BCS Rankings: 5 Locks for the Top Poll Spot

With the release of the BCS poll right around the corner, there will be a ton of speculation swirling as to who will get the top spot. There are numerous teams battling for that top spot and with the talent that is found in the top five, it is difficult to find separators.

Two of the obvious contenders come from the SEC, while the rest of the field of candidates is spread out across the country.

At the end of the day, one of these five teams is likely to fill the top spot a week from now in the BCS.

The landscape changes so fluidly, however, that one hiccup can change the college football world.

How these teams fare today and next Saturday will be a big determiner if they can hold onto their national elite status.

LSU Tigers

LSU has played some of the most dominant defense in the country this season. They look unstoppable time and again as they battle opposing offenses with matched speed and extreme tenacity.

The Tigers have been so dominant that little offense has been needed.

Even so, the Tigers have been efficient on offense, as Jarrett Lee has looked extremely effective and has maintained ball control extremely well.

With the return of Jordan Jefferson to the lineup, the LSU has an added dimension to the offense.

Look for the Tigers to continue on the undefeated path and become the most likely No. 1 team in the initial BCS rankings.

All the Tigers need to do is win and they should be in the driver’s seat.  They're taking care of business at home against Florida today thus far.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is essentially a shared No. 1 at this point with LSU. The world of college football knows these are the best two teams playing right now and that Alabama is likely to be one of the top two teams in the initial BCS rankings.

Alabama has been able to cover up the youth it has at quarterback with a phenomenal one-two punch out of the backfield with Eddie Lacy and Trent Richardson.

Both backs have been vitally important to the success that the Tide have had this season.

The other side of the ball has been even more impressive for the Crimson Tide.

The Alabama defense may be one of the best units to come out of Tuscaloosa since 1992. That defense helped guide the Tide to a national title.

Look for the Tide to be a close second in the first BCS standings next week, but they won’t be far behind.

They'll likely steamroll Vandy later this afternoon to give them some more momentum going into the first poll.

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma had a huge test this week against Texas, but making it out of the Cotton Bowl with a win will find the Sooners at the top of the totem pole for a while.

The Sooners are not far behind LSU and Alabama, but they lacked a big win until today.

Oklahoma is in the best position of any team to make it unscathed to the national title game, as the rivalry against Oklahoma State are their only big tests remaining.

The Sooners will most likely maintain their edge this week with an impressive 55-17 win over Texas. Don’t be surprised if they hop to the top spot in a week.

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin earned a huge win in the offseason, as they were able to bring in transfer quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson transferred from N.C. State this past season and has been All-World so far this season at quarterback.

Wisconsin has put together one of the nation’s elite offenses alongside one of the best defenses in the country. The Badgers have been plowing through the competition this season and look to continue the trend today against Indiana.

Wisconsin is likely to finish the season as the Big 10 champions and with Illinois the only ranked team left on their schedule, it looks likely the Badgers will play in the title game.

They may not open the BCS rankings at No. 1, but by season's end they are likely to find themselves very close.

Stanford Cardinal

Stanford has made a great transition this season, despite Jim Harbaugh leaving to coach in the NFL.

They lost some players on defense, but for the most part the core group from the very successful season a year ago remains.

The most important cog in the mechanics of the Cardinal team has been Andrew Luck. His talent has him listed as one of the top picks in the future draft and leading the pack towards the Heisman.

How Stanford finishes the season is crucial and they really only face one more big test in Oregon.

Oregon is one of the one-loss teams to keep an eye on, but Stanford owes Oregon a loss for the drubbing that occurred last season.

If Stanford can stay the course, they too have a very winnable schedule and could play a hand in the SEC being left out of the title game for the first time in five years.