BCS Rankings 2010: Predicting The BCS Standings After Week 8

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The initial BCS standings surprised few; the Oregons, Boise States and Auburns of the college football universe sit calmly in the Top 5.

The supreme spot, however, belongs to...Oklahoma? The Sooners, ranked No. 3 in the Coaches Poll, claimed the prized No. 1 ranking with a top-rated strength of schedule.

Those narrow wins over Utah State, Air Force and Cincinnati? Ancient history.

But with nearly two months of pre-bowl football remaining, no team's BCS position is secure...and the juggling among the Top 10 is sure to both scare and soothe fans of those fortunate enough to be worthy of BCS consideration.

While it's difficult to reconstruct the BCS without extensive schooling at MIT and psychic abilities, here is a crystal ball glimpse into the BCS Top 10 after this week's games, many of which are ranked-versus-ranked matchups.

Current BCS Standings

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• 1. Oklahoma .9215


• 2. Oregon .8921


• 3. Boise State .8898


• 4. Auburn .8641


• 5. TCU .8573


• 6. LSU .8245


• 7. Michigan State .7628


• 8. Alabama .6654


• 9. Utah .6540


• 10. Ohio State .5726


• 11. Missouri .5491


• 12. Stanford .5374


• 13. Wisconsin .5335


• 14. Oklahoma State .5261


• 15. Iowa .4824


• 16. Nebraska .4295


• 17. Florida State .4267


• 18. Arizona .3807


• 19. Texas .2214


• 20. West Virginia .1812


• 21. South Carolina .1555


• 22. Kansas State .1422


• 23. Arkansas .1302


• 24. Mississippi State .1253


• 25. Virginia Tech .0658

10. Nebraska

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Current Record

5-1, 1-1 Big 12

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 16

 

This Week's Opponent

at No. 14 Oklahoma State (6-0, 2-0 Big 12)

 

Week 8 Effect

A win at undefeated Oklahoma State could vault the Huskers into the BCS Top 10. And with a potential Big 12 title matchup with Oklahoma looming, a clean slate from this point forward means Nebraska plays in a BCS bowl.

A national championship? Not impossible, but highly unlikely; many teams would have to fall for the Cornhuskers to reach No. 2 in the BCS.

9. Iowa

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Current Record

5-1, 2-0 Big Ten

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 15

 

Opponent

vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten)

 

Week 8 Effect

A victory over a No. 13 Wisconsin team that just last week beat then-No. 1 Ohio State has the potential to skyrocket the Hawkeyes to No. 9.

Iowa also has Michigan State and Ohio State remaining on the schedule, so if the Hawks run the table, a championship shot is possible...with some help, of course.

8. Ohio State

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Current Record

6-1, 2-1 Big Ten

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 10

 

Opponent

vs. Purdue (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten)

 

Week 8 Effect

A victory over an improving Purdue squad will have a bit of clout, but a significant move in the BCS is unlikely.

And with only one more game versus a ranked opponent—Iowa—the Buckeyes' best hope is probably the Rose Bowl, not a national championship.

7. Alabama

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Current Record

6-1, 3-1 SEC

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 8

 

Opponent

at Tennessee (2-4, 0-3 SEC)

 

Week 8 Effect

A win over a poor Volunteers squad in Week 8 won't do much for the Tide, so they should stay near their current No. 8 BCS ranking.

If, however, Alabama beats future ranked foes LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn—and wins the SEC Championship Game—a BCS title shot in January is within reach, especially if a few higher-ups drop a game. 

6. Michigan State

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Current Record

7-0, 3-0 Big Ten

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 7

 

Opponent

at Northwestern (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten)

 

Week 8 Effect

If the Spartans continue their roll and beat a solid Northwestern team, a slight move up the BCS standings is a given.

And considering Michigan State handed Wisconsin its only loss, a Badger victory over Iowa will also assist Sparty's rise.

5. TCU

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Current Record

7-0, 3-0 MWC

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 5

 

Opponent

vs. Air Force (5-2, 3-1 MWC)

 

Week 8 Effect

A win versus previously ranked Air Force would help TCU's cause, but not enough to leapfrog any of the top four.

A future date with No. 9 Utah awaits. Until then, the Horned Frogs will be in a BCS holding pattern.

4. Boise State

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Current Record

6-0, 2-0 WAC

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 3

 

Opponent

vs. Louisiana Tech (3-4, 2-1 WAC)

 

Week 8 Effect

A beatdown of Louisiana Tech will do little for Boise State. Couple the weak opponent with an Auburn victory over No. 6 LSU, and the Broncos fall one spot to No. 4.

BSU's best hope from here on out is to trample every opponent and hope Virginia Tech and Oregon State—Boise's top victims—win out as well.

3. Oregon

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Current Record

6-0, 3-0 Pac-10

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 2

 

Opponent

vs. UCLA (3-3, 1-2 Pac-10)

 

Week 8 Effect

A win against a so-so Bruins team won't affect Oregon much. An Auburn victory over LSU, however, might drop the Ducks below the War Eagle.

Have no fear, though; future dates with USC, Arizona and Oregon State could help the "O" climb back into one of the championship slots.

2. Auburn

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Current Record

7-0, 4-0 SEC

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 4

 

Opponent

vs. No. 6 LSU (7-0, 4-0 SEC)

 

Week 8 Effect

Auburn could script the most influential BCS statement with a win over No. 6 LSU.

And, in the end, if the Tigers finish undefeated—Auburn would have to beat four ranked teams from this point forward to do so—they WILL be in the BCS National Championship Game, regardless of how other teams finish.

1. Oklahoma

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Current Record

6-0, 2-0 Big 12

 

Current BCS Standing

No. 1

 

Opponent

at No. 11 Missouri (6-0, 2-0 Big 12)

 

Week 8 Effect

A victory at No. 11 Missouri will help the Sooners remain atop the BCS standings.

And, like Auburn, an undefeated Oklahoma squad plays in the national title game...no questions asked.