College Football Rankings: Who Will Play for the National Championship?

The top team in the country has fallen the past two weeks. Oregon will land at number one in the polls after a bye and hope to end the streak. Boise State will be number one in the BCS when the first computer rankings come out on Monday, but they are not in control of their own destiny. So who has the best chance at playing in the National Championship, the answer lies ahead. 

8. Michigan State

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Trenton Robinson #39 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first quarter interception off a pass from Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mic

This is a longshot, and not just because they came into the season unranked, but also because this may be the only team that can't leapfrog an undefeated Boise State and TCU. Michigan State is playing great football, and besides Iowa, they don't face another ranked foe. If they can get past Iowa, and remain undefeated, these boys in green will be praying for all the help they can get. Honestly, I doubt it'll happen, but at least they are gaining some credibility. 

7. LSU Tigers

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 16: Members of the Louisiana State University Tigers warm up before playing the McNeese State Cowboys at Tiger Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

LSU hasn't convinced me that they are real contenders, but they still have a zero at the end of their record. If they can keep on winning, then they'll definitely change my mind and earn a spot in the biggest game of the year. But, with Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas still looming ahead, I see a few losses falling out of the hat of the maddest coach in the country. 

6. Boise State

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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)

Another week, another great showing. Boise State will enter the BCS Rankings as the number one team in the country according to the computers, but if they want a real shot at a championship, they need every team ahead of them on this list to lose. Chances are slim of them getting there, but they deserve every opportunity they get. Congrats Boise, as of today, you are the number one team in the country. 

5. Oklahoma Sooners

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Running back Demarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs past D.J. Grant #18 of the Texas Longhorns in the third quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Oklahoma is looking more and more like a contender. Lucky for them there are no top ten teams on their schedule. Lucky for them they play two ranked teams and a conference championship, all adding to their strength of schedule and moving them up the BCS ladder. If they win out, they have a great chance of playing in Glendale. Problem is, Boise State and TCU are probably better than them. 

4. TCU Horned Frogs

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 16: Starting quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs after TCU beat the BYU Cougars 31-3 at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The Horned Frogs are the best team in Texas, and one of the best teams in the country. They are rolling this year, and look like an elite team. They have Utah ahead on their schedule, and if they can dominate in that game, there is a slight chance they might jump over a few teams in the polls. If that happens, look for TCU to be the first non-BCS team ever to play for the title. 

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Earl Alexander #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide fails to pull in this reception against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Despite their loss last week, if Alabama wins out, they will probably be playing for the National Championship. This is so unfair on so many levels, but its the way the college system works. Alabama is obviously a great team, and can match up against anybody. But,the great thing about college football is that every game matters. In my mind, they already lost and should be out of the discussion, but I don't have a vote, so 'Bama is still alive. 

2. Auburn Tigers

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AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Linebacker Daren Bates #25, wide receiver Darvin Adams #89 and running back Onterio McCalebb #23 of the Auburn Tigers celebrate with the crowd after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010

Auburn has surprised everybody, and week in and week out they continue to rise and look like one of the best teams in the country. They'll have to beat an undefeated LSU at home this week, and then hold strong against Georgia before facing their biggest test in the final game of the season. An undefeated Auburn against a one loss Alabama, now that is a game I can't wait to see. 

1. Oregon Ducks

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Besides LSU, Oregon may have the toughest road ahead of them. Every year there is a big upset in the Pac 10, and the Ducks have to play extremely well if they hope to remain unbeaten. If they do, they go to the National Championship. If they don't, then add them as another casualty of the super tough Pac 10. Oregon is good, but I just don't see them winning them all. Maybe they can prove me wrong. As for now, they are in charge of their own destiny.