BCS Rankings 2011: Alabama, LSU or Oklahoma—Who's No. 1?

Acknowledging which three teams are the best, most complete teams in the nation is anything but a difficult task, as the Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners are easily the top three teams in college football.

The task becomes especially more difficult when faced with challenge of ranking these very teams, of deciding which squad stands out as the best team of the three. The three categories to look at have to be strength of schedule, winning margin and just how well these teams have played as of late.

Currently the Sooners, Tigers and Crimson Tide are all undefeated, with the Tigers and Tide both 6-0 and Sooners 5-0. Yet of these three undefeated teams, which has gotten the more valuable wins?

The Sooners have beaten two Top 25 teams, topping what was a No. 5 ranked Florida State team and No. 11 ranked Texas team last week in impressive fashion, beating them 55-17.

The Tigers have beaten four Top 25 teams, beating No. 3 Oregon to open the season, No. 25 Mississippi State, No. 16 West Virginia and No. 17 Florida. Both the Mississippi State game and West Virginia game were both on the road,

Alabama's Crimson Tide have three victories over the Top 25, with wins against No. 23 Penn State, No. 14 Arkansas and No. 12 Florida.

Looking past the number of Top 25 victories, it is also equally important to assess just how convincingly these teams were able to dominate in the wins. Alabama has arguably boasted the most impressive run of all three teams, beating Arkansas and Florida in back-to-back weeks by scores of 38-14 and 38-10.

Then again one must also consider the blow-out wins that the Tigers were able to get against both Florida and West Virginia this season as well. As for the Sooners, they have beaten just two Top 25 opponents, yet had No. 11 Texas begging for mercy just last week in the 55-17 blowout victory.

When it comes to margin of victory and ultimately playing dominating football against some strong opponents, there is no question that Alabama have the slight edge for the No. 1 rank.

Also to consider is how the teams have played as of late, as it is equally as important to assess their play in recent weeks when considering the rankings.

LSU has allowed just 18 points in it's last two outings, beating Kentucky and Florida in convincing fashion. The Sooners are a big-time win over a Texas team many thought were easily worthy of a top-10 ranking. Alabama has been red-hot as of late as well, beating Florida, Arkansas and Vanderbilt in three consecutive weeks.

Overall, when considering these three categories, it is evident that the Alabama Crimson Tide are the No. 1 team in the nation. They were able to beat two quality opponents in back-to-back weeks and took down Arkansas in stunning fashion. LSU goes down no more than one spot, holding strong at No. 2 and the Sooners at No. 3.