BCS Rankings Week 12: Who's Overrated and Underrated in Latest BCS Poll?
BCS Rankings Week 12 are up and ready for us to dissect.
Every week it seems there is one team that falls from the good graces of the top 10. This week, that did not happen. In fact, there was no movement at all in the top 10. That does not mean that BCS and its infinite wisdom are correct.
On the contrary, there is a lot I think is wrong with the recent standings. Here, I will break down who is overrated and who is underrated. Feel free to send death threats in the comments section.
10. Oklahoma State: Overrated
1 of 10
Looking at the top 25, I can already see two schools I would much rather have in the top 10 other than Oklahoma State.
My issue is the Cowboys have had a relatively soft schedule. If the Cowboys had to face what Alabama or Michigan State have had to face, they would be a three-loss team.
After going 6-0 to start the season, the Cowboys were never tested until they faced Nebraska. It was their first and last formidable opponent, and they lost.
You may include Baylor as a tough team, but as we learned, they may have been playing well above their heads.
9. Ohio State University: Underrated
2 of 10
Ohio State has been doing their best to make a case that they deserve back into the top 10. Since their loss to Wisconsin on Oct. 16, they have put together some impressive outings.
Not only have the Buckeyes been impressive, but Terrelle Pryor is attempting to make pundits remember his name. Since their loss to the Badgers, Pryor has thrown for over 600 yards and seven touchdowns. If the Buckeyes are to get back into the race, they need to be led by Pryor. That seems to be happening.
The only thing missing from the equation is tough opponents. You can only beat up bad teams for so long. So, I think it is great timing for OSU to have a statement game at No. 20 Iowa. A tough away win will go a long way to bring the critics back to fawning over OSU.
8. Nebraska: Overrated
3 of 10
I consider Nebraska overrated by the slimmest of margins. I could easily fit OSU into the No. 8 spot and still be able to sleep at night. There is just something amiss about having the Cornhuskers above Ohio State.
That nagging poke has to be the loss they suffered at the hands of Texas. Nebraska already had a fairly nice schedule. But the further Texas slinks into oblivion, the more I think about that loss.
Some might say Texas was motivated by the big game that day. Well, I say look at their record and tell me where you find motivation from that program. Texas lost two games before Nebraska, then they lost four after.
Like I stated earlier: This may be nitpicking but when you are dissecting the top 10 schools in the nation, every little bit matters. Nebraska's loss to Texas is arguably the worst loss any top-10 team has suffered this season.
7. Wisconsin: Underrated
4 of 10
I already liked Wisconsin. I had them as one of the best teams, as their only loss came at the hands of Michigan State. The Spartans were, at the time, one of the hottest teams in the country and the Badgers had to travel to the unfriendly confines of their stadium.
But since then, Wisconsin has been playing much like I and every other college football fan knew they could play. They are tough on defense, while being just as hard-nosed on offense. Their running attack is a ground-and-pound effort led by junior John Clay.
Then came this Saturday. The Badgers showed that they are greater than one superstar running back. With Clay on the sidelines due to injury, the Badgers had one of the most offensively prolific games in school history.
Backup running back Montee Ball had three touchdowns. Scott Tolzien also made his presence known by throwing three touchdowns of his own. At the end of the day, Wisconsin showed they are deep...scary deep.
6. Stanford: Overrated
5 of 10
I had been begging for Stanford to make an entrance into the top 10. My wish was granted a week ago, albeit at a higher number than I thought they deserved. Then came their bout with Pac-10 nobody Arizona State this weekend.
The Cardinal struggled against one of the worst teams in their conference. That shakiness confirmed what I felt a week ago. This team is top-10 material. They just shouldn't be this close to the Top Five.
The Cardinal looked slow against Arizona State. They had trouble running around the defense, as Arizona State's impressive unit swarmed them.
On top of that, Heisman candidate Andrew Luck looked subpar. I know a couple of teams in the No. 7 and No. 9 slots that would have dispatched the Sun Devils easily.
5. LSU: Underrated
6 of 10
The Tigers' only loss is to No. 2 Auburn. If that were not enough, their schedule has demanded that they play five ranked opponents.
Watching LSU this year, I can safely say they are the most tested team in the nation. They could easily go toe-to-toe with any of the top four teams.
That being said, I also believe the Tigers have something that the other teams don't: a consistent defensive effort.
Weekly, the Tigers show that they take great pride on that side of the ball. It is the one weapon that makes them different and will hopefully come into play at the end of the year.
4. Boise State: Underrated
7 of 10
Boise State is better than TCU. There, I said it.
I just can't understand how the Broncos could murder Idaho and not get any credit for it. I understand they moved up in points, but TCU had such a bad game defensively that they deserved to be taken down a rung.
More than that, Boise State has had a harder schedule. Granted, TCU outmatched No. 5 Utah, but since then we have found that Utah was a pretender all along.
Boise State has had to go through two ranked opponents. They also stifled the very powerful Hawaii air attack. They are great on both side of the ball and should be rewarded accordingly.
3. TCU: Overrated
8 of 10
Well, I guess I just told you how I feel about TCU. I do have to say that I feel bad for the Horned Frogs just as much as I do for Boise State.
One of these teams will be on the outside looking in during bowl season, and that is utterly reprehensible. Both teams are solid top to bottom.
The one saving grace I thought that TCU had was their game against Utah. It was the answer they had about their strength of schedule.
But just as I thought, Utah was a sorry team that got fat on bad opponents. There is no mistaking that Andy Dalton and crew are bowl-ready. I just think that Boise State is more so.
2. Auburn: Underrated
9 of 10
Well, you get what you pay for. Regardless of whether Auburn paid for Cam Newton's services, the kid is good.
It is hard enough to play at a high level under the glare of a national title race. But Cam Newton has also had to perform under the microscope of the Heisman's watchful eye.
But this past week, another hurdle was placed at his feet. He is been accused of taking money, or at the very least asking to be paid to play.
Cam Newton showed his mettle as he led his team to victory despite the allegations. Auburn is a team under investigation, yet they still manage to dominate on the field. That is impressive.
1. Oregon: Overrated
10 of 10
Oregon almost dropped an embarrassing game to Cal. Every team will get tested—it just so happens that this near-loss opened up some glaring inadequacies in the Oregon game.
For one, the Cal defense suffered at the hands of the quick-feed Oregon offense. The Ducks only take about 15 seconds in between snaps and it is the main reason they are so good at the end of the game.
Their opponents' defense often putters out. But against a tougher, more seasoned defense like LSU or Auburn, the tactic would be nullified.
Their run game was also highlighted. Oregon has lived by the production on the ground by Heisman hopeful LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas. On Saturday, a usually porous Cal defense showed that they can be stopped.
Also, Oregon likes to run the same play twice. Once the other team understands that, the Ducks become susceptible. This weekend, Oregon looked like a very beatable team.
.jpg?w=600 "Could Leafs Trade for McDavid in 2027? 🤔")
