Projected BCS Rankings 2011: Updated Predictions for Oct. 16

Everyone is eagerly anticipating the first official BCS rankings, which will be released tomorrow, but we're going to have to wait and see how today's games play out so we can really get an accurate read before we try to forecast the first standings. 

A bunch of the top teams will head out on the road this weekend and there are a few potential upsets lurking. 

If everything goes according to plan, though, then the rankings shouldn't be too surprising. 

Here's a look at how I predict the first BCS rankings will look tomorrow. 

The Top 10

1. LSU Tigers

It’s easy to say that LSU has the strongest resume out of any team in college football right now.

The Tigers already have four wins over ranked teams, three of those wins coming away from home.

Even though Mississippi State has taken a slide, Les Miles’ crew still has victories over Oregon, West Virginia and Florida to brag about.

They’ve also got respected opponents like Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas remaining on the docket.

If the Tigers take care of business at Tennessee today, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be the No. 1 team in the first BCS rankings.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

It’s obvious that if Alabama beats LSU, wins the SEC championship and runs the table that the Tide will make it to New Orleans for the big game.

But where will Alabama be ranked in the initial BCS standings, No. 1 or No. 2?

With wins over Penn State, Arkansas, and Florida, who were all ranked when the Tide beat them, it’s easy to make a case for the Tide to be No. 1.

Whether Alabama is one or two, it really won’t matter, though, because all Nick Saban’s team has to do is keep winning and they’ll find their way to the title game no matter what.

3. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma’s win over Florida State back in Week 3 has been decreasing in value since the Seminoles dropped their next two after falling to the Sooners.

But the Sooners did pick up a nice resume booster with last week's dominating showing at the Cotton Bowl.

The 55-17 obliteration of Texas certainly solidifies Bob Stoops’ squad as a true title contender.

We’re going to have to wait until the final week of the season to see what this team is really made of, though.

Sure, Kansas State, Baylor and Texas A&M might give the Sooners their best shot, but it’s the Bedlam game against Oklahoma State on Dec. 3 that’s really going to determine if this team is headed to the big dance or not.

Oklahoma hasn’t done enough to overtake either LSU or Alabama in the initial BCS rankings just yet.

The Sooners aren’t too far behind, though, and as long as they keep winning, they’ll stay on pace to make it to New Orleans.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys

It was nice to see Oklahoma State put up a 70 spot on Kansas last weekend. But remember, it’s just Kansas.

Putting up 70 on the Jayhawks is like putting up 40 on an average college defense.

At this point, the only real win of note that the Cowboys have on their resume is a come from behind victory at Texas A&M, but that will change in the coming weeks.

Texas is on tap today and Missouri, Baylor and Kansas State are all waiting around the corner and let’s not forget about that little matchup with Oklahoma at the end of the year.

If Mike Gundy can get his team to December unscathed, they will likely control their own destiny in the showcase game with the Sooners.

5. Boise State Broncos

Boise State’s opening-season win over Georgia looks a little better now that the Bulldogs have rallied to win four-straight games, but still, what other victory is there to get excited about?

Yay, you went out and embarrassed Fresno State again, what is that supposed to do for me?

I’ve seen this story already.

I like the Broncos. I think they’re a well-coached group and you have to respect all that they’ve accomplished recently.

But, the whole "let’s get a big win early and then cruise the rest of the way" thing isn’t going to fly this year.

College football is too top-heavy this season.

Boise State has a great shot to run the table, but getting people to care is a whole different challenge all together.

6. Wisconsin Badgers

Let me say this, I really like this Wisconsin team and I believe QB Russell Wilson has to be on the short list for Heisman contenders, but let’s be honest, Wisconsin’s September schedule was an absolute joke.

Wisconsin has been notorious for scheduling soft September slates and this year was no different.

UNLV, Oregon State, Northern Illinois and South Dakota?

Come on Badgers! When LSU’s out there playing Oregon, Alabama’s taking a trip up to Happy Valley and Oklahoma’s heading down to Tallahassee, you have got to do better than that with your non-conference schedule.

I know you probably expected Oregon State to be better when you initially scheduled the game, but that’s pathetic.

The dominating win over Nebraska certainly helps, but this team still has a lot to prove in conference play.

If they run the table and beat Michigan State, Ohio State and Illinois on the road, then you can start putting them in the same breath as the big three.

Until then, the computers are not going to look favorably on that early schedule.

7. Clemson Tigers

I've been asking this a lot recently, but I like to repeat myself, so I’ll ask it again.

How is Boise State ranked ahead of Clemson?

Boise State has one win over a ranked opponent, Clemson has three.

What formula are we using here, folks?

If Boise State is ranked ahead of Clemson in the first BCS rankings, which will probably be the case, there’s simply no way to justify that.

Outside of LSU and Alabama, this Clemson team has the strongest resume out of any of the Top 10 teams in college football, yet they’re probably the least-respected and appreciated.

It’s not their fault that the voters were neglectful and failed to put them in the preseason Top 25, but the Tigers don’t seem to care.

They just simply keep going out there getting the job done on a routine basis and they continue to work their way up the college football food chain.

Clemson has a tricky game against Maryland tonight, but if the Tigers can survive, they should have no problem cracking the Top 10 of tomorrow’s rankings.

8. Stanford Cardinal

I know Andrew Luck is great and all, but to be perfectly honest, if I were quarterbacking for the Cardinal this season, they would in all likelihood still be 5-0 at this point.

San Jose State, Duke, Arizona, UCLA and Colorado?

What’s impressive about any of those teams?

Stanford has three notable games left on its schedule against USC, Oregon and Notre Dame.

However, with zero wins over ranked opponents, there’s just no way to accurately judge this team yet.

Stanford might just be college football’s biggest mystery team.

9. Oregon Ducks

Oregon took a big punch to the gut when star running back LaMichael James went down with an elbow injury late in a blowout victory over Cal last week, but the Ducks still have plenty of offensive firepower to get the job done. 

The Ducks host No. 18 Arizona State tonight in what should be the best Pac-12 game of the season so far. 

If Chip Kelly's team can survive without its top dog, Stanford is the only other team on the schedule that can challenge the Ducks for Pac-12 supremacy.

10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech will take their powerful triple option attack to Virginia today and if the Yellow Jackets can run past the Cavaliers, they may very well run all the way into the Top 10 of the BCS standings.

It should be interesting to see which surprise team jumps in when the rankings are finally released and Georgia Tech has a strong shot to be that team. 

Paul Johnson's crew is 6-0, coming into today, and they've got one of the most powerful offenses in the country. 

Don't be surprised if Georgia Tech makes a run all the way to the ACC Championship Game. 

The Rest

11. Arkansas Razorbacks

12. West Virginia Mountaineers

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers

14. South Carolina Gamecocks

15. Illinois Fighting Illini

16. Michigan State Spartans

17. Kansas State Wildcats

18. Virginia Tech Hokies

19. Texas A&M Aggies

20. Michigan Wolverines

21. Auburn Tigers

22. Arizona State Sun Devils

23. Houston Cougars

24. Baylor Bears

25. Washington Huskies