BCS Rankings 2011 Unveiled Live: Who Is No. 1, and Will They Stay There?

Why is this night different from all other nights?

On all other nights, we sit and we watch the magic of college football unfold before our very eyes. On all other nights, we argue with our friends, neighbors and office buddies about who should be No. 1 and why. On all other nights, we celebrate the amazing, the whacky, the mundane and the unpredictable.

On this night, however, a die-hard NCAA football fan's dream comes true. The BCS has officially unveiled its first official ranking. Some fans will be rejoicing tonight; others will be looking for a new TV. But one thing is certain: Any college football fan that has a soul will be poring over the rankings from now until August.

Analyzing the BCS polls is both a confusing and painstaking process. It might even be a process that we might never understand. For at least five minutes, TVs all across the country were tuned to ESPN to see who would come out on top. As the names were being read, some fans were cheering while others were left shaking their heads. 

I can guarantee that they are celebrating in the bayou as Louisiana State sits perched atop the college football throne. We could be in a for a real dogfight going down the stretch. Should the Tigers and No. 2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide keep pace with each other until that epic showdown, we could possibly see the first ever national championship where the two competitors are from the same conference in a long time.

Here are some interesting little tidbits from today's ranking:

When was the last time a BCS ranking was unveiled without Ohio State sitting somewhere in the Top 10? Not only that, they're not even ranked. However, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Illinois all are. It will be a classic fight to the finish when the Big Ten race winds down.

Boise State is 6-0. Again. They will likely finish the year undefeated. Again. The debate will rage on and on about whether or not they should be in the national championship. Again. Personally, I believe they should. Sure, they play in a smaller conference, but I believe everyone should have a fair chance.

Finally, Texas A&M is enjoying another BCS Top 25 ranking this year, but it will be interesting to see if Mike Sherman and co. can keep up the good work, especially in the SEC next year, where the competition will be FAR greater than that of the Big 12. Or is it Big Ten? I don't know; with all this expansion, it's hard to keep them all straight.

On all other nights, we do the mundane—the ordinary. On this night, however, 25 schools continue a journey to be extraordinary.