BCS Standings: Why NCAA Needs LSU vs. Oklahoma State Title Tilt

LSU vs. Oklahoma State would be college football’s ultimate elite defense against elite offense showdown in 2011.  It would be a must-watch national title: the undefeated winners of the best two conferences going head-to-head.  In reality, though, what the NCAA needs is anything but a LSU-Alabama final.

The Tigers against the Cowboys wouldn’t come with much controversy.  Sure, teams like Stanford and Boise State would be undefeated and wondering why they didn’t get in.  But no one is arguing that the SEC and Big 12 are the two best conferences this season; it’s not even close.

Just imagine Justin Blackmon and Morris Claiborne, arguably the top 2012 NFL Draft prospects at wide receiver and cornerback, going at it.  Oklahoma State has an offense that averages 50 points a game while LSU’s defense surrenders just 11: something has to give.  While a Tigers-Cowboys matchup would be ideal, as long as the Crimson Tide don’t get another shot at the national championship, college football will be a better place.

It doesn’t matter that Alabama only lost by three points in overtime to the No. 1 team in the nation.  They shouldn’t get another chance to defeat LSU over a team that hasn’t had such an opportunity.  Stanford, Boise State, Oklahoma and Oregon would all be better matchups for the Tigers.

The Game of the Century turned out to be the Nap Igniter of the Century.  No one but Alabama fans want to see such a reenactment.  After entering last Saturday’s game with so much hype and it turning out to be a disappointment, a rematch in the national title would be an even greater letdown.

And what if Alabama would win?  All of a sudden LSU and the Crimson Tide would be tied in a season series 1-1.  That just shouldn’t happen.

Oklahoma State, Stanford and Boise State are all top-notch, undefeated football teams.  Unless all three are upset before the end of the season, Alabama should not receive a national title bid.

Here are the updated BCS standings:

Rank	Team	BCS Average
1	LSU	.9931
2	Oklahoma State	.9447
3	Alabama	.8836
4	Stanford	.8749
5	Boise State	.8473
6	Oklahoma	.7978
7	Oregon	.7708
8	Arkansas	.7452
9	Clemson	.6435
10	Virginia Tech	.5913
11	Houston	.551
12	Penn State	.484
13	South Carolina	.453
14	Kansas State	.381
15	Georgia	.370
16	Texas	.366
17	Michigan State	.337
18	Wisconsin	.305
19	Nebraska	.279
20	Auburn	.210
21	Georgia Tech	.209
22	Southern Mississippi	.204
23	Cincinnati	.187
24	Michigan	.177
25	Baylor	.071

 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.  Follow him on Twitter.