BCS Rankings 2011: Projecting Top 5 Teams and National Championship Game

College football's initial BCS rankings have at least put the top five teams in the country in the correct order.

This will most certainly change come season's end, as there is the chance of five BCS conference teams going undefeated, in addition to Boise State.

Controversy?

Yes, we can almost guarantee it.

Here is a look at how the Top Five and BCS National Championship Game could play out.

BCS Championship: (No. 1) Alabama vs. (No. 2) Oklahoma State

The Crimson Tide are the most dominant team in college football, and on Judgment Day (Nov. 5) they will prove it against the LSU Tigers.

The Tide will roll through the rest of their SEC schedule (the Iron Bowl will still be a battle), and they'll ultimately defeat the SEC East champion in the conference title game to seal their place in the title game.

As for Oklahoma State, they get the nod over the in-state rival Sooners because of their schedule.

Oklahoma might have a better overall defense, but the Pokes' three toughest remaining opponents (Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma) are all at home, and they have shown the ability to dominate on the road as well.

With no Big 12 championship game this year, the Cowboys and Sooners will settle matters on Dec. 3 for the right to play in the BCS National Championship Game.

Stanford (No. 3)

The Cardinal are on a mission to make a play for the national championship game. Sadly, even an undefeated Pac-12 champion doesn't deserve a shot at the title over an unbeaten SEC or Big 12 school.

Andrew Luck and Stanford still have games against Oregon and Notre Dame to deal with. A year ago the Ducks were the only blemish on the Cardinal schedule, and Stanford will be out to avenge that loss this year.

Whoever wins the Pac-12 South (likely Arizona State) doesn't stand a chance against Luck's team in the first Pac-12 championship game.

Boise State (No. 4)

The Broncos are stuck in no man's land. They've already defeated the only ranked opponent on their schedule, and the only thing they can hope for is for all four teams currently ahead of them to lose.

Boise State has been working towards a potential national championship berth for years now, but with so many difficult schedules in BCS conference football, it is hard to give the Broncos an edge over another team.

They could move up to No. 3 should Oregon knock off Stanford, but they'll be lucky to land in front of an unbeaten Wisconsin team.

Wisconsin (No. 5)

Wisconsin's final positioning will likely depend on how the other teams around them fare.

Illinois' loss to Ohio State won't help matters, and should the Illini slip up one more time it will cost the Badgers another game against a ranked opponent.

They've only played one so far in Nebraska but do travel to East Lansing and Columbus in the next two weeks.

The Badgers also haven't left Camp Randall just yet. They need to prove they can win away from home before they're taken seriously.

2011 Week 8 BCS Rankings
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Oklahoma State
5. Boise State
6. Wisconsin
7. Clemson
8. Stanford
9. Arkansas
10. Oregon
11. Kansas State
12. Virginia Tech
13. Nebraska
14. South Carolina
15. West Virginia
16. Michigan State
17. Texas A & M
18. Michigan
19. Houston
20. Auburn
21. Penn State
22. Georgia Tech
23. Illinois
24. Texas
25. Washington