BCS Championship Preview: Bama, Wisky, LSU, Boise and Oklahoma Top the List

With eight weeks left in the regular season, is it too early to talk about BCS national championship scenarios?  

Technically, about a dozen teams still have a shot at making the title game. Realistically, there are six. The field will continue to dwindle over the coming weeks, but there are three games that would be the most intriguing to watch.

Alabama vs. Wisconsin 

What a spectacular game this would be. The Badgers playing for their first national title and Nick Saban seeking his third. The debates about whether the weak Big Ten champion can finally knock off the mighty SEC champion would be priceless. The hype would be incredible. 

On the field, both teams are remarkably similar. They have explosive rushing attacks, nasty defenses and rock solid special teams. On top of that, they rarely turn the ball over or incur costly penalties.

Right now, neither team has a noticeable weakness to exploit. 

Third-down execution would be the stat to watch, especially for Wisconsin. The Badgers have the offensive firepower to take down the Tide, but getting into manageable third-down situations would be the key to pull off the upset. Alabama just needs to do what it does best: stop the other team from scoring. 

Projected winner:  Wisconsin 24-21

LSU vs. Oklahoma

Few programs have sustained success in the BCS era like Oklahoma and LSU. The Sooners would be playing in their fifth BCS Championship game, and the Tigers hunting for their third title. This is also a rematch of the 2003 National Championship, so payback would be on the line for the Sooners. 

This is a game for those who like to debate whether offense or defense wins championships. Normally, defense takes the crown, but that could change if Oklahoma makes the game. The Sooners own one the best passing attacks in the FBS. Quarterback Landry Jones spreads the field and uses a deep arsenal of receivers and backs to inflict devastating blows. 

Conversely, LSU is led by its defense. It thrives on imposing its will on opponents by using strength and power to stop the run, pressure to relentlessly harass quarterbacks and speed to force turnovers. Only a team with tremendous patience stands a chance at being effective against the Tigers’ wicked defense. 

No one can blame the Sooner faithful for being haunted by their three previous trips to the BCS championship.  After suffering through embarrassing losses, the fans would be praying for Bob Stoops to get his Big Game mojo back and finally win his second national. 

Tiger fans want nothing more than to earn another title in their backyard. They love Les Miles down in the Bayou, but no honest fan could ever say they were entirely comfortable when the Mad Hatter is at the helm. They need not worry. Miles is adept at proving his critics wrong.

Projected winner:  LSU 31-21.

LSU vs. Boise State

Samuel himself couldn’t have dreamed of a more intriguing clash for the crystal ball. Boise State head coach Chris Petersen relishes the underdog position, and he would be delighted that no one outside of Idaho would be giving the Broncos a serious chance to win. 

Petersen knows how to win big games. He’s knocked off Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia Tech and Georgia over the last five years. Beating LSU in New Orleans would not only finally prove that the Broncos are an elite level team, it would send a dagger into the heart of the severely flawed BCS system. 

On the field, this potential matchup would pit an electrifying offense against an unyielding defense.

No quarterback is better at dissecting defenses than Kellen Moore, and his ability to use every weapon would test LSU’s ability to cover the entire field. Moore has proven he is cool under pressure, and watching him go against the mighty Tiger defense would be a delight. 

LSU just needs to take the game seriously. The Broncos are legitimate, but the talent on their roster pales in comparison to the Tigers’ roster. They can’t just show up and expect to win. 

Projected winner:  Boise State 28-24