LSU
The last five BCS National Champions have hailed from the SEC, and I believe the Louisiana State Tigers will make it six consecutive years.
They have all the ingredients necessary to win the BCS National Championship in strong defense, good coaching and an explosive offense.
In week one, LSU faced off against last season’s BCS National Championship runner-up, the Oregon Ducks. Oregon featured an offense that averaged 47 points a game last season, and its defense never allowed more than 32 points. However, LSU stifled the Ducks’ offense, and the Tigers scored 40 points to put a damper on Oregon’s title hopes.
Oregon’s running back LaMichael James ran for at least 90 yards in all but one game last season. LSU shut the Heisman contender down to 54 yards rushing, showing that LSU’s defense is a force to be reckoned with.
Coach Les Miles is entering his seventh season with LSU and he has led them to a 66-17 record, including a 2007 National Championship victory and four top-ten finishes.
On offense, the Tigers have scored 89 points in two games, and feature an explosive combination with senior quarterback Jarrett Lee and running backs Michael Ford and Spencer Ware.
LSU won the 2007 National Championship with this formula, and they will hoist the BCS trophy at the end of this season.
-Bobby Nightengale
Boise State
Pound for pound the best team in the college football isn’t who most would expect.
They aren’t in the SEC or even the other major conferences. They aren’t one of the first teams that come to mind when you think of college football powers.
The best team in the nation are the Boise State Broncos.
No. 4 Boise State has been knocking on the door of the BCS National Championship game for several years. This season, the Broncos finally have what it takes to get over the hump.
Led by senior quarterback and Heisman candidate Kellen Moore, Boise State is already 1-0 on the season with an opening weekend win over No. 19 Georgia in the Georgia Dome.
Boise State is loaded on both sides of the ball. D.J. Harper and Doug Martin give the team a strong running attack and wide receivers Matt Miller and Kyle Efaw give Moore targets in the passing game.
The Broncos’ Harper and Martin rushed for over 100 yards to go along with Moore’s three touchdowns through the air in the victory over Georia.
Also, the Broncos defense is stout, holding the Bulldogs to just 21 points.
With its biggest test of the season out of the way, Boise State will be favored to win all of its remaining games. If this happens, they should find themselves in the National Championship game.
-Alex Ross
