Predicting College Football's National Championship: Who Will Play in the BCS?

With the college football season winding down, there are seven undefeated teams left and a one loss team that is still in the mix. We all know where things stand now, but the real question is, who will be given the invite to play in Glendale in January?

As it lies now, Oregon is at the top of the rankings with Boise State and Auburn right behind them. They all have a chance to make it, and here is how I predict it will end up. 

8. Utah Utes

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: David Reed #16 of the Utah Utes celebrates with Jereme Brooks #85 after making a touchdown pass reception in the second quarter of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort

The Utes are definitely on the outside looking in, and to be honest, I think Ohio State and Oklahoma have a better chance of making it to the title game than they do, but as they are undefeated, they get to be on this list. The only marquee matchup the Utes have is against TCU, and if they win that game, they will slide up the polls and maybe sneak into the top five and have an outside chance at a BCS bowl game.

The real chance of them making it to the National Championship game lies in the hands of God, and unless God strikes all the other teams down, the Utes really have no chance at all. 

7. Michigan State

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans returned to the sidelines for a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27.

Michigan State has played some good football all year long and were able to sneak out a come from behind win against Northwestern on Saturday. Next week may be their biggest test so far when they go to play in Iowa. Iowa may be the favorite to win the game and the Big Ten, and Michigan State will need to play their best game of the year to stop the Hawkeyes. If they do, they are still on the outside of this discussion.

The problem is that they don't really have another showcase game after that. Either way, State should be proud of their season.

6.TCU Horned Frogs

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs passes the ball against the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

TCU is a great football team and would definitely benefit from a playoff system. They have a great defense and a quarterback that can manage a game and help lead the team to victory. The problem is that they cannot slip ahead of the Broncos in the polls or the computer rankings.

Their only chance is to have the big names lose (Auburn, Alabama, and Oregon) and to put a whooping on Utah when they meet later in the year. Then, maybe and very unlikely, we can have a rematch of that BCS game from last year, but this time, it'd be for all the marbles. Wouldn't that be fun?

Too bad it's not going to happen. 

5. Missouri Tigers

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COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 23: Missouri Tigers fans swarm the field after upsetting the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Ima

The Missouri Tigers had one of their school's biggest wins on Saturday in primetime against the number one team in the country according to the computers.That win showed the nation that they are a legit contender, but their work is far from over.

This week, they face the Cornhuskers in Nebraska. If they get the win, then we can start talking about a National Championship. But don't forget, they still have K-State and a Big 12 Championship to get through. If they remain unbeaten through it all, they will be right in the middle of the discussion, but let's wait on that talk for now. 

4. Oregon Ducks

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 21: The Oregon Duck mascot is lifted into the crowd during the game against the UCLA Bruins on October 21, 2010 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Oregon definitely looks like the best team in the country so far, so why are they hanging around at No. 4 on my list? Well, because they have their two biggest games ahead of them, and I have a feeling that they might not be able to win them all.

This week, they head to the Coliseum for what is essentially USC's bowl game. The Trojan offense has been playing lights out this year and may be able to keep up with the Ducks. If the Ducks escape, then don't forget about their trip to Corvalis. I guarantee that the Beavers will be ready, willing and waiting for the Ducks. The Ducks are a great team, but I just don't see them winning them all. 

3. Auburn Tigers

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers rushes upfield against the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Through this week, they are clearly one of the top two teams in the country and have the most outstanding player on their team. They got through the heart of their schedule and still remain unbeaten.

So why are they hanging in at No. 3 on this list? Well, because they still have to go play at Alabama, for what is essentially a playoff game with the winner going to the National Championship. If the game was at Auburn, or even a neutral site, I might go with the Tigers, but it's not, so Alabama gets the nod. If they do get by Alabama and the SEC East Champion, then they will rightfully be playing in Glendale in January. 

2. Boise State Broncos

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks for a receiver against the Oregon State Beaversat Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

All of the cards are falling in the right way for the Broncos. They still need some help, but that dream is not so far fetched anymore. It is still likely that one SEC team will be playing in the title game, but unless Oregon and Mizzou win out, all they need to do is stay ahead of TCU in the polls.

I think that most voters will default to last years BCS game when they handed TCU their only loss and give the nod to the boys in blue. Here's hoping that one of the best teams in the country gets a chance to prove it is for real. 

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Marquis Maze #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Alabama is the only one loss team on this list, so why are they so high? Basically, they control their own destiny. If 'Bama wins out, there is no way they don't go to the National Championship game. If Auburn remains unbeaten, and the Tide is able to take them out, then their strength of schedule and rankings in the polls will catapult them to at least number two in the country.

So, the only one loss team is also the team I think has the best chance of playing for that crystal football in Glendale early next year.