ShareThisBCS backers should have no qualms about an almost-certain rematch between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama in the BCS national-championship game.
Playoff proponents can gripe to their hearts' content about not wanting to see the SEC powers play for all the marbles, because "they've already played."
But it's going to happen.
Anybody who's been paying attention knows the Tigers and Tide are the two best teams in the country, hands down.
Since the main objective of the BCS selection system of polls and computer rankings is to determine the top two teams most qualified to play for the BCS title, LSU vs. 'Bama is a no-brainer for the Jan. 9 championship game in New Orleans.
Their bodies of work are easily the most impressive of any of the other title contenders: No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 4 Stanford and No. 5 Virginia Tech.
Even if No. 1 LSU (12-0) loses to No. 14 Georgia in the SEC-championship game Saturday in Atlanta, the Tigers should, and probably would, still get to play for the national title.
LSU has beaten seven teams that were ranked when they played, including three in the top 10: No. 3 Oregon, No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Arkansas.
Alabama has beaten five ranked opponents, including a 38-14 drubbing of No. 8 Arkansas. Its only loss was to LSU, 9-6, in overtime.
By comparison, Oklahoma State has beaten three teams that were ranked when they played, including a one-point victory against then-No. 8 Texas A&M. The Aggies are now 6-6 and unranked.
The only other ranked opponents Oklahoma State has beaten are No. 11 Kansas State and No. 22 Texas.
Oklahoma State's one loss was to 6-5 Iowa State, 37-31, in double overtime.
Stanford beat three teams that were ranked when they played: No. 25 Washington, No. 20 Southern Cal in triple overtime and No. 22 Notre Dame. Washington finished the season at 7-5 and out of the ranks. Notre Dame fell out of the rankings as well after its 28-14 loss to the Cardinal.
Stanford (11-1) lost to the only top-10 team it faced, No. 9 Oregon, 53-30.
Virginia Tech, which is inexplicably ranked third in the USA Today Coaches Poll, has just one win against a team that was ranked when they played, No. 21 Georgia Tech. The 8-4 Yellow Jackets fell out of the rankings after their 37-26 loss to the Hokies.
It's hard to imagine LSU falling more than one spot in the BCS standings if it loses the SEC-title game, because the Tigers would still have the best resume among one-loss teams, by far and away.
LSU actually could lose that game and, with good reason, still retain its top position in the standings. Most likely, however, No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama would just switch spots.
Even if Oklahoma State were to beat No. 10 Oklahoma on Saturday in Stillwater, the Cowboys would have little to no chance of moving up in the standings and displacing either Alabama or LSU, even if LSU loses to Georgia.
Oklahoma State is ranked fifth in the Harris and USA Today polls and has an average computer ranking of three. The Cowboys' BCS average is .8712; Alabama's is .9551; and LSU's is 1.000. They simply have too much ground to make up.
Like it or not, LSU versus Alabama for the national crown is pretty much a done deal, and it should be.
The Unbalanced Line has never been a fan of the BCS system for determining the national-title matchup, and would much prefer an eight- or even 12-team playoff.
But the Line also has no issue with a 'Bama-LSU rematch in the title game. The current BCS format is designed to select the two best teams for its championship game, and these are clearly the two best.
It'll probably be another low-scoring slugfest, and for those who appreciate a good defensive game, it'll be as good as it gets.
LSU and Alabama have the two best defenses this season -- and they have two of the best in modern times.
It's a fitting championship game any way you cut it.
Same could be said for the rematch in the Big 10 championship game on Saturday between No. 13 Michigan State and No. 15 Wisconsin. The Spartans won the first meeting, 37-31, with a 44-yard Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game.
The Unbalanced Line's call: Badgers get revenge, 42-31.
There also could be a reversal of fortune in the ACC-championship-game rematch between No. 5 Virginia Tech (11-1) and No. 20 Clemson (9-3). Clemson dominated in the first meeting, 23-3 at Virginia.
But in Illinois-like fashion, the Tigers have collapsed, losing three of their last four games decisively and barely escaping Wake Forest, 31-28.
The call: Virginia Tech, 27-17.
(Contact John Tucker at jtucker(at)unionleader.com)
Must credit New Hampshire Union LeaderColumn
