BCS Rankings Week 2: Breaking Down All 25 Teams in the Second BCS Standings

The BCS rankings were released for Week 2 today.  To make sense of it all, I have produced this compendium of the rankings. 

Here I will let you know where you favorite programs were this time last week and who they will face in the near future.  We will also take a look at where they could gain some momentum and where they could falter. 

Without further ado, let's dive right in. 

25: Baylor

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Nick Florence #11 of the Baylor Bears leads his team in the huddle against the Texas Longhorns in the second half on November 14, 2009 at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: Unranked

Upcoming Games of Note: @ Texas Oct. 30; @ No. 17 Oklahoma State Nov. 6th; No. 9 Oklahoma Nov. 20th

They Could Move Up if: The sky is the limit for Baylor.  If they continue to play inspired football, they could surprise some people.  

They Could Fall if:  The flip side to this is the tough games ahead.  They are there to help you climb the rankings but at the same time, they are a nightmare for a small program.  The Oklahoma schools could easily send Baylor back into oblivion.

24: Nevada

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack looks to pass against the UNLV Rebels in the third quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by Et

Last week ranking: Unranked

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 3 Boise State Nov. 26th

They Could Move Up if: Their pistol offense is deadly.  They should make mince meat of all of their next opponents.  I could see a slow and steady rise for Nevada.  Until...

They Could Fall if:  They meet a worthy adversary at the end of next month.  They should start prepping now for that day.  A win could make the program for the next decade. 

23: Virginia Tech

Elsa/Getty Images

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies flips the ball in the fourth quarter against the Boston College Eagles on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Virginia Tech defeated Boston Co

Last week ranking: 25

Upcoming Games of Note: Georgia Tech Nov. 4th; @ No. 22 Miami Nov. 20th

They Could Move Up if: They need to take advantage of the lighter schedule.  The only difficult opponent is Miami.

They Could Fall if:  This is easier said than done.  This is the same team that lost to James Madison earlier in the year. 

22: Miami

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: LaRon Byrd #47 of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball while being chased by Nick Moody #10 of the Florida State Seminoles on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Hurricanes 45-17. (Ph

Last week ranking: Unranked

Upcoming Games of Note: @ Georgia Tech Nov. 13th; No. 23 Virginia Tech November 20th

They Could Move Up if: Their season comes down to a November 20th matchup against Virginia Tech.  Both teams need to slowly make their way up the rankings for it to even matter by that time.  

They Could Fall if: They could take Georgia Tech lightly, which is a sneaky hot team that could surprise Miami at home. 

21: Mississippi State

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Coach Dan Mullen of the Mississippi State Bulldogs questions a call during play against the Florida Gators October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 24

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 7 Alabama Nov. 13th; No. 19 Arkansas Nov. 20th

They Could Move Up if: Oh, to be the Bulldogs.  You lose two games early in the season and yet you hold the opportunity to get into the Top 10.  With huge wins against Alabama and Arkansas, this shaky team could be in the mix.

They Could Fall if: This team struggles to find points consistently.  If they do that in the next month, their season will be a long gone memory. 

20: South Carolina

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 9: Coach Steve Spurrier of the South Carolina Gamecocks lines up with players after play against the Alabama Crimson Tide October 9, 2010 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Image

Last week ranking: 21

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 19 Arkansas Nov. 6th; Florida Nov 13th

They Could Move Up if: They need to win out and in magnificent fashion.  Besides Arkansas they don’t really have a strong schedule.  

They Could Fall if: That loss to Auburn is looking like not such a bad badge to wear.  Too bad they also lost to Kentucky.  That is the loss that pretty much did in their season.  A win against the Razorbacks would help, but not by much. 

19: Arkansas

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Tyler Wilson #8 of the Arkansas Razorbacks rolls out and looks downfield for a receiver during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Raz

Last week ranking: 23

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 20 South Carolina Nov. 6th; @ No. 21 Mississippi State Nov. 20th; No. 12 LSU Nov. 27th

They Could Move Up if: If they survive the rest of their schedule, I will be immensely impressed.  They have the hardest schedule of any team behind the Top 10.  This could work to their advantage.  

They Could Fall if: They could also exhaust themselves by that time.  When they face LSU, they very well could be a collection of tired souls wanting the whole thing to be done. 

18: Iowa

David Purdy/Getty Images

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes warms up before action against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kinnick Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Wisconsin won 31-30 over Iowa. (Photo by David Purd

Last week ranking: 15

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 5 Michigan State Oct. 30th; No. 11 Ohio State Nov. 20th

They Could Move Up if: The two teams that mean the most to them are not invincible.  Michigan State looked shaky this past weekend and Ohio State has already been through one upset.

They Could Fall if: But history tells us a bottom of the pack team can get one upset, but it is a tall order to defeat Ohio State as well as the Spartans, especially the way they are rolling. 

17: Oklahoma State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Fans of the Oklahoma State Cowboys cheers during the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Bulldogs 24-10. (Phot

Last week ranking: 14

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 25 Baylor Nov. 6th; No. 9 Oklahoma Nov. 27th

They Could Move Up if: If the Cowboys can remain undefeated by the time they face Oklahoma, they very well could be a Top 12 team.  If Oklahoma does the same, that game will mean a Top 10 seed to the Cowboys, and bragging rights over the state.

They Could Fall if: Baylor.  They should not take Baylor lightly.  Baylor has come out of nowhere and I get uneasy about those types of teams. 

16: Florida State

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles warms up prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 17

Upcoming Games of Note: @ Maryland Nov. 20th

They Could Move Up if: Everyone in the Top 15 loses.

They Could Fall if:  It is sad to say but Florida State’s season is not in their hands.  Their toughest opponent is Maryland.  With little else to make a strong argument for their prestige, I don’t see anywhere for them to go. 

15: Arizona

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats drops back to pass during the college football game against the Oregon State Beavers at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 2

Last week ranking: 18

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 13 Stanford Nov. 6th; @ No. 2 Oregon Nov. 26th

They Could Move Up if: Nick Foles.  They need their leader and best player to come back from injury healthy.  That is the only way they survive.

They Could Fall if: The Pac-10 is tough.  It is a conference that loves to beat each other up.  Look for more of them same when they play Stanford then Oregon. 

14: Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers gets the ball knocked loose by cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns during their game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Texas D

Last week ranking: 16

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 6 Missouri Nov. 6th

They Could Move Up if: A win in a couple of weeks against Mizzou will go a long way to regain some of their composure.  A win there could sneak them back into the good graces of the BCS.

They Could Fall if: If they have another episode like the Texas game.  After Mizzou, Nebraska plays no one.  They should have no trouble getting wins.  Unless they relapse into a Texas coma.

13: Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 23: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal passes the ball against the Washington State Cougars at Stanford Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 12

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 15 Arizona Nov. 6th; @ Cal Nov. 20th

They Could Move Up if: If Andrew Luck stays consistent, the Cardinal should have no further hiccups like the one they had against Oregon.

They Could Fall if: I am not worried for them in Arizona so much as I am for them away at Cal.  The annual Big Game is always fraught with oddities.  A top team falling to Cal could fit in that category. 

12: LSU

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Rueben Randle #2 of the LSU Tigers pulls in this touchdown reception against Josh Bynes #17 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 6

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 7 Alabama Nov. 6th; @ No. 19 Arkansas Nov. 27th

They Could Move Up if: They need to stay positive.  If the Auburn loss remains their only one, it will go greatly to them going to the BCS championship.  

They Could Fall if: They need to win out, but that seems extremely tough to do.  Alabama is their first test in a couple of weeks.  By barely losing to Auburn, they have shown they deserve to be in the argument for best team in the nation.

11: Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 10

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 18 Iowa Nov. 20th

They Could Move Up if: The Top 10 needs to be shaken up a few more times for Ohio State to matter in a month.  

They Could Fall if: With only Iowa left to face, the Buckeyes will need help to get back to No. 1. 

10: Wisconsin

David Purdy/Getty Images

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by line backer Lance Tillison #50 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes as he drove the ball up the middle of the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half of play at

Last week ranking: 13

Upcoming Games of Note: @ Purdue Nov. 6th

They Could Move Up if: With a prolific run game headed by John Clay, the Badgers have a consistent weapon.  With an easy schedule for the remainder of the year, they should remain in the Top 10.  

They Could Fall if: They should not take Purdue too lightly.  Other than that, their remaining games really are that easy. 

9: Oklahoma

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 23: Kenny Stills #4 of the Oklahoma Sooners gets past Jarrell Harrison #11 of the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 1

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 25 Baylor Nov. 20th; @ No. 17 Oklahoma State Nov. 27th

They Could Move Up if: With games against Top 25 teams left, the Sooners have ample time to get back into the hunt.  

They Could Fall if: At some point number ones will stop losing.  If that time has passed, Oklahoma will need a miracle to climb to No. 1.

8: Utah

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: David Reed #16 of the Utah Utes celebrates with Jereme Brooks #85 after making a touchdown pass reception in the second quarter of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort

Last week ranking: 9

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 4 TCU Nov. 6th

They Could Move Up if: If, and only if, they beat TCU should they be considered.  

They Could Fall if: Their schedule is fluff.  It is the only reason they are doing so well.  Conversely, victories in a harder schedule would have them even higher.  But I doubt Utah would fair well with Oklahoma’s schedule. 

7: Alabama

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 8

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 12 LSU Nov. 6th; No. 21 Mississippi State Nov. 13th; No. 1 Auburn Nov. 26th

They Could Move Up if: A former No. 1 seed themselves, Alabama touts the hardest schedule of the Top 10.  A win on November 26th is the season.  No other games will matter.  

They Could Fall if: They have to get to the end of November undefeated first. 

6: Missouri

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 23: Missouri Tigers fans swarm the field after upsetting the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Ima

Last week ranking: 11

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 14 Nebraska Oct. 30th

They Could Move Up if: They moved up just as quickly as one can after one game.  But their recent victory coupled with one against Nebraska will push them to heights they could not have dreamed in August.  

They Could Fall if: Nebraska is a formidable opponent and they are hungry.  A team with a chip on their shoulder is always difficult, especially one with the caliber of the Cornhuskers.

5: Michigan State

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans returned to the sidelines for a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27.

Last week ranking: 7

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 18 Iowa Oct. 30th

They Could Move Up if: The name of the game is to stay unbeaten.  The Spartans have shown they can be tested and still win.  

They Could Fall if: Iowa is the true test.  If they can get past this weekend, they will stay a top five team. 

4: TCU

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs passes the ball against the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 5

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 8 Utah Nov. 6th

They Could Move Up if: Beat Utah, that is it.  Like Utah, TCU has had a relatively easy schedule.  Utah is their only test and they must pass it.  

They Could Fall if: Again, I cannot stress the importance of this game enough.  It is the only true competitive match for either side.

3: Boise State

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 and the Boise State Broncos celebrates a touchdown against the Oregon Stage Beavers at Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 3

Upcoming Games of Note: @ No. 24 Nevada Nov. 26th

They Could Move Up if: Boise State has always been the victim of a smaller school's schedule.  This year was different and their win against Virginia Tech showed us that.  They still need Auburn or Oregon to falter for the BCS to buy in.  

They Could Fall if: Oregon and Auburn remaining unbeaten will leave the Broncos on the outside looking in yet again. 

2: Oregon

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 21: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins on October 21, 2010 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Last week ranking: 2

Upcoming Games of Note: @ USC Oct. 30th; @ Cal Nov. 13th; No. 15 Arizona Nov. 26th

They Could Move Up if: They just need to stay the course.  Nothing fancy, the Ducks just need to win out.

They Could Fall if: The Ducks have one of the best offenses in the country.  They also boast a twelfth man known as Autzen Stadium, so it is a critical fact that they play both SC and Cal on the road this year.

1: Auburn

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers drops back to throw a practice pass before the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Imag

Last week ranking: 4

Upcoming Games of Note: No. 7 Alabama Nov. 26th

They Could Move Up if: Stay Unbeaten.  Simple.  That is all they have to do.

They Could Fall if: Ah, yes.  They still have to play former No. 1 Alabama on November 26th.  I almost forgot.