BCS Rankings 2013 Predictions: Rounding Up Experts' Projected Week 15 Standings

The highly scrutinized BCS will be a part of sports history following this college football season, and while it is probably for the best, fans may never be treated to a regular-season Saturday quite as exciting and meaningful as the one we just witnessed.

It started at high noon, when the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes edged out archrival Michigan by the narrowest of margins, 42-41, following a failed two-point conversion by the Wolverines in the final minute. It seemed like the excitement meter from that game couldn’t be topped by those to follow, but that was far from the case.

Little did we know that Auburn’s Chris Davis would take a missed game-winning field goal from Alabama more than 100 yards in the Iron Bowl’s final play. It was one of the most memorable plays in college football history and sent shockwaves from Tuscaloosa all the way through Columbus.

So what will the BCS rankings look like with only one more week remaining in the season? If the USA Today coaches’ poll and AP poll are any indication, the Buckeyes will be sitting in the precious No. 2 spot with Auburn breathing down their necks.

A number of experts have weighed in on the who-should-be-No.-2 debate, including BCS Guru Samuel Chi and Jerry Palm of CBS Sports. Here is how they believe the standings will look like in Week 15:

Rank	Team	Record	Conference	Previous
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

Rank	Team	BCS Average
1	Florida State	.9915
2	Ohio State	.9403
3	Auburn	.9366
4	Alabama	.8506
5	Missouri	.8494
6	Oklahoma State	.7629
7	South Carolina	.697
8	Stanford	.6969
9	Baylor	.679
10	Michigan State	.6396
11	Arizona State	.5833
12	Oregon	.5421
13	Clemson	.5135
14	Northern Illinois	.4878
15	LSU	.4279
16	Oklahoma	.3941
17	Central Florida	.3825
18	UCLA	.3406
19	Louisville	.263
20	Duke	.2385
21	Wisconsin	.2055
22	Fresno State	.1006
23	Georgia	.0943
24	Texas A&M	.0828
25	Texas	.0666

Noteworthy 

The biggest storyline from these projections is the fact that Ohio State is No. 2. If the Buckeyes are in that position when the actual poll comes out, it would be difficult to envision them being jumped in the future if they beat Michigan State. If Auburn isn't going to jump Urban Meyer and company after knocking off Alabama, it probably won't happen, barring an Ohio State loss.

It is also worth noting that Northern Illinois appears to be in position to clinch a BCS berth for the second straight year if it wins the MAC championship game. The Huskies would certainly love to have a better showing than they did last year against Florida State.

Finally, Alabama isn't dead quite yet. If Michigan State knocks off Ohio State, Duke beats Florida State and/or Missouri beats Auburn, the Crimson Tide could sneak into the national title game after all. It wouldn't be the first time a November loss didn't kill Nick Saban's title hopes.