Bowl Predictions 2012: Predicting the 5 Best BCS Title Matchups vs. LSU

While LSU's win over Alabama was not technically a national semifinal, the Tigers now find themselves on the inside track to get to New Orleans.

They still have to deal with a very good Arkansas team who has beaten them three of the last four years, as well as the SEC Championship game against either Georgia or South Carolina.

History has told us, however, that great teams can withstand even the gauntlet that is an SEC schedule. Should LSU successfully navigate their remaining schedule, here are the five best options to face the Bayou Bengals in the Superdome.

None are named Alabama, Oregon or any other team whom the Tigers have already beaten.

Oklahoma State

Alabama has yet to find a game-breaking receiver to replace Julio Jones, and the lack of a big-play threat doomed the Tide against LSU.

Oklahoma State does not have a similar problem, as Justin Blackmon is the best receiver in the country.

The Cowboys topped 50 points for the fifth time in nine games, and seeing the trio of Blackmon, QB Brandon Weeden and RB Joseph Randle face the vaunted LSU defense would be a battle of strengths.

The sentiment would be that LSU would do to the Cowboys what Florida did to the 2008 Oklahoma juggernaut, but even that great Sooners offense did not have a receiver as dangerous as Blackmon.

Stanford

The one thing that will forever be disappointing about Pete Carroll's USC dynasty is that they never faced an SEC defense in a bowl game.

It would be a shame if the same fate happened to Andrew Luck and Stanford.  No quarterback since John Elway has come through the college ranks with as much NFL potential as Luck.

If he can shine once again with the national spotlight on him against Oregon and Notre Dame, the desire would be immense to see how the almost-certain top pick in the 2012 NFL Draft would fare against the ultimate test of facing LSU in New Orleans.

Boise State

Each year, the Broncos' tests have gotten more difficult.

They beat Oregon in 2009, but that was at home.

They beat Virginia Tech on the road last season, but they're an ACC team.

They beat Georgia on the road this season, knocking off the SEC East favorite in their own backyard.

The ultimate test for the ultimate Cinderella would be facing an SEC team for the national title.

They'll need some help to move past Oklahoma State and Stanford if Kellen Moore is to bring a 50-2 career record into New Orleans. Never would a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup seem so much like David vs. Goliath.

Oklahoma

The Sooners suffered a major loss against Texas A&M as star receiver Ryan Broyles tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.

Despite the injury bug taking its toll on Oklahoma in recent weeks, Bob Stoops's team remains loaded, and may need only a loss by Stanford to control their own destiny for the title game.

Eight years ago, OU and Heisman Trophy winner Jason White went to New Orleans and were shut down by LSU in the title game. They've lost two other BCS Championship Games since then, and would love another chance to make amends for previous disappointments in the ultimate game.

Clemson

The Tigers likely saw their national title hopes end in the loss to Georgia Tech, but they still have more opportunities to show that the defeat in Atlanta was just an aberration. Their loss was far more respectable than Oklahoma's, and even playing in the ACC, their resume will look pretty good at 12-1.

Is it realistic for Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Oregon and Stanford all to lose? Stranger things have happened, as all four teams have multiple tests remaining.

It's a long road back for Clemson, but there's no doubting their offensive firepower.