LSU vs. Alabama Rematch: Ranking the 5 Next-Best Teams After the Tide and Tigers

With the BCS National Championship Game likely to feature the No. 1 LSU Tigers (13-0) and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1), the question now being asked is: Who is the next best thing? What are the best teams besides the two SEC powerhouses?

The top 25 has been scattered all season, with parity of epic proportions this year, but there is some clear talent that is found at the top.

College football has seen the SEC take control of the game in the past several years, with the conference going for its sixth consecutive national title.

But the Pac-12 and Big Ten have been growing in talent, and they're starting to make a case for themselves in the inevitable discussion of which is the most powerful conference.

Looking at the rest of the talent scattered in the Top 10, here are the five next-best teams, following the Tide and Tigers.

No. 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-1, 8-1 Big 12)

The Oklahoma State Cowboys played their best game of the season this weekend, closing out their regular season schedule and defeating their in-state rival 44-10.

The Cowboys were battling to impress the voters, hoping they'd be able to leap above No. 2 Alabama and make it into the title game.

Oklahoma State has defeated some very good football teams this season on their way to a BCS title berth. The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the country, as their strength relies on the arm of stud quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The Cowboys are likely to land in the Fiesta Bowl, a great game to be a part of, but shy of their goal. If their one overtime loss had gone the other way, the Cowboys would be in the national title game.

Unfortunately, the Cowboys can’t go back and finish. Some would argue Oklahoma State deserves the shot at LSU, not Bama, but at this point, the conversation looks to be over. 

No. 5 Oregon Ducks (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12)

The Oregon Ducks started the season against the No. 1 LSU Tigers in Dallas. It was a tough game that ended in a 13-point LSU win, but the Ducks had missed opportunities.

Their most recent loss came to a very good USC Trojans team, a team that would have been facing the Ducks for a second time in the Pac-12 title game, if not for NCAA sanctions.

Oregon has one of the most dangerous rushing tandems in the country and the third-best scoring offense in the country. The Ducks can score from anywhere on the field, and are now the 2011 Pac-12 champions.

The Ducks will go on to the Rose Bowl to face the winner of the Big Ten championship, and a furious battle is expected in Pasadena.

Oregon is not the most formidable defensive team in the country, but they can throw up points like no one else. Expect the Rose Bowl to be a treat, as the Ducks will be unleashed.

No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (11-2, 7-2 Big Ten)

Wisconsin fell victim to the most ridiculous odds ever in college football.

Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary was amazing, but Wisconsin losing two games in a row off game-ending Hail-Mary passes is unfathomable.

But outside of two seemingly lucky plays, the Badgers have played great football.

The Badgers have a Top 5 quarterback in Russell Wilson, and arguably the best running back in the country in Montee Ball. Wilson has been extraordinary in his first and final season with the Badgers, but Ball has been the most impressive back in the country.

Ball has rushed for 1,759 yards on 275 carries and has added 32 rushing touchdowns. In addition to his ridiculous ground stats, he has 20 receptions for 255 yards and six touchdowns.

Granted, the Badgers' defense has been suspect at times, but Wisconsin is just two plays away from the national title game. It’s hard to deny their ability.

The upcoming Rose Bowl matchup will be must-see TV.

USC Trojans (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12)

The USC Trojans are playing in spite of NCAA sanctions levied on them a few seasons ago, as Pete Carroll was finishing his tenure at USC.

Lane Kiffin has picked up the pieces, surprisingly, in the last two seasons, and he has himself one of the best teams in college football.

USC plays in what is likely the second-toughest conference in the country, and the Trojans would have been in the Pac-12 title game if not for the NCAA sanctions. They are also ineligible for bowl play this season.

Despite the sanctions, the Trojans have become one of the best teams in college football this year. A big win over Oregon, and a triple-overtime loss, are the two biggest swings in the Trojans' season.

USC would be a contender for a BCS bowl berth if not for their current status, but denying them as one of the best teams in the country would be inexcusable. 

No. 4 Stanford Cardinal (11-1, 8-1 Pac-12)

Stanford is one of the most balanced teams in college football this season.

The Cardinal rank in the top 25 in virtually every major category, both offensively and defensively, showing a true balance and spread of talent across the team.

Andrew Luck is a very talented player, and is likely the best pure quarterback in the game this season. But he also has a very good supporting cast that most cast aside when they assume that Stanford isn’t as talented as most of their opponents.

Of course, Stanford has to pass on some of the talent pool, but overall they have their fair share of athletes.

Stanford will be looking to nab an at-large berth into the BCS, and will be hoping that they can continue to show their talent on the national stage.