Every Top 25 College Football Team's Biggest Flaw

When a team enters the Top 25 of the BCS rankings, they instantly garner respect as the elite of the college football nation. While this often holds true, we cannot confuse ourselves into believing that they are flawless units that win by virtue of their all-around brilliance.

Rarely does that actually prove to be true.

Each and every one of the Top 25 teams in the latest BCS rankings are flawed. Whether visible to the statistical eye or not, each team has a flaw that could potentially derail its dreams of maintaining a Top 25 ranking.

So what must the Top 25 teams in the nation fix before it's too late?

25. Washington Huskies

BCS Ranking: No. 25

2012-13 W-L Record: 6-4, 4-3 Pac-12

Biggest Flaw: Pass Rush

Is anyone else shocked at the fact that the 6-4 Washington Huskies have entered the BCS rankings? Considering their past two victories have come over the 3-8 California Golden Bears and 4-6 Utah Utes, you should be.

But I digress.

The Huskies are a team laced with talent. Although underachieving, Keith Price is one of the premier quarterbacks in the nation. Behind him is a top-tier running back in Bishop Sankey.

Having Kasen Williams and Austin Seferian-Jenkins to throw to certainly doesn't hurt either.

Unfortunately, their pass game is just as strong as their pass rush is weak. For those who'd like to debate that fact, check their rank of 78th in the nation with 17.0 sacks on the season.

As a result of this poor pressure, the Huskies are letting up an average of 22.0 points per game. That ranks them 97th in the nation and has forced them into a 41-3 loss against LSU, 52-21 against Oregon and 52-17 against Arizona.

But they're in the BCS rankings. Is that so?

24. Oklahoma State Cowboys

BCS Ranking: No. 24

2012-13 W-L Record: 6-3, 4-2 Big 12 

Biggest Flaw: Pass Defense

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are an offensive powerhouse whose three losses have all come against quality opponents in Texas, Kansas State and Arizona.

Much like the Washington Huskies, their offensive talent carries quite the heavy burden because of their shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball. Specifically against the pass.

Oklahoma State ranks 71th in the nation in sacks, 95th in interceptions and 98th in total pass yards allowed per game. While it certainly helps to have offensive options such as Joseph Randle and Josh Stewart, there is no way around how poorly the OK State pass defense has performed.

Take away an 84-0 victory over FCS school Savannah State, and the Cowboys are allowing 30.0 points per game. A number that would rank them 80th in the nation.

With that shutout, they're still allowing 26.7 points per game, which ranks 60th.

As stated, the Cowboys' offense is strong enough to counter their defensive deficiencies. When they've faced the elite teams in the Big 12, however, there's a reason they're 0-2.

They are helpless against the pass.

23. Texas Tech Red Raiders

BCS Ranking: No. 23

2012-13 W-L Record: 7-3, 4-3 Big 12

Biggest Flaw: Run Defense

In a break from the norm, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are actually excellent against the pass. Despite coming up with just 13.0 sacks per game, they rank 11th in the nation by letting up an average of 172.3 yards through the air.

A number that ranks them 11th in the nation.

Where they fall short, however, is against the run. Through their first 10 games of the season, they're allowing 152.3 yards per game off the rush.

That number ranks 57th in the nation. It is also a reason they fell to the Oklahoma Sooners, Kansas State Wildcats and Texas Longhorns.

In those three games, they allowed an average of 2.3 touchdowns per game.

As the Red Raiders move forward, they'll be tested in both phases of their defensive game. Against Oklahoma State this Saturday, they'll be facing an elite offensive attack which is led by running back Joseph Randle and quarterback Clint Chelf.

If they can't defend the run, they won't win their final two games.

22. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

BCS Ranking: No. 22

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-1, 4-0 Big East 

Biggest Flaw: Quarterback Play

Fans of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will claim that Gary Nova is an underrated commodity. The truth of the matter is, Nova is a player ridden with upside but lacks the consistency to lead the team as far as they deserve to be.

With an elite defense, the Scarlet Knights should be undefeated. Losses like they experienced against Kent State happen, but Nova's six interception outing never should.

Nova's inconsistency is the reason they've had to pull away in the fourth quarter of games. With a defense like theirs, games should be over before they have been.

As for why, Nova has thrown for less than 200 yards in five separate games this season. He's also thrown nine of his 18 touchdowns in two games.

He's also thrown just one touchdown in five separate games. Until there is a greater level of consistency at quarterback, Rutgers will be limited in the respect they garner.

Quite the unfortunate truth considering how masterful a job first-year coach Kyle Flood has done.

21. Michigan Wolverines

BCS Ranking: No. 21

2012-13 W-L Record: 7-3, 5-1 Big Ten

Biggest Flaw: Who's at Quarterback?

According to Mark Snyder of The Detroit Free Press, Denard Robinson could miss Michigan's Senior Day game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. In turn, junior Devin Gardner would be forced to step in for the third consecutive week.

Forgive me for my skepticism, Gardner fans, but how are we supposed to believe in a quarterback who has started two games?

With or without Gardner, the Wolverines' pass game has been dismal. Thus far this season, Michigan ranks 101st in pass yards per game with a mere 189.2.

Such a one-dimensional offensive attack is exactly why the team has surprisingly lost three games.

Although Gardner is averaging 260.0 yards per game on his own, he's also completing just 59.6 percent of his passes. He's a legitimate game-changer, but is Gardner ready to lead Michigan against Iowa and the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes?

Although impressive early, OSU is a different animal for Gardner to handle. If Robinson is not available against the Buckeyes, we could see an abrupt ending to a horrendous passing season from Michigan.

Fortunately for the U of M, Robinson missing his final showdown with Ohio State can be written off as an impossibility.

Who would have thought that the No. 1 pass defense would be brought down by an inability to score points?

20. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

BCS Ranking: No. 20

2012-13 W-L Record: 9-1, 4-0 WAC

Biggest Flaw: Defense

Statistically speaking, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs are the most statistically impressive offensive team in the nation.

Why do I say that? Check the numbers.

Quarterback Colby Cameron has thrown for 27 touchdowns and zero interceptions. That's no interceptions through 10 games of the season, folks, which even Alabama's A.J. McCarron could not achieve.

As for their run game, freshman Kenneth Dixon leads the nation with 24 touchdowns. LT opponents are singing the praises of one of the worst defenses in the nation.

Through all of their offensive brilliance, the Bulldogs rank 111th in the nation in points allowed per game. They also rank 123rd in the nation by allowing 505.7 total yards per game, which is rather shocking considering they play in the WAC.

A conference that no longer has the likes of Boise State or Hawaii.

With a flawless quarterback and a scoring machine at running back, Louisiana Tech is close to unstoppable. Their only loss of the season was a 59-57 heart-breaker against Johnny Football and Texas A&M.

Maybe if their defense existed for even one play, they wouldn't have said problems.

19. Louisville Cardinals

BCS Ranking: No. 19

2012-13 W-L Record: 9-1, 4-1 Big East

Biggest Flaw: Pounding the Rock

Prior to and after the Louisville Cardinals' 45-26 loss at Syracuse, one might be inclined to single out the Cardinals' pass defense. As of one devastating play, however, the Cardinals have lost one of their greatest weapons.

Running back Senorise Perry.

Per a report via Matt Fortuna of ESPN.com, Perry will miss the remainder of the season with a torn left ACL. As a result, Louisville will be without its leading rusher as it faces a tough Connecticut squad and the No. 22 Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

With all due respect to junior Jeremy Wright, that eliminates the run threat for the Cardinals.

Subtract Wright's three games with at least 100 yards, and he's gone for 361 yards and four touchdowns on 96 rushes. That's an average of just 3.8 yards per carry, which includes Wright's 10 carries for 29 yards against Syracuse.

Consider the run game neutralized in Louisville, Kentucky.

18. USC Trojans

BCS Ranking: No. 18

2012-13 W-L Record: 7-3, 5-3 Pac-12

Biggest Flaw: Run Defense

Through the first six weeks of the season, the USC defensive line had tallied 18.5 sacks. In the four weeks since then, USC's core four of Morgan Breslin, Wes Horton, Leonard Williams and George Uko has only picked up 7.0 sacks.

That's a decline from 3.1 to 1.8 sacks per game. So where has the USC pass rush gone?

This may not be the answer you'd expect to hear, but it has been lost due to its porous run defense.

Thus far this season, USC ranks 48th in the nation by allowing 148.3 yards per game on the ground. In two of their past three games, the Trojans have allowed Arizona to tally 219 and Oregon to put up 426.

The statistical balance was created when they held Arizona State to just 71 yards on the ground. With that being said, just 16 of the Sun Devils' attempts came from running backs.

Don't expect it to get any easier for USC over the final two weeks as it plays Johnathan Franklin of the UCLA Bruins and Notre Dame's well-balanced run game.

If the Trojans to continue to be inept against the run, they will build upon this string of two losses in three games. If they can turn it around, however, USC could show the world why it was the preseason No. 1.

17. UCLA Bruins

BCS Ranking: No. 17

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-2, 5-2 Pac-12 

Biggest Flaw: Pass Defense

Seeing a trend in the bottom chain of the Top 25? Defense is quite rare.

Through their first 10 games, the UCLA Bruins rank 106th in pass defense. They're allowing 266.4 yards per game through the air, which is matched by their rank of 97th in the nation in scoring defense off the pass.

With UCLA's weak pass defense, it's safe to say that it'll be in trouble against the USC Trojans.

Should Silas Redd play, the Trojans will pound the rock with him and Curtis McNeal. Redd has 732 yards and nine touchdowns this season, while McNeal ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

With the Bruins focused on the run, that opens the door for Matt Barkley to air it out. As we all know, Barkley is one of the best in the nation at doing just that.

As for their final week game against Stanford, they are led by senior running back Stepfan Taylor. With six games with at least 100 yards this season, Taylor is already at 1,061 yards for the year.

He also has nine touchdowns and is more than prepared to tear up UCLA's run defense. If that means the UCLA pass defense must step up and win the game, UCLA isn't looking good.

16. Oregon State Beavers

BCS Ranking: No. 16

2012-13 W-L Record: 7-2, 5-2 Pac-12 

Biggest Flaw: Youth & Inexperience

The Oregon State Beavers have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2012-13 college football season. With that being said, their loss to Stanford exposed them for what they are.

Supremely talented but hindered by youth.

Starting quarterback Cody Vaz and running back Storm Woods are both freshmen. Leading receiver Brandin Cooks, meanwhile, is a sophomore.

Although productive, each player has been prone to underclassmen mistakes. The most severe instance of this was Vaz's late-game fumble against Stanford in which the defense hadn't even touched him when he coughed it up.

Those type of plays will derail the BCS championship dreams of any team.

The truth about Oregon State is that its defense will keep it in any game. It's allowing just 19.1 points per game, which makes the 82nd-ranked scoring offense that much more comfortable with its underwhelming ability to put up points.

The talent may be there, but the inexperience is keeping the Beavers out of the end zone.

15. Texas Longhorns

BCS Ranking: No. 15

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-2, 5-2 Big 12

Biggest Flaw: Run Defense

In what can only be described as an extreme change in identity, the Texas Longhorns are an explosive offensive powerhouse and a weak defensive unit. Most specifically, they thrive in running the football and struggle to prevent the run.

Consider this to be a reversal from the Colt McCoy era.

The Longhorns presently rank 100th in the nation against the run. They're allowing 200.0 yards per game and a whopping 5.0 yards per carry.

They also rank 86th in the nation in scoring defense against the run. Not the recipe for success.

In the Longhorns' two losses, they've allowed an average of 55.5 points per game. This fits the way they've played all season, as they rank 74th in the nation by allowing an average of 29.1 points.

This sets up the potential for disaster when you consider the fact that Texas closes out the regular season against Kansas State.

Led by scrambling quarterback Collin Klein, the Wildcats are averaging 213.6 rushing yards per game. This sets up a potential slug fest between offenses, as Texas is allowing just about that number every time out.

Unless the Texas front seven can stuff the run, it will be a long day in Manhattan, Kansas.

14. Nebraska Cornhuskers

BCS Ranking: No. 14

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-2, 5-1 Big Ten 

Biggest Flaw: Airing it Out

With Kenny Bell on the outside, you'd think that the Nebraska Cornhuskers would be dangerous through the air. Bell is presently averaging 18.7 yards per reception and has tallied 653 yards and six touchdowns on the season.

Unfortunately, quarterback Taylor Martinez has yet to develop into the passing threat that the Cornhuskers expected him to.

With the No. 2 pass defense in the nation, the Huskers have benefited from consistently quality field position. They're averaging 37.4 points per game and rank seventh in the nation with 269.3 yards per game on the ground.

In each of their two losses, however, Martinez has failed to throw the ball as well as necessary. In those outings, he's thrown just one touchdown to four interceptions.

An inaccurate reflection on how far he has come as a quarterback.

No matter how far Martinez may have progressed as a passer, he still hasn't made the pass game a strength for Nebraska. They're running the ball based off the fact that Martinez, Rex Burkhead and Ameer Abdullah are elite on the ground.

Without consistency through the air, however, Nebraska has exposed itself as rather one-dimensional.

13. Stanford Cardinal

BCS Ranking: No. 13

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-2, 6-1 Pac-12 

Biggest Flaw: Scoring the Football

The Stanford Cardinal rank 102nd in the nation by allowing 262.1 passing yards per game. They also rank 15th in the nation by allowing an average of just 1.0 passing touchdowns.

Paired with the nation's best run defense, which is allowing a mere 58.6 rush yards per game, Stanford is clearly a powerhouse. So how in the world has it lost two games?

The Cardinal have scored less than 30 points in seven of their 10 games. That includes five games with 21 points or less, having scored 13 points in both of their losses this season.

With their next two games coming at Oregon and at UCLA, that does not bode well for their chances at victory.

As for why this is happening, look no further than Andrew Luck's replacements at quarterback. Josh Nunes and Kevin Hogan have combined to lead the Cardinal to an average of just 211.9 yards per game through the air.

That ranks 85th in the nation. It also places a severe cap on the abilities of running back Stepfan Taylor.

If they continue to struggle through the air, the points will remain limited.

12. Oklahoma Sooners

BCS Ranking: No. 12

2012-13 W-L Record: 7-2, 5-1 Big 12

Biggest Flaw: Landry Jones

Statistically speaking, the Oklahoma Sooners are as good as any team in the nation. They rank 16th in total offense, 20th in total defense and sixth in field goal percentage.

Unfortunately, games aren't won by statistics. They're won by a leader's ability to step up when the game is on the line and make right big play.

Something that quarterback Landry Jones has not proven capable of doing.

When the Sooners lost to Kansas State at home, Jones had just one touchdown pass. Beyond his statistical shortcomings was the fact that Jones fumbled the ball and had it returned for a touchdown.

He was also picked off at the Oklahoma 38, thus setting up a scoring drive for K-State. Those two mishaps were the No. 1 reason the Sooners dropped a 24-19 heartbreaker to the now No. 1 Wildcats.

Against Notre Dame, Jones finished with no touchdowns and an interception. Such allowed Notre Dame to get out ahead and win the game by a final score of 30-13.

Jones has exceptional talent, but he's proven time and time again that he can't step up with the game on the line.

11. Clemson Tigers

BCS Ranking: No. 11

2012-13 W-L Record: 9-1, 6-1 ACC 

Biggest Flaw: Run Defense

The Clemson Tigers may be a high-powered offense, but that does not mean that they're firing on all cylinders. In fact, Clemson's run defense is as weak as any in the nation.

Thus far, they rank 77th by letting up 169.0 rushing yards per game. This has allowed opponents to keep the Tigers' high-octane pass attack on the sidelines and control the pace of games.

As a result, they've allowed at least 27 points to four different opponents.

If not for the likes of Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins, the Tigers may not be a 9-1 team on the brink of BCS contention. Unfortunately, that one loss came against the Florida State Seminoles in a game in which they allowed 287 yards on the ground.

A game that has produced their reputation for the remainder of the season.

Truth be told, there aren't very many holes in the Clemson 22. They're sound in virtually all facets of the offensive game, with efficient enough play on defense to get by in the ACC.

The remaining question for Clemson is, what happened to Andre Ellington? Over the past three games, he's run for just 141 yards.

Without his production on offense, Clemson could be limited by an elite pass defense come Bowl season. Or South Carolina in two weeks.

10. Florida State Seminoles

BCS Ranking: No. 10

2012-13 W-L Record: 9-1, 6-1 ACC 

Biggest Flaw: Pounding the Rock

It is criminal that the Florida State Seminoles are this low in the BCS Rankings. They have the No. 1 run defense, No. 6 pass defense and rank fourth in the nation with a mere 13.0 points allowed per game.

All of this has come against the offensive-heavy ACC.

What can be said about FSU, however, is that its run game went down as soon as Chris Thompson tore his left ACL (via ESPN). Such was on full display against the Virginia Tech Hokies, when the Seminoles ran for negative-14 yards.

I repeat, negative-14 yards.

With the likes of Lonnie Pryor, James Wilder Jr. and quarterback E.J. Manuel, you'd expect the run game to be better. Clearly the loss of Thompson, who was on pace to be the Seminoles first 1,000-yard runner since Warrick Dunn, is hurting them.

Their defense and elite quarterback play will enable them to defeat any opponent. With that being said, losing their explosive running back is exceptionally damaging.

9. South Carolina Gamecocks

BCS Ranking: No. 9

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-2, 6-2 SEC

Biggest Flaw: Life without Lattimore

During a 38-35 victory over the 4-6 Tennessee Volunteers, the South Carolina Gamecocks lost star running back Marcus Lattimore to a dislocated right knee (via CBS Sports). It goes without saying that Lattimore will be lost for the season.

During their first game without Lattimore, South Carolina tallied 104 rush yards against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Proof that the loss of their star has been quite damaging to their quality as an offense.

The only teams to run for less against Arkansas were Jacksonville State, Auburn, Kentucky and Ole Miss.

So why is this team ahead of Clemson and Florida State?

Quarterback Connor Shaw has been solid and the Jadeveon Clowney-led pass rush is as dominant as any in the nation. Without a run game, however, the Gamecocks will struggle when they travel to play the Clemson Tigers on November 24.

It will be then that we learn of whether they're ranked too high. Not against Wofford.

8. Texas A&M Aggies

BCS Ranking: No, 8

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-2, 5-2 SEC

Biggest Flaw: Pass Defense

Whether the Texas A&M Aggies are the eighth best team in the nation is debatable. When you just upset the previously undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide and have Johnny Manziel at quarterback, however, it's pretty difficult to complain.

With that being said, this squad isn't perfect. Even if they are near-impossible to root against.

The Aggies are allowing 251.4 yards per game through the air, ranking 81st in the nation. That weakness was on full display against Louisiana Tech when Colby Cameron put up 450 yards and five touchdowns to no interceptions.

Such has been a trend, as they rank 55th in interceptions per game.

Although Manziel is close to instant offense, the Aggies are not invincible. They should win out against the likes of Sam Houston State and Missouri, but that does not guarantee their inclusion in a BCS bowl game.

Johnny Football does.

7. LSU Tigers

BCS Ranking: No. 7

2012-13 W-L Record: 8-2, 4-2 SEC

Biggest Flaw: Quarterback Play

Over the past two weeks, LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger has been close to phenomenal. Against Alabama and Mississippi State, Mettenberger threw for an average of 285.5 yards per game and no interceptions.

Unfortunately, those might be his only two quality performances of the season.

Thus far, Mettenberger is averaging just 199.0 passing yards per game. He has three games without a touchdown, including an additional four games with just one score through the air.

Although his past two games have displayed reason for confidence, there is no way around how poorly the LSU passing game has been. Seven games with one touchdown or less will do that to you.

LSU ranks 94th in the nation in passing yards per game and 106th in passing touchdowns. Although its defense is capable of winning any game it enters, LSU has two losses for a reason.

Inconsistency at quarterback.

6. Florida Gators

BCS Ranking: No. 6

2012-13 W-L Record: 9-1, 7-1 SEC

Biggest Flaw: Airing It Out

If you thought LSU struggled to throw the football, you haven't seen the Florida Gators.

Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett have combined to lead Florida to an average of 142.3 passing yards per game. That ranks the Gators 118th in the nation in said category, which is a reflection of why they lost 17-9 against No. 5 Georgia and escaped 27-20 against Louisiana-Lafayette.

With their run game also on the decline, how can we not be concerned?

Through the first seven games of the season, the Gators were scoring an average of 30.1 points per contest. Over the past three outings, however, they're averaging just 16.7 points.

As a result, they've lost to the Georgia Bulldogs and defeated the Missouri Tigers and Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns by seven points apiece.

Although Florida deserves BCS bowl game consideration, it's difficult to overlook their recent shortcomings on offense. Despite the elite nature of their defense, their inability to put points on the scoreboard will hinder their chance at winning any game.

Even if they have defeated the likes of LSU, South Carolina and Texas A&M. Wait, they've defeated three Top 10 teams in one season and are behind Alabama?

Strange.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

BCS Ranking: No. 5

2012-13 W-L Record: 9-1, 7-1 SEC 

Biggest Flaw: Playing Down to Their Opponents

The Georgia Bulldogs are one of the best-coached teams in the NCAA. That's exactly why it's so mind-boggling that they're averaging 7.2 offensive penalties per game, thus putting an end to their scoring drives in the process.

Such was evident during their 35-7 loss to South Carolina. A game in which they lost 51 yards off penalties.

Nearly half the amount they gained through the air.

What this is truly a result of is the Bulldogs' frustrating tendency to play down to the level of their opponents. Such was on display during one possession victories over the Tennessee Volunteers and Kentucky Wildcats, which certainly sets the team up for potential losses.

Fortunately, the Bulldogs have outscored their past two opponents by a score of 75-10.

Truth be told, the Bulldogs are one of the most difficult teams in the nation to evaluate. Head coach Mark Richt is a perfectionist that seems to cure every woe that the Bulldogs seem to face.

Which is exactly why their loss to South Carolina is so baffling.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

BCS Ranking: No. 4

2012-13 W-L Record: 9-1, 6-1 SEC

Biggest Flaw: Pass Defense

Who would have thought that the Alabama Crimson Tide's biggest weakness would be on defense?

Although dominant statistically, the past two weeks have exposed the Crimson Tide's pass defense. It has allowed 275.5 passing yards per game to LSU and Texas A&M, which has come by virtue of the inexperience of the Alabama defensive backfield.

Keep in mind, both Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron are gone from a year ago. Although there are quality replacements, the void has been left.

Although Johnny Manziel has done this to virtually every defense he's faced, there is no excuse for 'Bama letting him do it to them. The Tide had made it to the top by virtue of their smothering D and responsible pass game.

When one of those pieces let up, the others will falter. As was the case against A&M, as A.J. McCarron threw his first interception of the season in the midst of Alabama's defensive meltdown.

A second consecutive poor performance by a thought-to-be elite squad is certainly concerning. The question is, are the Crimson Tide's struggles a result of the pressure or a harsh reality that they've declined in terms of ability?

Until proven otherwise, it appears to be the latter.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

BCS Ranking: No. 3

2012-13 W-L Record: 10-0

Biggest Flaw: Inconsistency at Quarterback

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are one of the most physical teams in the nation. They bully opposing offensive lines, swarm to the ball on defense and have begun to pound the rock at an adequate enough level to win games.

Unfortunately, the Irish rival the Florida Gators and Maryland Terrapins for the most inconsistent quarterback play in the nation. For those who haven't heard, Maryland is on their fifth quarterback of the year (via The Washington Post).

Notre Dame appears to be the same way.

Whether it's Everett Golson or Tommy Rees, the Irish are seeing nothing but a variance in the quality of week-by-week performances. A likely reason for this is the fact that both quarterbacks have struggled to complete a full four quarters.

Controversial head coach Brian Kelly can be thanked for that flaw.

Although Notre Dame is finding ways to win, it's barely escaped Purdue, BYU and Pittsburgh. Each of those games was decided by three points, while the Irish's 21-6 victory over Boston College inspires even less faith.

Such is why the Irish are on the outside looking in of the BCS National Championship Game. It's also a direct result of their inconsistency behind center.

For the year, they have a grand total of 10 touchdowns through the air. Although balanced on the ground, there is serious concern about the fact that they're 79th in the nation with 26.1 points per game.

Here's hoping that the nation's No. 2 scoring defense maintains their elite pace.

2. Oregon Ducks

BCS Ranking: No. 2

2012-13 W-L Record: 10-0, 7-0 Pac-12

Biggest Flaw: Open-Field Tackling

With all due respect to Avery Patterson, the absence of safety John Boyett is being felt in a very severe way.

For all of Patterson's big play ability, there is the unfortunate reality that this Oregon Ducks team refuses to wrap up their opponents for a tackle. Instead, they're going to jar the ball loose or lay their opponent out.

Thus allowing the USC Trojans and California Golden Bears to combine for 68 points over the past two weeks.

With news breaking that Patterson will miss the remainder of the season, those concerns only magnify (via The Oregonian). Patterson tore his left ACL during the Ducks' 59-17 victory over California.

In turn, he'll miss the Ducks' remaining games against No. 13 Stanford and No. 16 Oregon State.

He'd also miss the Pac-12 Championship and any bowl game Oregon ends up reaching. For those unfamiliar with Patterson, he has three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.

Even still, his big-play ability is not what will be missed most.

As previously alluded to, the true weakness of the Oregon defense is its open-field tackling. It struggles to bring down ball-carriers and is even worse on the outside as it tackles receivers.

If that doesn't change, the physical Stanford and Oregon State crews will give them havoc.

1. Kansas State Wildcats

BCS Ranking: No. 1

2012-13 W-L Record: 10-0, 7-0 Big 12

Biggest Flaw: Airing It Out

Against the West Virginia Mountaineers, Collin Klein put up 323 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-21 passing. Since then, Klein has thrown for an average of 207.7 yards and just two touchdowns in three games.

Considering both of those scores came against Texas Tech, it's safe to say this team is struggling to win through the air. So how do you beat them?

No matter how phenomenal they have been on the ground, there is always the chance that a defense clamps down on the K-State run game. Considering running back John Hubert has tallied just 61 yards over the past two weeks, that is becoming a growing possibility.

In turn, the Wildcats become vulnerable.

In the games in which Klein has not thrown a touchdown, the Wildcats' average margin of victory is just 9.5 points. Assuming the Wildcats play an offensive powerhouse like the Oregon Ducks or a defensive terror such as the Alabama Crimson Tide, one can only imagine that they will need to air it out.

If Klein doesn't start putting up points through the air, Bill Snyder's magical run to his first career national championship will fall short.