BCS Rankings 2013: Updated Outlook on Top Teams After Week 10

The college football season is rapidly approaching the finish line, but the BCS rankings did not remain stagnant during the third installment.

Seven teams in the Top 25 remain undefeated, with the top four especially gunning for a title-game appearance. While Alabama has held a firm grasp on the No. 1 spot, Florida State and Oregon are rearing closer and closer to the Crimson Tide.

After taking an updated look at the BCS rankings, let's examine how some of Alabama's staunchest competition is faring heading into Week 11.

Ranking	Team	BCS Average
1	Alabama (8-0)	.9797
2	Florida State (8-0)	.9525
3	Oregon (8-0)	.9435
4	Ohio State (9-0)	.8720
5	Stanford (7-1)	.7930
6	Baylor (7-0)	.7745
7	Clemson (8-1)	.7277
8	Missouri (8-1)	.6890
9	Auburn (8-1)	.6686
10	Oklahoma (7-1)	.6084
11	Miami (FL) (7-1)	.5246
12	South Carolina (7-2)	.5111
13	LSU (7-2)	.4525
14	Oklahoma State (7-1)	.4395
15	Texas A&M (7-2)	.4365
16	Fresno State (8-0)	.3675
17	Michigan State (8-1)	.3394
18	Northern Illinois (9-0)	.3169
19	UCLA (6-2)	.2904
20	Louisville (7-1)	.2510
21	UCF (6-1)	.2151
22	Arizona State (6-2)	.1770
23	Notre Dame (7-2)	.1662
24	Wisconsin (6-2)	.1288
25	Texas Tech (7-2)	.0986

Florida State Rises to No. 2

Can Jameis Winston take the surging Seminoles any further?

Florida State continued to show it's for real by pouncing then-No. 7 Miami in a 41-14 shellacking. The Seminoles compiled 517 yards in what was a tame day at the office for the freshman quarterback. 

With substantial wins over Clemson and Miami, there's no way anyone can continue to discredit Florida State. That's certainly apparent in the BCS rankings, where the squad zoomed past Oregon to seize the No. 2 spot.

Florida State has remained unchallenged all season, with each victory coming by at least two touchdowns. Neither 4-5 Wake Forest nor 4-4 Syracuse poses much of a threat to halt the undefeated stretch in the upcoming weeks.

It's now a matter of the Seminoles accumulating style points to fend off Oregon. If they can show off enough to impress the algorithm, Winston's squad will take the grandest stage, likely tasked with preventing Alabama from attaining its third straight championship. 

Oregon (No. 3) and Stanford (No. 5) Set for Season's Biggest Game

The BCS title picture changes after this game.

Everything hangs in the balance for each top school, neither of which can afford a loss at this juncture of the 2013 campaign. Oregon needs to remain perfect to keep up with Florida State, while Stanford will vanquish all its recent progress with another defeat.

At 8-0, the Ducks have accomplished everything in their power, winning every game by at least 21 points. The unstoppable offense, led by Heisman candidate Marcus Mariota, has generated 55.6 points per game, yet it's currently not enough to receive a No. 1 or 2 ranking.

Strength of schedule is the only mark on Oregon, which has yet to beat a top-10 school. That could change this Thursday against No. 5 Stanford.

After squeaking by Washington and dropping a stunner to Utah, Stanford earned its way back in the rankings' good graces with two wins over UCLA and Oregon State. Neither victory came with a large margin, but the Cardinal grinded out tough triumphs with a stout defense.

That defense, however, has not faced an offense like Oregon, and Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan will not be able to keep up with Mariota in a shootout. Stanford must find a way to get Oregon in check or else it will stumble down the leaderboard while the Ducks make a convincing case to reclaim their No. 2 slot.