BCS Rankings: What Virginia Tech Needs to Make National Championship Game

The Virginia Tech Hokies are the prime benefactor of a seismic shift that occurred in the top 10 of the BCS rankings on Saturday. 

The crazy college football action led to Tech being ranked No. 5 in the latest BCS standings.

College football fans everywhere were on the edge of their seats, as either improved or diminished their chances at a ticket to the BCS National Championship.

For Hokie fans, hopes turned from an ACC Championship to an outside shot at a National Championship.

Tech needs a lot of help, however. Here is what Frank Beamer's team needs to get a chance for the elusive trophy.

Win the Commonwealth Cup

Defeating rival Virginia will not be an easy proposition for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The game will determine the ACC Coastal representative in the conference championship game. 

The Cavaliers are coming off a nail-biting upset win over the previously ranked Florida State Seminoles on Saturday night.

The Hokies have won the last seven contests against the Cavaliers and Mike London's squad is rearing to avenge its recent mishaps against Tech.

Virginia is equipped with its best team in years and has a great opportunity to make its inaugural BCS game. Tech will get its best shot from its in-state rival and better be ready for a slugfest. 

If Tech doesn't play its best game on Saturday afternoon, the Hokies can forget about an ACC Championship, let alone a National Championship bid.

Virginia Tech will travel to Charlottesville for the rivalry game at 3:30 PM ET on ABC or ESPN 2.   

Win the ACC Championship

Virginia Tech has the unique distinction of being the only BCS contender that gets to avenge its only loss.

If the Hokies get by Virginia, Tech will face off against the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship. The Hokies lost to the Tigers 23-3 in the first meeting in Blacksburg.

In order to avenge its loss, the Hokies must play better on the offensive side of the ball and score with the potent Clemson offense.

A win in this game would ensure a bid to the Discover Orange Bowl at worst for Virginia Tech and increase its schedule strength for the BCS computer formulas. 

LSU to Win the Battle for the Golden Boot

Tech fans should cheer for the LSU Tigers to defeat the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday at 2:30 PM ET on CBS.

The two SEC West rivals have perennially played close contests in recent years. The average margin of victory for the two foes is 3.5 over their last six games.

Arkansas and LSU have split the last six games at three wins a piece. However, the Razorbacks have won three of the last four as coach Bobby Petrino has fared well against Les Miles.

An LSU win would likely move the Hokies past Arkansas in to the No. 4 slot behind LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma State. 

Auburn to Upset Alabama

This is the unlikeliest of scenarios for Virginia Tech.

Crazier things have happened.

Auburn and Alabama are two rivals very far apart in terms of talent in 2011. Alabama has dominated every opponent with the exception of LSU thus far this season.

The Auburn Tigers have slugged to a 7-4 record with struggles against the best teams from the SEC West. The Tigers simply lost too much talent after last season's National Championship run.

On paper, Alabama should easily win this game by double digits. As we all know, the Iron Bowl is never determined on paper and Nick Saban will have his Tide ready to roll.

Should the Tigers pull of the upset, the Hokies would likely jump Alabama. Combined with an Arkansas loss, the Hokies would stand at No. 3 in the BCS rankings. 

The game will kickoff at 3:30 PM ET on CBS. 

Oklahoma to Win Bedlam

The Oklahoma Sooners have defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys on eight consecutive occasions in the Bedlam series.

The Cowboys are coming off a tough loss to the lowly Iowa State Cyclones, and are poised to avenge their recent struggles versus the Sooners.

Oklahoma is likewise coming off a difficult defeat at the hands of Robert Griffin III and Baylor. Oklahoma must rebound in a hurry to have a chance to contain the potent attack of Oklahoma State.

Look for a high-flying affair between these two in-state rivals at 8:00 PM ET on ABC this Saturday.

With an Oklahoma win to go with the aforementioned results, the Hokies would be in position to play for the BCS National Championship.