BCS Rankings: Alabama vs. Boise St. and More Playoff Games Fans Will Never See

There's few topics in sports more controversial than a BCS playoff. Some people prefer the current system where every regular season holds significant importance en route to a national title, while others want to see a bracket-style tournament to determine the nation's best team.

If the NCAA decided to implement an eight-team playoff, here are the first-round games fans would get to witness based on the Week 14 rankings.

(1) LSU Tigers vs. (8) Arkansas Razorbacks

A rematch from the day after Thanksgiving when LSU used a 17-point fourth quarter to pull away from the pesky Razorbacks. The Tigers have been virtually perfect in every aspect of the game through 12 weeks and have only improved since Jordan Jefferson returned.

Arkansas has enough firepower to give LSU another test, but it's tough to imagine anybody knocking off the Tigers right now. When a team has that much depth, weaknesses are hard to find. What's more, even if they emerge, a different player fills the void.

Prediction: Tigers 35, Razorbacks 14

(2) Alabama Crimson Tide vs. (7) Boise State Broncos

Alabama fans have been clamoring for another chance at LSU, which appears destined to happen under the current format. However, with a playoff, they'd have to win two games before earning that right, the first of which would be against perennial underdog contender Boise State.

The general consensus heading into this game would likely be a big Alabama win. However, the Broncos have stepped up in big games before and Chris Petersen would surely have some tricks up his sleeve to test the Tide's vaunted defense. It still wouldn't be enough to pull off the upset, though.

Prediction: Crimson Tide 31, Broncos 20

(3) Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. (6) Houston Cougars

With two explosive offenses going up and down the field, this game would have the potential to be an instant classic. Houston hasn't faced any elite competition, so it's impossible to tell how the Cougars—led by Heisman candidate Case Keenum—would hold up.

Oklahoma State ranks second in total offense (behind only Houston) thanks to the lethal combination of Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. However, this game would probably be decided by which defense could make more stops in the second half. Based on pedigree, it'd probably be the Cowboys.

Prediction: Cowboys 52, Cougars 38

(4) Stanford Cardinal vs. (5) Virginia Tech Hokies

This game would likely be the closest of the bunch and that's no surprise based on the seeding. Stanford has the game's best player in Andrew Luck, but Virginia Tech has its fair share of weapons as well. These include a defense that ranks seventh in points allowed.

David Wilson is one of the nation's most underrated players, having already rushed for nearly 1,600 yards. He would be Virginia Tech's main weapon as it tried to keep Luck on the sidelines. It's a plan with just enough merit to pull off a minor upset.

Prediction: Hokies 24, Cardinal 21