As a big time college football fan, as much as I don’t won’t to see a LSU vs Alabama rematch, I have to admit that the Alabama Crimson Tide deserves to be in the title game against LSU. I say that as much as a knock against any of the teams who would have to be elevated above the Tide, as I do for support of the Tide though.
Here’s how all the contenders for this year’s title game compare. Next to each team’s name, I’ve listed the combined records and winning percentages of all the teams each team has played in 2011, to date.
My favorite college football team is the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. We have had a decent season this year, and I’ve really enjoyed this college football season. The Big East has had a tough year though, losing Syracuse, Pitt and West Virginia. If things go as planned though, the Big East will add two of the teams on this list.
Top Seven Ranked Teams in College Football (BCS Rankings)
#1 LSU – 82-60 (.578)
LSU (12-0) owns a quality win over Oregon, they already beat #2 Alabama, and they just crushed
Arkansas, who was ranked #3 at the time. If they go on to beat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and then beat Alabama again in the title game, LSU will have done as much as any unbeaten team I can remember to win a championship.
#2 Alabama – 81-61 (.570)
The Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1) have beaten Penn State and Arkansas this year, and lost by three points to LSU, where they missed four field goals. They also beat Kent State out of the MAC, North Texas out of the Sun Belt and Georgia Southern out of the Division 1-AA Southern Conference. Still, a three point loss to LSU is the only blemish on the schedule.
#3 Oklahoma State – 70-58 (.547)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1) have played a decent schedule, but that loss to Iowa State is just too much to overlook. Even a victory over 9-2 Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game would not be enough now to vault them over Alabama. The Crimson Tide lost their only game by three points to the #1 team in the country. Oklahoma State lost by six points to an unranked 6-5 team.
#4 Stanford – 70-75 (.483)
The Stanford Cardinal (11-1) just played too weak a schedule this year to be considered with one loss. The Cardinal did beat USC and Notre Dame, but they lost to an Oregon team that LSU beat. Oregon deserves another shot before Stanford does.
#5 Virginia Tech – 73-57 (.562)
Virginia Tech (11-1) has had a great year, but four of the Hokies 11 wins came against teams from Conference USA, Sun Belt and Division 1-AA Southern Conference. Even if Virginia Tech avenges its only loss on the year in the ACC Championship Game vs Clemson, they don’t have enough quality wins to vault over Alabama.
#6 Houston – 61-82 (.427)
The Houston Cougars (12-0) have played a very weak schedule this season, but they are undefeated. You can only beat the teams you play each year. At 52.7 points per game, the Cougars have the highest scoring offense in college football. If Houston beats Southern Miss in the Conference USA Championship Game, it will be their most impressive win of the season, but not enough to get them over Alabama.
The Cougars are a great reason why we need a playoff system. Then we could really see how good they are.
#7 Boise State – 71-55 (.564)
If only they hadn’t fumbled the ball with just 2:26 left in the game with a 35-28 lead, and then missed the game winning kick as time expired, but the Boise State Broncos (10-1) did in that tough,36-35 loss to TCU. Other than that loss, Boise State would have a good case for being in the title game. The Broncos beat 10-2 Georgia out of the SEC to open the season, so they can compete with the big boys.
Would Boise State be in the title game if they had beaten TCU?