BCS Bowl Projections: Alabama vs. LSU Matchup a Lock for BCS National Title Game

No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Oklahoma State both finished the season on high notes with wins over Auburn and Oklahoma (respectively), yet only one of these teams will take on LSU in the BCS National Title Game.

And there is no question that that team has to be the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Despite the impressive play of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, it is the Crimson Tide that have proven they are arguably the best team in football all season long.

If one is to compare the wins against ranked opponents, there is no contest between the two teams.

The Crimson Tide has won four of its five games against ranked opponents, with their only loss in a 9-6 overtime game against No. 1 LSU.

In that game, Alabama had every chance to come out on top, yet failed to convert when they had scoring opportunities on LSU's territory.

It was the Crimson Tide who led in time of possession, total yards, first downs and converting on third downs, yet they failed to come up with points at the end of drives.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, have three wins against ranked opponents, beating Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas A&M. The blowout 34-point win over the Sooners was easily the best game the team had played all season both offensively and defensively.

Another big factor is analyzing who these teams have lost to.

The one loss the Cowboys suffered this season and arguably the game that keeps them out of the BCS Championship Game is the 37-31 letdown in double overtime. Iowa State was able to shut down the Cowboy offense just enough to pull out the win.

On the other hand, Alabama only has a loss to No. 1 LSU in what was a hard-fought 9-6 loss in which the Crimson Tide had outplayed the Tigers yet failed to come up big late.

Make no mistake about it, Oklahoma State is a team that is more than ready to compete for a national title.

But when it's all said and done, it's the Crimson Tide that is easily more deserving of the two teams.