchdown with Andy Dalton #14 in the third quarter against the SMU Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 24, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Mar

TCU is another of the non-BCS conference teams to break this list, and they are ranked higher only because they will play a possible Top 10 team when they meet Utah later in the season.

If both teams remain unbeaten and TCU is able to get a big win in that game, then TCU has a very outside chance at getting some votes.

In all likelihood, all the teams ahead of them need to lose. Not likely. Playoffs please, pretty please.

5. Oklahoma Sooners

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Jeremy Beal #44 and Jamarkus McFarland #97 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate a quarterback sack against the Texas Longhorns in the first quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty

Oklahoma has not looked like a contender in the national championship picture, but if they continue to win they will no doubt be in the picture at the end of the year.

If the Big 12 can have two teams remain unbeaten, then the Big 12 championship may actually become a de facto playoff game, with the winner receiving an invite to Glendale.

4. Nebraska Cornhuskers

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LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 25: Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Lavonte David #4, linebacker Eric Martin #46, safety Rickey Thenarse #3, defensive back DeJon Gomes #7 bring down South Dakota State Jackrabbits running back Kyle Minett #30 during first ha

Nebraska has played like a real contender so far this season, and it looks like they'll be a favorite in every game they play.

So, if they can win out and beat an undefeated Oklahoma team in the Big 12 championship game, then look for Nebraska to be one of the real contenders to play in the BCS championship.

3. Oregon Ducks

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Puddles the Oregon Duck mascot is carried on the shoulders of fans on the feild of Autzen Stadium after the Oregon Ducks beat the Stanford Cardinal 52-31 at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes

This is easy: If Oregon wins out, chances are they will be in Glendale for the BCS championship. Okay, maybe not so easy, as Oregon still has to make a run through the Pac-10.

They look like the best team for now, but that doesn't mean they won't have a slip-up somewhere down the line. They still have to play UCLA, USC, and Arizona, and don't forget about the "Civil War," where they'll play in a very hostile Corvallis.

If I'm a betting man, they win the Pac-10 but have a loss somewhere down the road and don't make the big game.

2. Ohio State University

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes leads teammates including Justin Boren #65, Dan Herron #1 and Mike Adams #75 off the field during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 i

Ohio State started off the season ranked high and has played up to expectations so far.

Wisconsin, Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan are still on the books for the Buckeyes, but they'll be favored in every game they play.

If they win out, they go to the big game, but that's a lot of pressure on Terrelle Pryor's shoulders. He's a great player, but is he a great leader capable of running the table? An invite to Arizona is on the line.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide leads his team onto the field to face the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama is clearly the best team in the country, and there is no doubt that if they win them all, they are in.

The problem is that they play in the tough SEC, and South Carolina, Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn are still ahead. My bet is that they win them all, but this is no sure thing.

The bigger question that remains is...can Alabama get to the big game if they lose one? They may be the only team on this list with that luxury.