BCS Spoiler Alert: Upcoming Games That Could Knock Teams Out of a BCS Bowl

This is a test of the College Football Spoiler Alert System. This is only a test.

With the volatility of the 2010 college football season, every team hanging out on top of a BCS Conference—plus TCU and Boise State—have been put on red alert for possible upset games lurking somewhere in their near future.  

Conference foes have their targets locked and will do anything possible to crush the hearts of these mid-season favorites.

While there is still a ton of football to play, these games should raise immediate red flags for any team looking down on their standings.  

Virginia Tech @ Miami – Nov. 20

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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

Virginia Tech has been rolling since their early-season debacle, but a trip to Coral Gables in late November could snap their ACC Championship dreams.

Although Miami’s only ACC loss came at home, don’t let this lull you into believing that it can’t hang with the Hokies.

The Hurricanes should enter this game with only one ACC loss and will use home-field advantage to surprise Virginia Tech.

Clemson @ Florida State – Nov. 13

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Andre Ellington #23 and Jamie Harper #8 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Clemson has won four of the last five games against Florida State and despite a shaky conference start for the Tigers, an upset in this game is not out of the question. 

Clemson’s offense and defense match up quite nicely with the Seminoles.

Although the Tigers' BCS bowl hopes might be shot, they definitely have the talent to play spoiler against Florida State and hand them another dreaded conference loss.  

Baylor @ Oklahoma State – Nov. 6

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Defensive tackle Roy Miller #99 of the Texas Longhorns sacks quarterback Robert Griffin #10 of the Baylor Bears in the second quarter on November 8, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Bri

Baylor’s consistently explosive offense has surprised many. The Bears lean heavily on Robert Griffin III (seventh with 296.6 passing yards per game), but Oklahoma State has a golden arm of its own in Brandon Weeden (second with 321.3 yards per game).

With both defenses struggling to keep opponents off of the scoreboard, this game will be a barn-burner. 

However, the crowd should help the Cowboys lock it up and giving them an excellent chance of squashing Baylor’s Big 12 Championship aspirations.  

Missouri @ Nebraska – Oct. 30

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs during their game against the Texas Longhorns game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Texas Defeated Nebraska 20-13. (Photo by Eric Francis

Missouri enters the Battle for the Victory Bell undefeated for the fourth straight season. However, just like last year, Nebraska should give the Tigers their first blemish.

Both offenses can light it up, but it will be the defenses that eventually decide this game. 

Although Missouri snapped a 15-game losing streak in Lincoln two years ago, Nebraska should right the ship and retake the Big 12 North throne.   

Michigan State @ Penn State – Nov. 27

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: B.J. Cunningham #3 of the Michigan State Spartans is stopped by (L-R) Hunter Bates #7, Ben Johnson #35 and Kevin Watt #42 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defea

Although Iowa on Oct. 30 will be difficult, the Spartans is ready to prove their BCS worth against the last ranked team on their schedule.

If Michigan State can emerge from Iowa victorious, an away game against Penn State to end the season lurks as a possible BCS bowl spoiler. 

The Spartans have lost five of the past six games against Penn State and have only won three times in University Park.   

Ohio State @ Iowa – Nov. 20

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 23- Wide receiver Marvin McNutt Jr. #7 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with teammate running back Adam Robinson #32 after scoring a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half of play at Kinnick Sta

The remaining schedule for Ohio State is hardly a cakewalk. 

While Ohio State’s dominance of Iowa is certainly apparent (45-14-3), this away game late in the season against the ranked Hawkeyes could be detrimental to the Buckeyes' BCS hopes.

Even if they can stop Ricky Stanzi and get past Iowa’s impressive defense, Ohio State’s rivalry game against Michigan follows this tilt.

If the Buckeyes are not careful, this could be a three-loss season for them.  

Arizona @ Stanford – Nov. 6

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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 season when these two teams butt heads, it was an offensive showcase with both teams combining for over 80 points and 1,100 yards.

This season, it has the potential to be more the same.

Both Arizona and Stanford should enter this game with one conference loss, and the loser will exit with a deflated BCS balloon. 

Andrew Luck should emerge as the savior for Stanford and spoil Arizona’s resurrection.  

Oregon @ Oregon State – Dec. 4

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: (L-R) Ryan Katz #12, Burke Ellis #74, Alex Linnenkohl #60 and Michael Philipp #77 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona.

Although Oregon owns an edge in this rivalry, anything can happen in the Civil War.

Surviving road games at USC and Cal are first on the list for the Ducks, but it is not unfathomable that Oregon will enter this game undefeated.

Last year Oregon State had Oregon on the ropes, but failed to put the Ducks down. This season the Beavers will use home-field advantage to finish the job and spoil the Ducks’ BCS hopes.  

Auburn @ Alabama – Nov. 26

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Chavis Williams #55 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Anyone that has counted out Alabama has been drinking some serious moonshine.

Although the Crimson Tide will definitely have their hands full, Alabama’s defense is talented enough to contain Cameron Newton, and its offense has enough weapons to keep them ahead on the scoreboard.

Auburn is a legit No. 1 and should enter this game atop of the BCS rankings, but Alabama will spoil the Tigers’ SEC championship hopes.  

South Carolina @ Florida – Nov. 13

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GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Wide receiver Omarius Hines #82 of the Florida Gators celebrates a touchdown catch against the Mississippi State Bulldogs October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty

For the first time since 2007, the SEC East will be won by a team with at least two losses. 

South Carolina currently holds the lead of division by a half game over Georgia, but the Gators are hardly out of this race.  

Although Florida has lost three straight, it is foolish to dismiss any team coached by Urban Meyer. 

The Gators are completely capable of smashing the Gamecocks and their lofty SEC title fantasies.  

TCU @ Utah – Nov. 6

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs leads his team against the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU beat Air Force 38-7. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Im

TCU is looking BCS-worthy with the No. 1 defense (9.0 points per game) and seventh-ranked offense (39.9 per game), but Utah’s outstanding squad stands in their way.

Utah’s third-ranked offense (47.7) and defense (12.9) will undoubtedly be able to keep up with TCU.

Both teams should enter this tussle undefeated, with the winner will be in contention for a BCS Bowl. However, TCU has yet to win in Salt Lake City, which will be a factor. 

Boise State @ Nevada – Nov. 26

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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

Boise State’s only real challenge left on their schedule is Nevada.

The Wolf Pack stumbled this season in Hawaii, but this shouldn’t take the venom out of their bite.  Outside of that game, they looked capable of beating almost any team on any given Saturday.

Colin Kaepernick and Nevada’s offense has the firepower to keep up with Kellen Moore and the Broncos. 

If any team is going to knock the Broncos out of a BCS bowl, it is going to be Nevada.

Pittsburgh @ Connecticut – Nov. 11

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 08: Kashif Moore #82 of the Connecticut Huskies drops a pass late in the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium on October 8, 2010 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated UConn 27-24. (Photo by Jim McIsa

Pittsburgh has experienced some difficulties on the road this season. Unfortunately for them, three of its last five games are in unfriendly territory.

Despite early conference woes, UConn is currently scoring at a 28.1 per game clip and could keep up with the Panthers on the scoreboard.   

The Huskies are undefeated at home this season, and this prime-time Thursday night game could be one of many conference road losses for Pitt.  

Syracuse @ Cincinnati – Oct. 30

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Holmes #35 of the Syracuse Orange rushes against Cort Dennison #31 of the Washington Huskies on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Syracuse's pseudo-success has surprised people this season, but this weekend any BCS bowl hopes that might be lingering for them could be crushed.

The Orange will be running into a Cincinnati team that leads the Big East in scoring offense (30.3 per game). 

Syracuse's offense seems to struggle at times and if this contest becomes a shootout, the Bearcats will run away with the game and spoil Syracuse’s season in the process.