BCS Rankings: Why Alabama's Ranking Shows Fairness of BCS System

It took four missed field goals and overtime for LSU to pull off the win against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Are we really surprised when the Tide only fell to No. 3 in the latest BCS rankings?

Of course not. Well, at least we shouldn't be.

Alabama and LSU, if not for playing in the same division of the same conference, would be on a collision course for the national championship nearly every year.

While we love to see these teams play as much as possible, it is hardly fair that, without a playoff system, the fact that they must meet every season could derail their chances at playing for the national championship.

This year, it is clearly evident that they are the best two teams in all the land.

They were barely separated by a field goal and, although it was ugly, the teams played their hearts out in Bryant-Denny Stadium that night.

The points in the polls finally show some semblance of fairness to the system.

At least at this point in the season.

Oklahoma State more than deserves to be No. 2, narrowly ahead of the Tide right now. It's faced a tough Big 12 schedule, had some very tricky road games and been one of the most dominant teams in the nation all year long.

The Cowboys still have the Bedlam Game looming on Dec. 3, but should they go unbeaten, they will be more than deserving to play in the national championship game.

And then that brings us to Alabama at No. 3, Stanford at No. 4 and Boise State at No. 5.

If there is a week that Stanford can leapfrog over the Tide, it will be after Nov. 12. The Cardinal take on the only team that beat them last season, Oregon, in a game that will surely feature more scoring than LSU-Alabama.

Should Stanford win, then they'll have earned the opportunity to possibly jump the Tide. Should they lose, it gives Oregon even more of a chance to stake a one-loss claim behind Alabama.

Both Oregon and Alabama will be sitting with one loss, each at the hands of LSU, with Boise State likely remaining undefeated.

As cruel as it is, the Broncos' schedule simply doesn't merit them jumping a one-loss Alabama, Oklahoma, (potential) Stanford or Oregon.

Boise State's toughest game will be this week at home against TCU. Its toughest game all season was against Georgia in the Georgia Dome.

The LSUs, Alabamas and Oklahomas play those types of games week in and week out.

With three weeks, possibly four with conference championship games, remaining on the schedule, the BCS actually has things correct.

They will certainly change again, heck, it will change after this week. But as things stand the BCS is completely fair, and that includes Alabama.