College Football Week 11: Ranking Every FBS Conference

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Week 11 is the smoldering aftermath for teams like Alabama, and the silver lining for teams like Houston.

The past week further weeded out the weak from the strong and moving forward, it only gets harder. 

Here are my rankings for the conferences for Week 11—and believe me, it was a lot harder this week than I had anticipated. 

1. Big 12

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Ho-hum, the Cowboys win another shoot-out. QB Brandon Weeden threw for a season high 502 yards in the victory over Kansas State. With Alabama’s loss, Oklahoma State is now No. 2 in the BCS—the game against Oklahoma should be for a spot in the National Championship game.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Oklahoma State
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Kansas State
• Baylor
• Texas A&M
• Texas Tech
• Iowa State
• Missouri
• Kansas

2. SEC

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In the game of the century, LSU’s defense made the plays when it needed to as they defeated Alabama 9-6 in overtime. The Tigers’ special teams might have been the difference in a game that gives LSU the inside track to the BCS National Championship Game.

Here's how the teams rank:

• LSU
• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Georgia
• South Carolina
• Auburn
• Florida
• Mississippi State
• Vanderbilt
• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Ole Miss

3. Big 10

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While the Nittany Lions are the only undefeated Big 10 team left, the stunning news out of Happy Valley overshadows everything. Can they remain focused for their remaining schedule of Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin?

Here's how the teams rank:

• Penn State
• Michigan State
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• Nebraska
• Ohio State
• Iowa
• Illinois
• Northwestern
• Purdue
• Minnesota
• Indiana 

4. Pac-12

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Coming off the USC thriller and the Pac-12 game of the century a week before, the Cardinal put in a workman-like effort, beating Oregon State 38-13. Palo Alto will welcome ESPN’s Gameday crew this Saturday.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Stanford
• Oregon
• USC
• ASU
• Washington
• UCLA
• Cal
• Utah
• Oregon State
• Washington State
• Arizona
• Colorado

5. ACC

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The bye couldn’t have come at a better time for Clemson after its 31-17 loss to Georgia Tech. The Tigers can still win out and represent the ACC in the BCS.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Clemson
• Virginia Tech
• Georgia Tech
• Florida State
• Miami
• Virginia
• Wake Forest
• North Carolina State
• North Carolina
• Duke
• Maryland
• Boston College

6. Big East

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With its second straight three-point win, the Bearcats are sitting pretty in the Big East. QB Zach Collaros keeps making big plays when he needs to.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Cincinnati
• Rutgers
• West Virginia
• Louisville
• Connecticut
• Syracuse
• Pittsburgh
• South Florida

7. Conference USA

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QB Case Keenum set the all-time NCAA passing yardage record in the Cougars' 56-13 thrashing of UAB. Keenum ONLY went 39-44 for 407 yards, and Houston is quietly climbing into the BCS picture.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Houston
• Southern Miss
• SMU
• Tulsa
• East Carolina
• Marshall
• Central Florida
• UTEP
• Rice
• Tulane
• UAB

8. Mountain West

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The Mountain West Championship should be decided this week as Boise State hosts TCU. QB Kellen Moore will be the key if the Broncos are to claim the victory.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Boise State
• TCU
• Wyoming
• San Diego State
• Air Force
• Colorado State
• UNLV
• New Mexico

9. MAC

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In perhaps the most explosive game of the season, Northern Illinois barely defeated Toledo 63-60, cementing the Huskies’ lead in the MAC West.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Northern Illinois
• Toledo
• Ball State
• Ohio
• Temple
• Eastern Michigan
• Western Michigan
• Miami OH
• Bowling Green
• Kent State
• Central Michigan
• Buffalo
• Akron

10. Independents

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The Fighting Irish won a hard-fought game on the road, defeating Wake Forest 24-17. Notre Dame should win the next two games before its final-game showdown at Stanford.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Notre Dame
• BYU
• Navy
• Army

11. WAC

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The Wolf Pack are positioned to take home the WAC title—if they can beat Hawaii and Louisiana Tech at home over the next two weekends.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Nevada
• Louisiana Tech
• Hawaii
• Fresno State
• San Jose State
• Utah State
• New Mexico State
• Idaho

12. Sun Belt

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The Red Wolves are off to their best start through eight games since 1986. The showdown for the Sun Belt Title will be this weekend as Arkansas State hosts the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

Here's how the teams rank:

• Arkansas State
• Louisiana-Lafayette
• Western Kentucky
• Florida International
• North Texas
• Middle Tennessee State
• Louisiana-Monroe
• Troy
• Florida Atlantic