BCS Rankings 2010: Projecting How the Standings Will Look on Oct. 17
When the first BCS rankings are released next Sunday there are going to be controversies and angry fans no matter what.
Because an undefeated Crimson Tide team would have likely had the number one spot locked up, Alabama's loss this week to South Carolina will only shake things up even more.
So with one more week to go until the official BCS Standings are released, we thought we'd take a stab at how the rankings might look next Sunday.
Don't get too angry!
No. 10: Alabama
1 of 10
Record: 5-1
Current AP: 7
Current USA Today: 7
Week Seven Opponent: Vs Ole Miss
Analysis: Arkansas might climb in the polls in the next few weeks, as could Florida. That would help keep the Tide on the fringe of the BCS Standings. Of course, if they manage to claim the SEC West and win the conference title, they should qualify for the BCS Title Game.
No. 9: South Carolina
2 of 10
Record: 4-1
Current AP: 10
Current USA Today: 12
Week Seven Opponent: at Kentucky
Analysis: It’s simple. A win over the prohibitive number one team in the nation, plus a single narrow loss, to the sixth ranked Auburn Tigers makes the appealing. A win over the underrated Wildcats in Week Seven helps their cause.
No. 8: Nebraska
3 of 10
Record: 5-0
Current AP: 5
Current USA Today: 4
Week Seven Opponent: Vs Texas
Analysis: The Cornhuskers may have been given high markings by the voters but their low strength of schedule and a less-than stellar home win over South Dakota State will keep them down a bit.
If wins in the next three weeks (Texas, at Oklahoma State, Missouri) doesn’t push them into the Top 5, nothing will.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 7: TCU
4 of 10
Record: 6-0
Current AP: 4
Current USA Today: 5
Week Seven Opponent: Vs BYU
Analysis: For whatever reason, the Horned Frogs don’t get nearly as much love as the Boise State Broncos, despite eight straight scoreless quarters.
TCU is going to have to wait a few weeks (until they play Air Force and Utah) to be noticed enough to perhaps make a move in the BCS rankings. Still, someone out there is in their corner: they do have one first place vote in the human polls.
No. 6: Auburn
5 of 10
Record: 6-0
Current AP: 7
Current USA Today: 7
Week Seven Opponent: Vs #12 Arkansas
Analysis: All things being equal, the Tigers don’t deserve a spot above LSU or Oklahoma. But with a victory over Arkansas—which should answer some of the questions about their defense—Auburn will leap over a few of the other undefeated. v
No. 5: LSU
6 of 10
Record: 6-0
Current AP: 9
Current USA Today: 9
Week Seven Opponent: Vs. McNeese State
Analysis: Forget the easy win on their schedule for Week Seven. As ugly as it has been, the Tigers deserve to be ranked this high in the BCS because of who they’ve played. Out of conference wins over quality opponents like North Carolina and West Virginia along with the fact that they are 4-0 in the SEC, cannot be overlooked.
No. 4: Oklahoma
7 of 10
Record: 5-0
Current AP: 6
Current USA Today: 6
Week Seven Opponent: Vs. Iowa State
Analysis: A very impressive win over Florida State and reclaiming superiority in the Red River Shootout make the Sooners appealing to the voters: they earned 2 first place votes in the AP Poll.
Oklahoma’s impending contests at Missouri, at Texas A & M, at Oklahoma State and (probably) a spot in the Big XII Title Game will determine if they can leapfrog the others above them. Winning out might be enough to put them in the BCS title game.
No. 3: Boise State
8 of 10
Record: 6-0
Current AP: 3
Current USA Today: 3
Week Seven Opponent: At San Jose State
Analysis: The Broncos have been impressive every week they’ve played. And although they came back in September, the wins over Virginia Tech and Oregon State are not forgotten when it comes to the BCS Standings.
But Boise State better not get too comfortable with their third overall ranking. No matter what they do in the next few weeks, their spot here is tenuous at best.
No. 2: Oregon
9 of 10
Record: 6-0
Current AP: 2
Current USA Today: 2
Week Seven Opponent: Vs. UCLA
Analysis: The Ducks should have no trouble defending their home turf against the morbidly inconsistent UCLA Bears. Right now, Oregon and Ohio State are neck-in-neck but Ohio State’s poor showing earlier this season against Illinois cost them some style points. The Ducks strength of schedule gets them close but not close enough to the top spot.
No. 1: Ohio State
10 of 10
Record: 6-0
Current AP: 1
Current USA Today: 1
Week Seven Opponent: At #18 Wisconsin
Analysis: If the Buckeyes weren’t playing the Badgers at Camp Randall their strength résumé might not be impressive enough to claim both the top spot in the polls and the BCS standings. But, assuming they win at Wisconsin, that coupled with their win over Miami earns them the top spot.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
