BCS Standings 2011: What Will Top 3 Look Like When First Rankings Are Released?

Three teams have separated themselves from the pack ahead of Sunday's first BCS rankings release. The Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners are the general consensus top three teams, but in what order will they land?

No. 1 – LSU Tigers

LSU is 7-0 and has beat four ranked teams, including the high-flying Oregon Ducks to open the season. There is no team that can match that résumé. The Tigers should easily claim the top spot and be in the BCS driver's seat.

Even though the defense gets most of the national attention, LSU's offense has slowly become an elite unit in its own right. Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue are a terrific ground trio and Jarrett Lee has done exactly what's asked of him—manage the game and don't make big mistakes.

Biggest roadblocks: Nov. 5 at Alabama, Nov. 25 vs. Arkansas, SEC Championship Game

No. 2 – Alabama Crimson Tide

While Alabama has three wins over ranked teams, none have come against teams inside the Top 10. The good news is that the defense hasn't given up more than 14 points in any game and the offense hasn't score less than 27, so it's a well rounded team that should be able to avoid any major upset bids.

Trent Richardson scored four more touchdowns against Mississippi on Saturday, bringing his season total to 16. To say he's a special talent would be an understatement. However, if Alabama is going to run the table, they'll need a second option to develop in the passing game alongside Marquis Maze.

Biggest roadblocks: Nov. 5 vs. LSU, Nov. 26 at Auburn, SEC Championship Game

No. 3 – Oklahoma Sooners

The difference between Oklahoma and Alabama is minuscule and will likely be decided by how the computer views wins over Florida State and Texas after both teams struggled following losses to the Sooners. The teams were ranked No. 5 and No. 11 when Oklahoma beat them.

Landry Jones is increasing his Heisman and NFL Draft stocks on a weekly basis and he owes a lot of his success to the seemingly unguardable Ryan Broyles. The biggest question is, how will the Sooners' defense respond to big tests against Texas A&M, Baylor and Oklahoma State?

Biggest roadblocks: Oct. 29 at Kansas State, Nov. 19 at Baylor, Dec. 3 at Oklahoma State