LSU vs. Alabama Is First Quarterfinal Game of Hypothetical 2011 BCS Playoffs

The BCS quarterfinals begin this weekend.  Sure there’s no actual playoff system in the BCS, but we can have some fun pretending.  Here are the four games that will determine who plays for the title.

No. 1 LSU vs. No. 2 Alabama

This is the most anticipated regular-season game since the 2006 Ohio State/Michigan matchup.  That game was a gem, and this one has all the ingredients to be even better. 

There is little doubt that the best talent in college football will be on the field Saturday night. Neither team has an exploitable weakness.  Both defenses are littered with speed and incredibly strong playmakers that thrive on suffocating opponents.  The offenses just pound defenses into submission.

Considering the recent track record for the SEC making the BCS title game, the winner is certainly in the driver’s seat.  However, the road for both teams is not without challenges.  Alabama still plays at Auburn and LSU faces Arkansas at home on November 25.  These games will be tough, but championship-caliber teams overcome the obstacles.  

The hits will be fierce and the points will be scarce.  Turnovers and making a few plays down the field will determine the outcome.  The edge goes to Alabama playing at home, but LSU will win a close one, 21-20. 

No. 4 Stanford vs. No. 8 Oregon

In a wild finish, the Cardinal narrowly escaped the Coliseum last Saturday in a thrilling 56-48 triple-overtime win over the Trojans.  Luck got lucky, but there is no question that he is the best quarterback.  With the ball in his hands, anything is possible.

The Ducks have been quietly rolling along since LSU put a beatdown on them in Week 1.  Oregon won’t make it to the title game this year, but they can definitely play spoiler by knocking off Stanford next week. 

The key to the game will be Stanford’s ability to stop Oregon’s running game.  Despite Darron Thomas’ knee injury, the Ducks are still averaging over 300 yards on the ground.  If Thomas is hitting on all cylinders, they have an excellent shot at pulling the upset on the road.

Similar to last season, there will be a lot of momentum swings in the game.  Luck will find a way to get it done again.  Stanford wins 48-42.

No. 6 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Oklahoma State

Two weeks ago, most experts thought the winner of the Alabama/LSU game would play Oklahoma for the championship.  Then the Sooners laid a colossal egg at home against Texas Tech.  They managed to rebound nicely last week against Kansas State, but still need some help to make it back to the BCS title game.  Beating OSU will improve their chances. 

With the exception of the Texas A&M game, the Cowboys have pretty much slaughtered the field so far this season catapulting them to No. 3 in the standings.  That’s a mild surprise.

Oklahoma has dominated the series lately, mainly because the Cowboys defense has been terrible.  They’re not much better this year yielding 455 yards and 26 points per game, but they create turnovers—a lot of them.  They lead the FBS with 29.  If that trend continues, they’ll easily walk into this game undefeated ready to play for the title.

Both offenses are explosive.  They might not achieve the same totals as the Northern Illinois/Toledo game earlier this week when 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns were amassed, but they’ll come close.  Typically in games like this, the team with the ball last wins. 

The game is in Stillwater giving OSU a slight advantage.  It won’t help.  Sooners win 55-51.

Pac-12 Championship Game

With the Big Ten, ACC and Big East out the national championship picture, the Pac-12 championship game is likely to have an impact on the BCS title game as long as Stanford makes it to the game.  If not, it will be meaningless.  

The whole system could be in turmoil if LSU, Alabama and Stanford would somehow lose a game. Regardless, there does not seem to be a team out there with the balance on both sides of the ball to seriously challenge LSU or Alabama.  It might be nice to see Boise make the game to put the argument to test. 

Are the Broncos good enough to win it all?  Probably not, but at least the debate will be settled.