BCS Rankings 2011: Why Alabama Will Be the No. 1 Team in the Nation

It almost seems wrong to separate No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama by declaring who is the best team in college football.

Both teams have been undoubtedly dominant and have given college football fans two teams worthy of meeting up in the BCS Championship Game.

However, the only problem with that is that both teams will face each other on the all-important date of Nov. 5 and it's very likely the loser will be left out of the title game with teams such as Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Boise State and Wisconsin nipping at their heels.

Thus, it must be done. We must decide who is the best team in college football and, ultimately, who will win on Nov. 5.

First, there's LSU. Nobody could have imagined Les Miles' team playing this spectacularly after losing top cornerback Patrick Peterson to the NFL and starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson to suspension.

However, two players in particular, sophomore corner Tyrann Mathieu and fifth-year quarterback Jarrett Lee, have stepped in admirably. Given Jefferson's interception-prone season in 2010, you could even argue Lee is a better quarterback.

LSU is giving up 11.7 points per game this season, ranked seventh in college football. What makes this even more astonishing is that they've played teams such as Oregon, Mississippi State, West Virginia and Florida in the always-competitive SEC.

They also have star receiver Rueben Randle (532 yards, five TDs) and junior running back Spencer Ware on offense.

LSU's strength lies in its defense, but it's not like the offense can't light up the scoreboard, averaging 38.4 points per game. In short, LSU has the balance to topple Alabama.

However, when all is said and done, LSU won't defeat Alabama, and here's why.

For one, Alabama has the best offensive player on the two squads in Heisman candidate Trent Richardson, who looks better than Mark Ingram ever was and has rushed for 912 yards and 15 touchdowns in just seven games. Anyone who saw his 76-yard touchdown run against Ole Miss last week knows what he's capable of.

Secondly, Alabama has a better defense as a whole, giving up 7.0 points per game despite playing Arkansas and Florida. They've allowed opponents to throw for just 146 yards per game this season and also trump LSU in run defense, allowing a ridiculous 1.5 yards per carry.

Lastly, while Lee has been solid for LSU this season, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron has more game-changing ability. There's a reason Miles has limited Lee's pass attempts this season.

I expect Alabama's defense to cause Lee fits on Nov. 5 and the Crimson Tide's rush defense to limit Ware in the backfield.

It's going to be a great game, but when all is said and done I expect Alabama to claim the crown as the No. 1 team in the country on the way to a trip to the BCS Championship Game.