BCS Rankings 2011: 5 Teams Vying for the Championship Game

As we enter week 7 of college football, only 12 undefeated teams remain. all vying for the top two spots in the BCS National Championship. 

Unfortunately, 10 will be left out of the all the fun in New Orleans this year. Every week, things will change and this number will thin. Five teams stand out for now as the top in their conferences and all have the chance to prove themselves over the next couple of weeks. 

The college football landscape is full of surprises, upsets, and powerhouses. These five will survive the hype and make their case for a chance to play for the National Title. 

Clemson

The Tigers are owning the ACC this season with quality wins over Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Auburn. Clemson will be hurting if QB Tajh Boyd's hip injury suffered Saturday against Boston College keeps him out more than two games as the Tigers match up against undefeated Georgia Tech in three weeks.

Winning the ACC and boasting an undefeated record will do wonders for the Tigers in the BCS rankings. Getting an invite to New Orleans this season will take some magic and a couple teams ranked above them falling to the wayside.  

Stanford

The Stanford Cardinal is undefeated as Heisman favorite Andrew Luck leads a strong offense. They control their own destiny in the Pac-12 and only have one ranked opponent left with Oregon visiting them in five weeks. 

Stanford has the potential to jump a few teams, should they beat #9 Oregon on Nov. 12, which could very well propel them into the title game. Winning the inaugural Pac-12 Championship makes a convincing argument as well, considering it is one of the most powerful conferences in the nation.  

Wisconsin

The Badgers have quietly clawed their way into the top five in the rankings. The Big Ten is under their control if they continue to play at the same level they have been.

With only one ranked team, #19 Illinois, left on their regular season schedule, Wisconsin will need to finish out strong, then win the Big Ten title game to have any chance of leapfrogging someone and going to New Orleans instead of Los Angeles for a BCS Bowl game. 

Oklahoma

The Sooners are one of three teams in the nation that are set for the championship if they win out. Sweeping the board, Oklahoma will hold the #2 spot in the nation. Other teams need them to lose at least once to have a chance.

Stoops knows how to keep a championship team on course. Expect the Sooners to do what they must to end up in New Orleans this year to compete for the Crystal Ball. 

LSU

The Tigers have a tough road ahead of them to just go a few miles down the road to New Orleans. The SEC is a monster of a conference, and any week could be the one where they have a let down. 

LSU has three ranked opponents remaining, including #2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa and #10 Arkansas in Death Valley. The Tigers have more than enough talent and potential to finish out the season and play for the title. Les Miles and company know how to be a championship contender in the SEC.

Watch for this powerhouse to make the rest of their season proof they deserve to be in New Orleans in January.