BCS Rankings Predictions 2013: Projecting How Teams Shake Out After Wild Week
What an amazing day of college football Saturday presented us with. Needless to say, the next BCS rankings are going to look a little different.
Starting at the top, No. 1 Alabama fell to No. 4 Auburn after an ending so wild, it is hard to believe.
Nick Marshall connected with Sammie Coates for a 39-yard touchdown to tie Iron Bowl with just 32 seconds left. Alabama went for a last-ditch effort to avoid overtime. It looked like we were headed for overtime as the clock expired with the score tied.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
After a review, however, it was ruled that the Alabama ball-carrier was out of bounds with a second left. Then, this happened:
As a result, chaos will reign supreme in the BCS rankings. Here are the projected rankings by Bleacher Report's Samuel Chi:
| 1 | Florida State | 12-0 | ACC | 2 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 12-0 | Big Ten | 3 |
| 3 | Auburn | 11-1 | SEC | 4 |
| 4 | Alabama | 11-1 | SEC | 1 |
| 5 | Missouri | 11-1 | SEC | 5 |
| 6 | Oklahoma State | 10-1 | Big 12 | 7 |
| 7 | Stanford | 10-2 | Pac-12 | 8 |
| 8 | Baylor | 10-1 | Big 12 | 9 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 10-2 | SEC | 10 |
| 10 | Michigan State | 11-1 | Big Ten | 11 |
| 11 | Arizona State | 10-2 | Pac-12 | 12 |
| 12 | Oregon | 10-2 | Pac-12 | 13 |
| 13 | Clemson | 10-2 | ACC | 6 |
| 14 | Northern Illinois | 12-0 | MAC | 14 |
| 15 | LSU | 9-3 | SEC | 17 |
| 16 | Central Florida | 10-1 | American | 19 |
| 17 | Oklahoma | 9-2 | Big 12 | 18 |
| 18 | UCLA | 9-3 | Pac-12 | 22 |
| 19 | Louisville | 10-1 | American | 20 |
| 20 | Duke | 10-2 | ACC | 24 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 9-3 | Big Ten | 15 |
| 22 | Fresno State | 10-1 | MWC | 16 |
| 23 | Cincinnati | 9-2 | American | NR |
| 24 | Georgia | 8-4 | SEC | NR |
| 25 | Texas | 8-3 | Big 12 | NR |
Note: The rankings discussed in article are the rankings for Week 14 and not the projected rankings.
Ohio State currently sits in third and remained unbeaten with a thrilling 42-41 win over Michigan on Saturday. The Buckeyes are the logical choice to jump into second.
The Buckeyes, however, have been suffering from a weak schedule, and their win over Michigan isn't going to impress anyone. The Wolverines had lost four of their last six heading into Saturday.
So, the harsh reality for Buckeyes fans is that they could wind up being passed by Auburn—a team with one loss. That isn't likely to happen this week, but if Auburn comes out and destroys No. 5 Missouri in the SEC Championship Game and Ohio State loses to, or even struggles against, No. 11 Michigan State, Urban Meyer's team may be in trouble.
These outcomes weren't the only ones that will shake up the rankings.
In Williams-Brice Stadium, No. 6 Clemson fell to No. 10 South Carolina, 31-17. Both teams now have two losses, and neither is looking like a strong candidate to play in a BCS bowl game.
Then we have No. 16 Fresno State falling by the basketball score of 62-52 to San Jose State.
That outcome not only shakes up the rankings but perhaps also the BCS bowl games. No. 14 Northern Illinois is now in the driver's seat to make its second straight appearance in a BCS bowl.
In the Big Ten, No. 15 Wisconsin entered the week with a decent shot of making a BCS bowl game. The Badgers have no shot now after dropping a 31-24 battle to Penn State.
The Big Ten could very well still get two teams in, however. If Ohio State makes the BCS title game, I would expect Michigan State to go to the Rose Bowl. Actually, I take that back. I'm not expecting anything in this wild year.
What a crazy week and what a season for the current BCS system to go out on.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
