BCS Rankings: Why Virginia Tech Will Ultimately Ascend to No. 2 in Standings

The current BCS standings may say that the Virginia Tech Hokies are No. 5 in the nation, but in two weeks, they will be in position to play the No. 1 LSU Tigers for the BCS National Championship. It may seem unlikely now, but everything is playing into the Hokies hands at this point.

Provided LSU takes care of business by defeating No. 3 Arkansas this week and No. 13 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, the Tigers will undoubtedly remain atop the rankings. Currently in between Virginia Tech and the No. 2 spot is Alabama, Arkansas and Oklahoma State.

All of those teams, including Virginia Tech, have one loss, meaning an additional loss will knock them out of contention. LSU figures to take out Arkansas this week, leaving only Alabama and Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have a tough matchup with the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners.

The Sooners lost to Baylor on a last-second touchdown last week and are an incredibly enigmatic squad. They tend to play down to their opponents and get up for big games, however that means they should be amped up and ready play against Oklahoma State.

Most probably figure that Alabama will hang on to the No. 2 spot by default provided it takes care of business against No. 24 Auburn this week, but that may not be the case. The Crimson Tide have only one loss, that being to LSU, and are considered by most to be the nation's second best team.

The thing that Alabama has working against it, however, is its inability to play for the SEC Championship. Either LSU or Arkansas is going to win the SEC West, meaning the Crimson Tide will be left out in the cold. It isn't an impossibility, but I think putting an at-large team in the BCS National Championship Game is unlikely.

That leaves everything to Virginia Tech. The Hokies haven't always won impressively, but they have just one loss to their credit against Clemson. Virginia Tech has a big game at Virginia this week that is a must-win in order to get into the ACC Championship Game and stay in the national championship hunt.

Provided the Hokies use their superior talent to take care of the Cavaliers, they will be all set for a rematch with Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. It isn't often that a team gets to atone for a loss in the college football season, but the Hokies are likely to have that opportunity.

The Tigers are a much shakier team than when they beat Virginia Tech, so they should be ripe for the picking. With Alabama being idle, this should allow the Hokies to leapfrog the Crimson Tide and occupy the No. 2 spot.

If that happens, then some may say that Virginia Tech lucked into the national championship game based on circumstance, but the Hokies are a legitimately good team. Defense has always been Virginia Tech's hallmark and that continues to be true.

The Hokies also have a highly-effective offense, though. Logan Thomas is a dual-threat at quarterback who could keep the Tigers' defense honest, while dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate David Wilson carries most of the load at running back.

Not only does the schedule play out favorably for the Hokies to make it to the BCS National Championship Game, but I think they have the best chance to take down LSU. Offensively-oriented teams haven't fared well against the Tigers, but those with strong defenses have given them tougher games.

LSU versus Virginia Tech may not seem like the most thrilling BCS National Championship Game on paper, but if the Hokies win their final two games, then they deserve to be there.