BCS Rankings 2011: What Must Happen to Spare Us an LSU vs Alabama Rematch

Are you ready for round two of the Game of the Century? While many scoff at that reference, we took a huge step in that direction when Oklahoma State was upset by Iowa State on Friday night.

Now, if Alabama beats Georgia Southern, which is all but guaranteed, they will likely be the new No. 2 team. Honestly, it doesn't bother me as much as it seems to bother many fans and my peers in the media.

The two best teams should play. As of right now, is there another team that is better than Alabama, besides LSU? The answer, at this point is certainly no.

But, for those that are more concerned with variety and being entertained with a prettier game than the 9-6 defensive battle we saw in Week 8, here is what must happen to avoid a rematch:

LSU

The Tigers would have to drop one or more of their final three games. None of them are going to be easy tasks. As we saw with Oklahoma State, that conference game you thought would be a bye week can ruin your season.

LSU will be in that situation when they take on Ole Miss on Saturday night. If they survive that game, the big time SEC opponents await: Arkansas in the regular season finale and Georgia in the SEC championship game.

Needless to say, LSU's ticket has not been definitively punched for the BCS title game. If they lose either of the last two games, there is no guarantee they would fall beneath No. 2.

Alabama

The Tide must hold off a game, but likely overmatched, Georgia Southern team. If they do that, the Iron Bowl awaits. Auburn has been sporadic all year long, but their dream game would be this opportunity to deny their bitter rivals a spot in the title game.

One unlikely scenario would have LSU dropping both remaining regular season games, with Bama beating Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

That would put Alabama in the SEC title game against Georgia and turn the rankings on their ear.

Oklahoma

The Sooners still have a tough road ahead. They are without Ryan Broyles and Dominic Whaley and they still have Baylor, Iowa State and Oklahoma State on the schedule.

They have to run the table to get in, but even that may not be enough to hold off Oregon who will have the benefit of looking sharp in a conference championship game.

They may need a misstep by two teams to get in, even though they are currently third. The Oregon momentum is very strong.

Oregon

The Ducks are perhaps the hottest team in the country. They have the best resume of all the one loss teams when you consider their only loss was in the season opener to LSU.

They can make the case against Alabama and Oklahoma, if all finish with one loss. Bama's loss was to LSU as well, but it was at home, while Oregon's was on a neutral field. Oklahoma lost to a Texas Tech team that has since looked horrible.

Oregon is the team that most deserves the nod right now in my opinion.

Oklahoma State

How bout the Cowboys? They too only have one loss. Unfortunately that loss was almost as bad in every since of the word. It was against a subpar team, late in the season. The only saving grace is that it was on the road.

I don't believe they deserve to fall below Oklahoma. Their loss was not as bad as the Sooners setback. Still, it is too late in the season, especially without a conference title game to make up that ground.

So there you have it, most, if not all of the scenarios that have to play out to avoid another LSU and Alabama game, this time for it all.