Alabama and Oregon are still the top contenders for the National Championship. That hasn't changed (and we don't expect it to for quite some time). Still, there's a team that dropped their season opener who we think would make the national title game if they won out.
#6 Georgia has played three top-10 teams in their first four games. After dropping their season opener to Clemson (who were #8 at the time, but are now up to #3) by just 3 points, the Dawgs turned around and beat #6 South Carolina the next weekend. After rolling over North Texas, their fourth game of the year came against #6 LSU, and they took care of business once again, winning a 44-41 thriller.
Georgia's only remaining ranked opponent is #18 Florida on November 2nd, and the reeling Gators (who face Arkansas, LSU and Mizzou between now and then) could very easily be out of the top 25 by then. It looks like the Dawgs could roll through the rest of their season without taking another loss, which would set up a tantalizing SEC Championship showdown against that team from Tuscaloosa...
BCS Championship Game Prediction headed into week 6:
Alabama vs. Oregon
Nothing new here...the Crimson Tide took time to get going against Ole Miss last weekend, but a defensive shutout made sure the Rebels never had a sniff. Oregon scored at least 55 points for the fourth straight game, crushing Cal in another comprehensive blowout.
On the outside looking in:
#3: Clemson
Tajh Boyd is the real deal. Boyd is a legitimate Heisman candidate after his virtuoso performance against Wake Forest, and the Tigers are coming together impressively on both sides of the ball.
Clemson shouldn't face a real test until Florida State comes to town on October 19th, and the showdown between Boyd and freshman sensation Jameis Winston is going to be can't-miss television.
#4: Ohio State
The Buckeyes had to work against #23 Wisconsin, but a poised performance from Braxton Miller (who had missed the last three games with an MCL sprain) made sure Ohio State had enough breathing room to pull out the win. Carlos Hyde is also back at full strength after his three-game suspension, and the Buckeyes have by far the most formidable offense in the Big 10.
If Urban Meyer's boys can play mistake-free football over the rest of the season, the BCS committee will have an incredibly hard time keeping them out of the national title game.
#5: Stanford
Despite the customary lack of attention and respect Stanford has grown used to by now, David Shaw's team is quietly taking care of business in the Pac-12. This Saturday's game against the #15 Washington Huskies is going to be a tough test, but the Cardinal are nothing if not studious. Washington is a very good team, but this far from Stanford's most important matchup.
The game that makes or breaks this season for the Cardinal is the November 2nd showdown against Oregon. The #2 Ducks will travel to Palo Alto, and Stanford's defense will need to show the country how elite they really are. If Stanford takes down Oregon and wins out, a trip to the title game should be in their future.
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