College Football 2011: The 10 Best National Championship Matchups for Week 3

Every week matters in college football when it comes to the drive for the championship. Every week a new contender tends to emerge and become the hot team. Every week I will take a look at who the top contenders are for the BCS title and which games would be interesting matchups.

Weeks 1 and 2 brought some interesting wins and losses, including the defeat of Oregon at the hands of LSU. No other top 10 team has registered a loss yet, but this week brings one major matchup between Oklahoma and Florida State.

Looking ahead with major projections, here are 10 games that would make great matchups for the national title in January.

Oklahoma vs. Alabama

This is the premier matchup that has been circled since the start of the season as the most likely title pick. Neither team has done anything to make that conversation change.

Oklahoma has a big contest this week as they face Florida State, but with a win the Sooners look to have a hard line to the championship game. Oklahoma has a dangerous pass defense that would be a big test for the Alabama secondary.

Alabama would look to control the clock and eliminate the Sooner edge, but the quick strike offense from Oklahoma may be too much to bear. Then again, those quick-strike big plays could go the opposite direction with the stingy defensive backs that are fielded by the Tide.

LSU vs. Boise State

LSU is the second SEC team in the hunt for the national title. Boise has been the non-qualifying favorite for some years now, and nothing has changed this season with the return of Kellen Moore and the dangerously-efficient Bronco offense.

LSU would look to use their talented defensive front to stop any run game the Broncos have and also put a ton of pressure on Moore. A well-managed offense for LSU is good enough to crank out hard yards and give their talented defense a breather.

LSU’s speedy and dominant defense would be a great matchup against the Boise State multiple and dangerously-efficient offense.

LSU vs. Oklahoma

This would be another traditional power matchup. SEC versus the BIG 12 and great defense would be the mark of the game.

The Tigers would look to use their rushing attack and powerful receivers to make plays in the offense and keep the ball out of the hands of the Sooners. Oklahoma would match up well with the Tigers, but this would be a very physical contest for Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s strength is their passing game offensively, but LSU has a lockdown defense against the pass. If Oklahoma could contain the LSU power offense and make big plays, they would earn the win. If LSU continues to see progression at the quarterback position, they may become unbeatable.

Oklahoma vs. Florida State

This is a matchup that won’t have to wait to January, but it deserves to be here now. This game is one that becomes reality this week as the Sooners and the Seminoles square off, and it will likely go a long way in determining who lands in the title game.

State hasn’t been relevant in the national college football landscape in quite some time. A win here would certainly change that.

Oklahoma is likely to be booming with confidence after the route that occurred a year ago at the hands of Landry Jones, and that confidence will be needed. Florida State must bring their “A” game on defense to stop the dangerous Oklahoma O.

Wisconsin vs. LSU

Russell Wilson has shown why his destination for his final year of football was so intensely followed. Wilson has been everything that anyone expected so far this year, and by season's end he may be a Heisman candidate.

LSU would rely on their speed on defense to contain the newly-found multiplicity on offense that Wisconsin has shown to have. If LSU could produce consistent rushing yards and stay away from turnovers, they would have a great chance at winning this game.

Wisconsin is a physical team, but overall LSU's speed coupled with physicality would give the Tigers the win. 

Stanford vs. Boise State

Both of these teams have major winners at the quarterback position. With Andrew Luck and Kellen Moore battling for a win in the title game, this would become an instant classic.

Both teams have strengths on offense in leadership and skill positions. Stanford and Boise both have open roads to the title as they have big games ahead but they all appear winnable.

Both teams are similar as they have replaced a number of defenders from the 2010 season but so far have looked good in the early portion of the season.

Oklahoma State vs. Alabama

If for nothing else, this game would be amazing to watch how Oklahoma State matched up against the Alabama defense. State is very dangerous through the air, and the secondary is the strength of Alabama’s defense.

Alabama would likely handle Oklahoma State if they played today, but if the Cowboys get the chance to develop their defense, their offense is good enough to play with anyone in the country.

This would be another interesting matchup between the Big 12 and the SEC. If this game were to occur the likely victor would be the Tide.

Texas A&M vs. Florida State

A&M won big in their first game of the season. They looked very powerful and smooth, showing that they are confident enough to make it to the big game this season. Finding the Aggies and the Seminoles in the BCS title would be a treat as it would return traditional programs to the spotlight.

Virginia Tech vs. Boise State

Last season Boise State began a two-game skid that not even Nostradamus could have predicted. The Hokies have been consistent winners in the past but have only made it to one national title game in recent years.

This would be a huge game for both teams on the national stage. A win for the Hokies would solidify the Hokies as a powerhouse in modern college football. A win for Boise would solidify all the banners that have been lifted for the Broncos recently in their hunt for the title.

Stanford vs. Oklahoma

Jones vs. Luck would be the best description of this game. Oklahoma and Stanford have great leaders at the quarterback position who would take this game over with their leadership and playmaking ability.

Stanford would like to make it to the title game, but playing Oklahoma would not be the contest that would be their most choice opponent. It would be most likely to see Andrew Luck play a great game that earned respect and admiration, but Oklahoma’s skill players and defense would likely win the day.