BCS Rankings 2011: Why Loser of LSU-Alabama Clash Still Deserves BCS Title Berth

LSU and Alabama are No. 1 and 2 respectively in both the current BCS rankings and AP poll, and they will play for the top spot in every poll on Nov. 5 in an epic SEC clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Alabama.

The loser of this momentous battle should still be in a prime position for a BCS title berth. Both these teams play an unbelievably tough schedule, and this will be the toughest regular season match each school will have all season.

LSU and Alabama have great defenses with great athletic skill and speed, and both have good offenses that find ways to score points.

Did I also mention they are very well coached?

Their skill is quite obvious, but there aren't any teams who are close to these to. Both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, No. 3 and 4 in the BCS rankings respectively, aren't as good as LSU and Alabama, especially on defense.

LSU and Alabama's out of conference schedules are also impressive. LSU played and beat a talented West Virginia team from the Big East, and Alabama beat a quality Penn State team from the Big Ten.

Teams high in the BCS rankings, like the Boise State Broncos and Wisconsin Badgers, have no shot at a BCS title because their out of conference opponents were so weak.

Not only do the Tigers and Crimson Tide play their typical brutal SEC schedule, they challenged themselves out of the conference.

The LSU-Alabma clash on Nov. 5 might as well be the national championship game. These are the two best teams from the most talented conference in the country.

The loser of the game probably won't take a massive hit in their BCS ranking, but they will have to get some help from teams ahead of them.

LSU and Alabama are clearly the only two teams worthy of playing the BCS title game thus far, and should be there unless one of them loses twice.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news and updates.  Follow @NicholasGoss35