Bowl Projections: LSU and Stanford on Path to Meet for BCS Title After Big Wins

LSU's rugged 9-6 win over rival Alabama on Saturday night was matched by successful outings from BCS contenders Oklahoma State, Stanford, Boise State and Oklahoma.

The narrow escape from Tuscaloosa almost guarantees the unbeaten Tigers a spot in January's BCS National Championship Game. That is, if they can survive the last three games of their 2011 schedule and the SEC Championship Game in December, of course.

However, No. 7 Arkansas looks to be the only team left in LSU's path that could potentially provide a roadblock to the national championship.

But who would earn the right to take on the Bayou Bengals in New Orleans if they finished 2011 a flawless 13-0?

Certainly not Alabama. After having lost at home, their slim chances of a rematch are all but dead.

Oklahoma State barely survived a shootout with Kansas State Saturday night in Stillwater, edging the stumbling Wildcats 52-45 while running their season record to 9-0.

The Cowboys still have a Dec. 3 matchup against the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners on their calendar, meaning one of those BCS contenders will be eliminated on the spot, and an Oklahoma win wouldn't necessarily guarantee the Sooners a return to the top of the polls.

Now it gets tricky.

No. 5 Boise State has TCU at home on Nov. 12, in what is arguably the Broncos' toughest game remaining. But even if Kellen Moore and company walk off the blue turf with a W, their weak resume could hold them back.

And then there is No. 4 Stanford. The last undefeated team from a respectable conference with a Heisman candidate that is playing at home the rest of the way and will be favored in every matchup.

If the Cardinal can top No. 8 Oregon at home on Nov. 12, then they will be three wins away, including the Pac-12 title game, from a berth in the BCS Championship Game providing Oklahoma State's offense has a less-than-stellar outing at least once on the road at Texas Tech, Iowa State or at home against the high-powered Sooners.

Given the leadership of Andrew Luck and how close Stanford came a year ago to appearing in the season's biggest game, Stanford gets the edge over of all the BCS big wigs left to claim the No. 2 BCS spot at season's end.