BCS Rankings 2010: Power Ranking the Best Potential BCS Championship Games
With the initial BCS Rankings set to be released in only a few days, it is time to look ahead to the potential match-ups and dream about the National Championship game.
Every fan has their favorite team, but for those fans whose team will not be playing for a championship, it is nice to see two evenly-matched teams battle it out for national supremacy.
Whether it be contrasting styles or just the two best teams hooking up, there are certainly some National Championship matchups that have college football pundits salivating.
Here is a list of the top potential BCS National Championship games.
No. 10: Utah vs. Alabama
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While this is an extreme longshot, it has the potential to be a rematch of the Sugar Bowl a few years ago, where the Utah Utes shocked the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Both teams are in the mix for the National Championship, but would need an immense amount of help, especially in the case of Utah.
The Utes are led by quarterback Jordan Wynn and are battle-tested, having already taken down Pittsburgh at home and Iowa State on the road.
With a three-game stretch against Air Force, TCU and Notre Dame, Utah has a chance to jump in the rankings and make a splash in the National Championship picture.
Could we have deja vu for the Crimson Tide?
No. 9: TCU vs. Oregon
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With favorable schedules, both TCU and Oregon have the distinct possibility of running the table and playing for a National Championship.
The Horned Frogs were close last season, and this year look to be in even better shape.
Oregon controls their own destiny and, if they win out, will play for the National Championship.
The Ducks and Horned Frogs are the two teams everyone wants to see duke it out. Both can put points on the board, and the big-play capabilities of both squads would make for quite a compelling National Championship game.
No. 8: Nebraska vs. Ohio State
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In a Big Ten preview for next season, Nebraska and Ohio State would pit two of college football's storied programs in college football's biggest game.
Both of these powers boast top-10 offenses and defenses nationally.
Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez has been much better than expected, and the Nebraska offense is ninth in the country at just under 42 points a game. The defense is fourth in all of the land, allowing just under 13 points a game.
Ohio State and quarterback Terrelle Pryor are sixth in the country at just over 43 points a game. The Buckeye defense is also sixth in the country, allowing 13.5 points per game.
This National Championship could be a preview of future highly-contested Big Ten battles.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 7: Michigan St. vs. Alabama
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After all the Michigan State Spartans have been through already this season, playing for a National Championship would be a fitting ending.
And what better opponent for the Spartans than former head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Michigan State appears ready to run the table if they can knock off Iowa on the road in two weeks.
The Spartans have a very favorable schedule, and who wouldn't want to see them against their former head coach and the most talented team in the country.
That would make for excellent television.
No. 6: Oklahoma vs. Boise State
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Oklahoma fans would be salivating over this one.
Four years later, with a chance to avenge the Fiesta Bowl defeat on an even bigger stage would be a dream come true for Sooner fans.
While they may not say that loss hurt, I am sure it is in the back of their minds every time they see Boise State knock off another top team.
While the Sooners have a tough road to hoe to get to that game, it is always possible. The talent of these two teams, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, would be a game worth watching.
Would Oklahoma be able to defend against the trick plays, or would Boise State pull off the shocker once again?
No. 5: Oregon vs. Nebraska
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The Oregon Duck offense vs. the Nebraska Cornhusker defense has the potential to be an intriguing BCS National Championship game.
The Cornhusker defense is not as talented as they were a season ago, but they are still fourth in the nation, allowing under 13 points per game.
That number would be severely tested against the Duck offense, which is the best in the nation at over 54 points a game.
Quarterback Taylor Martinez and the Nebraska offense is no slouch, either, as they are in the top 10 in the country in points.
This would have the potential of being a high-flying shootout, where the team with the ball last comes out on top.
No. 4: Alabama vs. Boise State
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Heading into the season, many people had these two teams pegged to play in the National Championship.
Alabama fans would salivate over this matchup. A chance to put the small Boise State Broncos in their place.
The Broncos, as they always do, would come out flying high and ready to shock the college football world.
Could the Broncos withstand the punishing rushing attack of the Crimson Tide? Could the Alabama secondary handle the passing game of Boise State?
Only time will tell if this matchup ever plays out.
No. 3: Ohio State vs. Oregon
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In what is the most likely scenario of them all, Ohio State and Oregon meet in a rematch of last year's Rose Bowl.
With the teams virtually the same from that game, and these two squads off to fast starts, this matchup appears to be only a few months away.
These are the top-two teams in the country, according to the Coaches and Associated Press Polls, and with two of the best offenses in the nation, this would be an epic showdown.
Oregon can put points on the board in a hurry, but the Buckeye defense shut them down completely last season. With another year experience under their belt, the Ohio State offense would certainly put some pressure on the Oregon defense.
While this game is the most likely of the bunch, it may also be the most exciting of them all.
No. 2: Boise State vs. TCU
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While many people would hate to see a matchup of the non-BCS contenders, I think this is a potential game that could change the college football landscape.
With Boise State the likely BCS No. 1 come Sunday, and TCU also near the top, this game is more of a possibility than most people think.
A loss to a few contenders like Oregon, Ohio State and Nebraska, and these two teams have a shot to play for a BCS National Championship.
Just the chance of this game happening has many fans from power conferences worried about the state of college football.
If this is what it would take to finally have a playoff in college football, then I am all for it.
No. 1: Alabama vs. Ohio State
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Entering the season, most college football experts pegged these two teams as the best in the country, and the front runners to play in the BCS National Championship game.
With the season nearly halfway over, all that has changed as the Crimson Tide have a lot of work to do to get back into contention.
Arguably the two most talented teams in the nation, this would be a game of monumental proportions.
With the potential of neither team cracking the top four in the initial BCS rankings, this may seem like a long shot. But if both of these teams win out, there is a strong possibility they will meet for all the marbles.
And what a game that would shape up to be.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
