BCS Rankings 2010: Breaking Down the Oregon Ducks

The first BCS Rankings of 2010 are finally out and some may say that the college football season is just getting started. After a crazy weekend of football that saw No. 1 Ohio State and No. 5 Nebraska both lose.

With undefeated teams all dropping like flies, we have seen the Oregon Ducks make a climb towards the top and now have to turn their focus to the second half of the season and their game against UCLA this week on Thursday night.

How They Got to This Point

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

When the 2010 season was ready to kickoff, the Oregon Ducks opened up as the No. 11 team in the nation. Week by week, Oregon has continued to impress the nation and their ranking has reflected it.

Now that six games are behind them, the Ducks take aim at the second half of the year. While wins over Tennessee and Stanford should give them confidence, the season is proving that no team should overlook their opponent.

Best Win

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates as he scores a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/

In the fifth week of the season, College Gameday and Stanford made a trip to Autzen Stadium for a game that would not disappoint. After some early turnovers, Stanford quickly found themselves up 21-3. Once the second quarter began, it was all Ducks. Oregon outscored Stanford 49-10 and ended up winning 52-31 and truly got the nation's attention.

BCS Ranking

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: The BCS National Championship trophy which was won by the Alabama Crimson Tide after winning the Citi BCS National Championship game over the Texas Longhorns at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. The Crim

Oregon ended up with a .8921 score in the BCS formula which puts them at No. 2. The Ducks have Boise State right behind them at No. 3 and are looking up at Oklahoma, which is at No. 1.

The Ducks were idle this week but due to a loss by Ohio State, moved up to No. 1 in all polls except the BCS.

Too High or Too Low

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PASADENA, CA. - OCTOBER 10: Nate Costa #7 the Oregon Ducks looks to pass in the third quarter against the UCLA Bruins on October 10, 2009 at the Rosebowl in Pasadena, California. The Ducks Defeated the Bruins 24-10 (Photo by Jacob De golish/Getty Images)

In my opinion this is just right. While I do feel that Oklahoma is overrated to this point and find it interesting that two thirds of the formula have Oregon ranked No. 1, I do understand that if Oregon takes care of its own business it will find itself in the National Championship.

Remaining Schedule

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Wide receiver D.J. Davis #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks for some running room on cornerback Johnson Bademosi #27 of the Stanford Cardinal after a reception in the second quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eu

1. vs UCLA
2. at USC
3. vs Washington
4. at California
5. vs Arizona
6. at Oregon State

Potential Pitfall

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Kicker Rob Beard #93 runs off the field after recovering his own onside kick along with safety John Boyett #20, defensive end Dion Jordan #96, and cornerback Talmadge Jackson III #37 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter of he

Oregon by no means has things in the Pac-10 or national race wrapped up. While it has games at USC, back home against Arizona and then at Oregon State, the true trap game may be when it takes on Cal on the road.

While Cal has been inconsistent this year, the talent is still there and Oregon would have been coming off a victory over rival Washington and could begin to look ahead to a big game at home against Arizona.

Intangibles

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Running back Kenjon Barner #24 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball during warmups before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-31. (Photo by Steve D

While looking at the glass half empty, you could say that Oregon has a huge question mark in the health of Kenjon Barner. LaMichael James has always had the luxury of knowing that Barner could give him a breather without causing there to be a letdown on the field. Until the health of Barner becomes clear, the Ducks will lean on James to carry the load.

If you want to look at the glass being half full, understand that the Ducks have yet to truly play a complete 60 minutes of good football. When you take this into consideration, it is scary to think of what this team could do when everything clicks.

Analysis

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 18: Wide receiver Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks heads for the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon w

Regardless of their current rank, Oregon still has to go out and take care of its own schedule. All other Pac-10 teams have a loss in conference, so they control their own destiny in conference and the same is true in the national race. If Oregon keeps winning the rankings will take care of themselves, culminating with a trip to Glendale Arizona.

Bowl Projection

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Puddles the Oregon Duck mascot is carried on the shoulders of fans on the feild of Autzen Stadium after the Oregon Ducks beat the Stanford Cardinal 52-31 at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes

You go on the road to USC, Cal and Oregon State and still have a home date with Arizona. While I would love to believe that this team can get through that schedule without a loss, I believe that they will finally put themselves in a hole they cannot get out of.

While they won't be in Glendale, they will be in Pasadena playing in the Rose Bowl.