BCS Rankings: 5 Teams That Are Ranked Way Too Low
Yesterday, the first BCS rankings of the year were released, and the controversy has already begun.
Despite being No. 1 in the AP and Coaches' Poll, the University of Oregon finds itself as the No. 2 team behind Oklahoma. Boise State still cannot seem to find any love and sits at No. 3 behind the aforementioned Sooners and Ducks.
With 10 undefeated teams left in college football, the debate remains heated over strength of schedule, quality victories and the effects of team prestige on the rankings.
While the arguments abound over the BCS system, this is the one we are stuck with, and teams will consistently be underestimated by human error and a flawed computer system which does not always measure strength of schedule to the most accurate degree.
Eventually, some tough decisions will have to be made. Does a one-loss SEC or Big 10 team deserve a shot in the title game over a Boise State team with a lighter schedule? Could we possibly have a BCS Championship Game featuring the likes of Boise State and TCU?
For now, we do not have to answer these questions.
However, we can analyze the current rankings to see which teams are underestimated by the current BCS rankings. Here are the five teams in the BCS rankings that are ranked way too low.
West Virginia, No. 20
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West Virginia has not had a particularly impressive season. In Week 2, the Mountaineers struggled to defeat a Marshall team that still only has one win compared to five losses. In its only game against a ranked opponent this season, West Virginia traveled south where they lost to LSU by six points.
Still, West Virginia sits too low at the 20th position in the BCS Rankings.
Why?
It all starts with the defense. The Mountaineers have the third-ranked defense in the entire country. Additionally, Geno Smith has quietly put together a campaign for the Heisman Trophy with 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions as well as a completion percentage of 68.4 percent.
These factors add up to give Smith a quarterback rating of 156.6. While he may not be living up to some of the hype, Noel Devine has also put together a solid season, and though he has struggled as of late, he has the talent and speed to create big plays and move the ball downfield.
Texas, the team ranked directly above West Virginia, has one more loss than the Mountaineers. Texas has not been impressive in its losses, one of which came by 22 points at home to a UCLA Bruins team that is seventh in the Pac-10.
Florida State, No. 17
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The Seminoles have begun the Jimbo Fisher era successfully by exploding to a 6-1 start and a spot at the top of the ACC standings. Florida State's roster is one that is talented on both offense and defense with the 15th ranked defense in the country as well as the 22nd ranked offense.
While Florida State struggled somewhat this weekend against Boston College, the Seminoles are ranked too low behind teams such as Nebraska and even Ohio State.
The Seminoles' lone loss this season came on the road to the Oklahoma Sooners, a team that now occupies the No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings. Florida State's victory over Miami on the road was a landslide, a football game that was never really in doubt as Florida State pounced all over their in-state rivals.
Nebraska, on the other hand, lost to a Texas opponent last week, which was unranked at the time. While statistics may support the Cornhuskers, their schedule can be best described as lackadaisical.
Ohio State, on paper, has also been less impressive than the Seminoles, yet the Buckeyes occupy a ranking seven spots higher than Florida State.
Both teams' lone victory over a ranked opponent came against the University of Miami; however, the Seminoles' win came with a much larger margin on the road.
In addition, Ohio State's loss came to Wisconsin, a good team, but not quite as good as the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, who remain the only team to beat Florida State.
Missouri, No. 11
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Missouri's schedule this season thus far has been somewhat of a cakewalk. The Tigers have yet to play a ranked opponent. The toughest four teams Missouri has played this season have been Illinois, Colorado, Texas A&M and a surprisingly tough San Diego State team.
Nevertheless, Missouri has emerged from the first six games of the season unscathed with a perfect record to show for their efforts. Boasting the second-ranked defense in college football, Missouri has allowed only one team to score more than 13 points this season.
Offensively, Blaine Gabbert has carried the Tigers with his efficient play from the quarterback position, and a three-pronged rushing attack of Henry Josey, De'Vion Moore and Kendial Lawrence has been successful.
Is this Missouri team more talented than one-loss Ohio State and Alabama teams?
Probably not.
However, an undefeated record has to be respected, and until Missouri loses, the Tigers belong above all teams who have already lost a game.
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Utah, No. 9
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With all the talk of Boise State and TCU as BCS busters, people seem to again be forgetting about the Utah Utes. Just two years removed from a BCS bowl victory over Alabama, Utah is again putting together a solid season in the Mountain West Conference.
The Utes are undefeated again thus far, beating Pittsburgh as well as some pretty awful teams in the process. Utah's schedule has been one of the easiest in college football; however, one cannot deny the style with which they are destroying opponents. Utah is averaging almost 46 points a game while limiting opponents to just 14 points per game.
In two weeks, Utah will finally get an opportunity to showcase their talent and prove to doubters that their record is not simply a product of an easy schedule. After another cakewalk against Colorado State next week, Utah plays Air Force, TCU and Notre Dame in three consecutive weeks.
Utah may not have the games to back it up quite yet, but they will have the opportunity to prove that Boise State and TCU are not the only teams from non-major conferences in the race for a spot in the BCS Championship game.
LSU And Michigan State Behind TCU
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This slide is directed at both LSU and Michigan State, two teams that should be above TCU in the BCS Rankings. TCU's statistics have been undeniable. The Horned Frogs possess the top defense in the country in points allowed as well as the seventh-ranked offense in the country, yet the Tigers and Spartans belong above Texas Christian.
Why?
The statistics are misleading because of strength of schedule. TCU's victories (and statistics) have come against far inferior competition. The only victory for the Horned Frogs against a ranked opponent was against No. 24 Oregon State, who currently has racked up three losses on its way to a .500 record this season.
LSU and Michigan State, on the other hand, have been through some extremely tough competition. LSU has beaten three ranked opponents including North Carolina, West Virginia and Florida, as well as a much tougher SEC schedule. While the statistics may not match that of TCU, the victories are certainly more impressive.
Michigan State has had its own fair share of big wins. The Spartans knocked off Michigan in Ann Arbor as well as Wisconsin who went on to beat No. 1 Ohio State. Sure, Michigan State has scored fewer points and allowed more than TCU; however, it is obvious that a Big Ten schedule poses a much larger challenge than that seen in the Mountain West Conference.
Since all three teams are undefeated, it has to come down to strength of schedule, and TCU's opponents just do not compare to the quality opponents played by LSU and Michigan State.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
