BCS Rankings 2011: Predicting the Top 5 Teams Before They're Released

With the first BCS rankings of the 2011 season set to be released on October 16, now is as good of a time as any to speculate on who will be in the Top Five of the BCS rankings this season.

Here are the five teams, and the order of where they should end up on the end-all-be-all rankings list known as the BCS rankings

5. Boise State Broncos

In their first year playing in the Mountain West Conference, the Boise State Broncos will not have much help stating their case to play for a BCS title, even if they run the board and go undefeated.

Their biggest game coming up is against TCU, who normally would be a good win for anyone, but this season TCU has struggled and will be just an OK win where Boise State needs a great one.

Look for Boise St. to hover around the 5-8 range if they can stay undefeated.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys have a tough road ahead of them, but have the talent to win all of their games ahead including one against Top 25 ranked Texas, Baylor and Kansas State.

Oklahoma States biggest game of course will be the last game of the regular season when they face off against No. 1 ranked in-state rival the Oklahoma Sooners.

That end of season game could very well decide who will be included in the BCS title game come January.

3. Louisiana State University Tigers

Louisiana State University holds their own destiny in their hands as they have a bevy of tough opponents left to face, and winning out would all but guarantee them a spot in the BCS title game.

The three key games that will test LSU most are No.15 Auburn, No. 2 Alabama and No.10 Arkansas, winning these three games in addition to the rest of their slate, and the LSU Tigers could very well be playing for the BCS title.

2. Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners gave a glimpse to what exactly  they are capable by giving the Longhorns a Texas-sized beat down this week.

With games against ranked opponents in four of their last seven games, the Oklahoma Sooners are in the drivers seat on the road to the BCS title.

Again the last regular season game for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State could be the deciding factor of which Oklahoma team makes it to the BCS title game.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide should be the No.1 team in the BCS rankings come October 16 due to their impressive blowout victories over Top 25-caliber opponents.

With two big games left that standout on their schedule, Alabama could find its title hopes realized or dashed in their showdown with current No.1 ranked LSU on November 5.