BCS Rankings 2010: Predicting The BCS Standings After Week 8

The initial BCS standings surprised few; the Oregons, Boise States and Auburns of the college football universe sit calmly in the Top 5.

The supreme spot, however, belongs to...Oklahoma? The Sooners, ranked No. 3 in the Coaches Poll, claimed the prized No. 1 ranking with a top-rated strength of schedule.

Those narrow wins over Utah State, Air Force and Cincinnati? Ancient history.

But with nearly two months of pre-bowl football remaining, no team's BCS position is secure...and the juggling among the Top 10 is sure to both scare and soothe fans of those fortunate enough to be worthy of BCS consideration.

While it's difficult to reconstruct the BCS without extensive schooling at MIT and psychic abilities, here is a crystal ball glimpse into the BCS Top 10 after this week's games, many of which are ranked-versus-ranked matchups.

Current BCS Standings

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NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 11: (L-R) DeMarco Murray #7 and Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrate a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Norman, Ok

• 1. Oklahoma .9215
• 2. Oregon .8921
• 3. Boise State .8898
• 4. Auburn .8641
• 5. TCU .8573
• 6. LSU .8245
• 7. Michigan State .7628
• 8. Alabama .6654
• 9. Utah .6540
• 10. Ohio State .5726
• 11. Missouri .5491
• 12. Stanford .5374
• 13. Wisconsin .5335
• 14. Oklahoma State .5261
• 15. Iowa .4824
• 16. Nebraska .4295
• 17. Florida State .4267
• 18. Arizona .3807
• 19. Texas .2214
• 20. West Virginia .1812
• 21. South Carolina .1555
• 22. Kansas State .1422
• 23. Arkansas .1302
• 24. Mississippi State .1253
• 25. Virginia Tech .0658

10. Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers throws downfield during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Texas Defeated Nebraska 20-13. (Photo by Eric Franci

Current Record

5-1, 1-1 Big 12

Current BCS Standing

No. 16

This Week's Opponent

at No. 14 Oklahoma State (6-0, 2-0 Big 12)

Week 8 Effect

A win at undefeated Oklahoma State could vault the Huskers into the BCS Top 10. And with a potential Big 12 title matchup with Oklahoma looming, a clean slate from this point forward means Nebraska plays in a BCS bowl.

A national championship? Not impossible, but highly unlikely; many teams would have to fall for the Cornhuskers to reach No. 2 in the BCS.

9. Iowa

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. Th

Current Record

5-1, 2-0 Big Ten

Current BCS Standing

No. 15

Opponent

vs. No. 13 Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten)

Week 8 Effect

A victory over a No. 13 Wisconsin team that just last week beat then-No. 1 Ohio State has the potential to skyrocket the Hawkeyes to No. 9.

Iowa also has Michigan State and Ohio State remaining on the schedule, so if the Hawks run the table, a championship shot is possible...with some help, of course.

8. Ohio State

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MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: James White #20 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by the face mask by Brian Rolle #36 of the Ohio State Buckeyes as Devon Torrence # closes in at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeate

Current Record

6-1, 2-1 Big Ten

Current BCS Standing

No. 10

Opponent

vs. Purdue (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten)

Week 8 Effect

A victory over an improving Purdue squad will have a bit of clout, but a significant move in the BCS is unlikely.

And with only one more game versus a ranked opponent—Iowa—the Buckeyes' best hope is probably the Rose Bowl, not a national championship.

7. Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes upfield against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Current Record

6-1, 3-1 SEC

Current BCS Standing

No. 8

Opponent

at Tennessee (2-4, 0-3 SEC)

Week 8 Effect

A win over a poor Volunteers squad in Week 8 won't do much for the Tide, so they should stay near their current No. 8 BCS ranking.

If, however, Alabama beats future ranked foes LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn—and wins the SEC Championship Game—a BCS title shot in January is within reach, especially if a few higher-ups drop a game. 

6. Michigan State

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Edwin Baker #4 of the Michigan State Spartans scores on a 61 yard touchdown in the second quarter during the game against the Michigan Wolverines during the game on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Th

Current Record

7-0, 3-0 Big Ten

Current BCS Standing

No. 7

Opponent

at Northwestern (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten)

Week 8 Effect

If the Spartans continue their roll and beat a solid Northwestern team, a slight move up the BCS standings is a given.

And considering Michigan State handed Wisconsin its only loss, a Badger victory over Iowa will also assist Sparty's rise.

5. TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs looks for a receiver against the BYU Cougars at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Current Record

7-0, 3-0 MWC

Current BCS Standing

No. 5

Opponent

vs. Air Force (5-2, 3-1 MWC)

Week 8 Effect

A win versus previously ranked Air Force would help TCU's cause, but not enough to leapfrog any of the top four.

A future date with No. 9 Utah awaits. Until then, the Horned Frogs will be in a BCS holding pattern.

4. Boise State

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Defensive back Jerrell Gavins #4 of the Boise State Broncos shakes hands with a fan in the stands after the Broncos defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 33-30 at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by

Current Record

6-0, 2-0 WAC

Current BCS Standing

No. 3

Opponent

vs. Louisiana Tech (3-4, 2-1 WAC)

Week 8 Effect

A beatdown of Louisiana Tech will do little for Boise State. Couple the weak opponent with an Auburn victory over No. 6 LSU, and the Broncos fall one spot to No. 4.

BSU's best hope from here on out is to trample every opponent and hope Virginia Tech and Oregon State—Boise's top victims—win out as well.

3. Oregon

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Wide receiver Jeff Maehl #23, quarterback Darron Thomas #1 and wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei #80 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate after Thomas scored a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen

Current Record

6-0, 3-0 Pac-10

Current BCS Standing

No. 2

Opponent

vs. UCLA (3-3, 1-2 Pac-10)

Week 8 Effect

A win against a so-so Bruins team won't affect Oregon much. An Auburn victory over LSU, however, might drop the Ducks below the War Eagle.

Have no fear, though; future dates with USC, Arizona and Oregon State could help the "O" climb back into one of the championship slots.

2. Auburn

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers runs with the ball during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Current Record

7-0, 4-0 SEC

Current BCS Standing

No. 4

Opponent

vs. No. 6 LSU (7-0, 4-0 SEC)

Week 8 Effect

Auburn could script the most influential BCS statement with a win over No. 6 LSU.

And, in the end, if the Tigers finish undefeated—Auburn would have to beat four ranked teams from this point forward to do so—they WILL be in the BCS National Championship Game, regardless of how other teams finish.

1. Oklahoma

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Current Record

6-0, 2-0 Big 12

Current BCS Standing

No. 1

Opponent

at No. 11 Missouri (6-0, 2-0 Big 12)

Week 8 Effect

A victory at No. 11 Missouri will help the Sooners remain atop the BCS standings.

And, like Auburn, an undefeated Oklahoma squad plays in the national title game...no questions asked.