BCS Rankings: Is the System Working?

The BCS Rankings have been around for 14 years, and the system is under attack like never before.

Following last weekend's major shake-up, when three of the top five teams in the BCS Rankings lost, the BCS Rankings may (or may not) do what it is supposed to do—give us No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the BCS National Championship Game.

If LSU defeats Arkansas today and Georgia next week in the SEC Championship Game, the BCS will easily deliver us the No. 1 team.

Let's say we get through the next two weekends without any major upsets, the likelihood of an Alabama-LSU rematch looks pretty solid. Yep, a replay of a game that was played just a few weeks ago in Tuscaloosa that resulted in a 9-6 win by LSU.

Sound exciting?

If you're an Alabama fan, I guess it does. Let the hype begin in the SEC.

Maybe it makes sense when you consider that the SEC has won five consecutive BCS National Championships. Let's just pit the best two teams from the league in the game and make it six in a row.

But if the Tigers lose either today or next week, well, then let the arguments ensue.

Let's hear their cases.

No. 2 Alabama: As long as the Crimson Tide defeat Auburn, and LSU doesn't lose to Arkansas, it appears the BCS Championship Game will be set with the Tigers and Tide. Alabama has good wins over Penn State and Arkansas.

No. 3 Arkansas: If the Razorbacks knock off No. 1 LSU at Death Valley, then Bobby Petrino's team would be 11-1 and would have a strong case. Of course, Arkansas was throttled by Alabama, 38-14. The 42-38 win over Texas A&M isn't quite as impressive now as it was then.

No. 4 Oklahoma State: The Cowboys must still get past rival Oklahoma, but even if Mike Gundy's team does, there is no way State deserves a spot at the table. The loss to Iowa State is too big of a blemish to warrant overtaking any other program.

No. 5 Virginia Tech: The Hokies are an interesting case. No one is confusing them with the SEC elite, but Frank Beamer's team is just one poor outing against Clemson from being a serious contender for the BCS Championship Game. Tech must get past an inspired Virginia this weekend and then find a way to beat Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. If the Hokies do this and are 12-1, then Beamer's squad would have a legitimate argument.

No. 6 Stanford: The loss to Oregon isn't a death sentence, and the Cardinal will help their case with a big win over Notre Dame this weekend. Stanford also has nice wins over Washington and USC. Unfortunately, Andrew Luck and the Cardinal need too much help.

No. 8 Houston: The Cougars have won every game on their schedule, and if they defeat Tulsa, Houston will be 12-0 and headed to the Conference USA Championship Game. Win that one, and the Cougars are 13-0. Shouldn't that be enough? Welcome to the world of Boise State and TCU. Kevin Sumlin's team has no chance of earning a spot in the big game.

There's a snapshot of what could happen over the next two weeks to shape the BCS National Championship.

Is the BCS working? In a normal year, I'd say yes.

But if there was ever a year where a playoff was needed, it is now.