BCS Rankings: How Every Top 25 Team Could Win a Title or Crash and Burn

There's not much football to be played in the regular season, but as we approach the finish line there are plenty of key games to be played that will have significant effects on the landscape of the rankings. 

Not a single team in the top 25 doesn't have at least one make-or-break game to be played over the next month.

It's the beauty of college football in November. To keep you up to date on all the action, we've got the best case and worse case scenarios for all 25 teams in the BCS top 25. 

While winning out or losing out are the two simplest ways to look at this, we're looking at each teams situation from a realistic standpoint based on the remaining opponents and conference standings. 

25. North Carolina State

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RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 28: Darrell Davis #15 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates with fans after deafeating the Florida State Seminoles 28-24 at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 28, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Ge

Best Case Scenario: 

NC State's win over FSU now has the Wolfpack poised for a run to the ACC Championship. With it's next four games against conference opponents, if NC State wins out, it'll represent the Atlantic division in the championship game; win there and it's off to a BCS bowl. 

Worst Case Scenario:

FSU has three conference games left, two of which are at home, and the Seminoles likely will win them all. If NC State loses again, FSU will win the ACC Atlantic. Worst case scenario for the Wolfpack is pretty much the same if they drop a single game from here on out. 

24. Florida State

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RALEIGH, NC - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Jimbo Fisher and quarterback Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles prepare for their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium on October 28, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Best Case Scenario: 

For FSU, it's fate is in the hands of NC State. Unless the Wolfpack lose one of their next four games, the Seminoles won't make it to the ACC Championship. There's a good chance that doesn't happen though and as long as FSU doesn't slip up again, the ACC championship game will be it's for the taking.

Worst Case Scenario:

On the flipside, things could get really ugly if FSU were to lose to Maryland in a couple weeks. The Terrapins only have one conference loss as well and dropping a game like that would relegate the Seminoles to a potential third-place finish in the Atlantic division.  

23. Nevada

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack celebrates with fans after defeating the UNLV Rebels 44-26 at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Best Case Scenario: 

Nevada will have the toughest time having a major impact on the postseason of any team ranked in the top 25. For a team like the Wolf Pack, the loss to Hawaii is a killer. Even if they win out the rest of the season, including beating Boise State, Nevada is still a long shot to in the WAC. 

Worst Case Scenario:

With Boise State and Fresno State still on the schedule and both teams ranked ahead of Nevada in the conference standings, a loss to both programs would mean the Wolf Pack would likely finish no higher than fourth in the WAC. 

22. Virginia Tech

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies calls out the play in the first quarter against the Boston College Eagles on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Best Case Scenario: 

Virginia Tech is in great shape in the ACC Coastal now that Miami lost to Virgina. The Hokies are the only team in the division that doesn't have at least two conference losses. All VT needs to do is not lose more than once the rest of the regular season and it'll go to the ACC Championship.

Worst Case Scenario:

It could get a little dicey if the Hokies slip up though. GT, UNC and UM are VT's next three opponents and are all two games behind the Hokies in the division. A realistic worst case scenario would be a loss to Miami and either Georgia Tech or North Carolina; allowing one of the two to go to the ACC Championship. 

21. Baylor

Best Case Scenario: 

Baylor is currently sitting in first place in the Big 12 South, but still has to play Oklahoma and Oklahoma State; the two teams behind it in the division. If the Bear win against both teams, they'd go to the Big 12 Championship even if they lose to Texas A&M. 

Worst Case Scenario:

As good as Baylor has been this season, it's hard to imagine it beating both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Those games have the smell of loss to them and with Texas A&M sandwiched in-between, Baylor could wind up as low as fourth in the Big 12 South if things go south.  

20. Mississippi State

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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)

Best Case Scenario: 

Unfortunately for Mississippi State, there's nothing easy about the SEC West. Even if the Bulldogs win out, beating Alabama and Arkansas, they'll still finish no better than second in the division to Auburn. Of course, in that scenario they mgiht get an at large bid for a BCS bowl. 

Worst Case Scenario:

MSU's last three games are at Alabama, Arkansas at home and at Ole Miss. That's a recipe for potential disaster. All three are very losable games. If the Bulldogs were to drop all of them, they could go from ranked to last place in the division. 

19. South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: The South Carolina Gamecocks run on to the field against the Tennessee Volunteers at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Best Case Scenario: 

South Carolina has the benefit of playing in unusually weak SEC East this season. The Gamecocks are the only team in the division with less than three conference losses. USC doesn't even have to win out, all it needs to do is beat Florida  in a couple of weeks and the division will be won. 

Worst Case Scenario:

South Carolina is the only SEC game left on Florida's schedule besides Vanderbilt though, meaning if the Gamecocks drop that game, the Gators would almost assuredly win the division and send South Carolina home early after an almost great season.  

18. Arkansas

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks warms up before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65-43. (Photo by Mike Zarr

Best Case Scenario: 

Arkansas is basically in a no-win situation. Even if the Razorbacks beat South Carolina, Mississippi State and LSU, they still won't win the SEC West. At best, Arkansas can hope to win out and then get an at-large bid to a BCS bowl.

Worst Case Scenario:

Worst case scenario for Arkansas is losing to South Carolian, Mississippi State and LSU, and then finishing fifth or maybe even sixth in the division. If that were to happen Arkansas would be looking at a 7-5 record and bowl game you really wouldn't be proud to be in. 

17. Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 05: Wide receiver Justin Blackmon #81 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defe

Best Case Scenario: 

Oklahoma State has a huge matchup with Baylor this weekend, but it'll need to not only win that game, but defeat Oklahoma in the season finale as well. The silver lining is that the Cowboys can afford to lose to Texas and still win the Big 12 South. 

Worst Case Scenario:

The game against Kansas is a gimmie, but Baylor, Texas and Oklahoma is no joke. The Cowboys could very well lose all of those matchups and then find themselves sitting in a tie with Texas Tech for last place in the division. Lose to Baylor or Oklahoma and the division is lost just like that. 

16. Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30: Line backer James Morris #44 of the the University of Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after tackling running back Edwin Baker #4 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of play at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in I

Best Case Scenario: 

The Big Ten is basically a complicated word problem. There's a four-way tie at the top, with the winner of the Iowa-Ohio State game eliminating one of them. Michigan State and Wisconsin should win out, meaning even if Iowa beats OSU the Hawkeyes will not win the conference. 

Worst Case Scenario:

By now all Iowa fans must be familiar with how crucial the loss to Arizona in September was. It essentially eliminated the Hawkeyes from a chance at winning the Big Ten. Winning out could result in a BCS bid, losing to Ohio State would doom Iowa to fourth place in the conference.  

15. Arizona

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Injured quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats congratulates Keola Antolin #2 after Antolin scored a 78 yard rushing touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter of the college football game at Ar

Best Case Scenario: 

As good as Arizona has played this year, the going is about to get really tough. In the next three weeks the Wildcats play Stanford, USC and Oregon and if they want to win the Pac-10, they'll have to win all three games and then finish the year with a win over Arizona State. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Oregon leads the way in the Conference, but Arizona and Stanford are right behind the Ducks. Considering the Wildcats and Cardinal play each other this week, a loss ends all hope of winning the conference. Dropping games against USC and Oregon would only be pouring salt on the wounds. 

14. Michigan State

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30: Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 on the sidelines during the first half of play against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Io

Best Case Scenario: 

Michigan State's loss to Iowa was brutal, not just on the scoreboard, but in the standings as well. The Big Ten will almost assuredly end in a three-way tie. Its going to come down to who's ranked the highest at the end of the season and it looks like that's going to be Ohio State or Wisconsin even if MSU wins out.  

Worst Case Scenario:

It's a tough reality to face, especially when the Spartans have played so well this year. But things could get worse if MSU loses to Penn State, that would destroy any chance of an at-large bid for a BCS bowl. 

13. Stanford

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal rushes against the Washington Huskies on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford defeated Washington 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Best Case Scenario: 

Unfortunately for Stanford, the loss to Oregon means there's almost no chance of winning the Pac-10, but winning out would likely result in a top 10 finish and a great chance at getting an at-large bid, though the competition for those spots will be steep. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Arizona is pretty much the only road block in the way for Stanford at this point, with that matchup coming this weekend. A loss there would end all hope of going to a BCS bowl and could potentially begin a spiral finish with Arizona State, Cal and Oregon State to close out the season. 

12. Missouri

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Missouri Tigers 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

Best Case Scenario: 

Missouri's fate now lies with Nebraska after the Tigers loss to the Cornhuskers last week. Neither team should lose again, which could mean a top 10 finish for both schools. Missouri's best chance at this point is to win out and get an at large bid to a BCS bowl.

Worst Case Scenario:

Considering Missouri's final four opponents have a combined record of 16-17, a loss to any of these teams would pretty much be a worst case scenario. If any of those games are going to be losses though, it's Iowa State to look out for; that game could really tarnish a great season. 

11. Ohio State

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

Best Case Scenario: 

The loss to Wisconsin is a big one and will likely keep Ohio State from winning the Big Ten outright. Even if the Buckeyes beat Iowa, which is no certainty, it will likely come down to who ranks highest between OSU, Wisconsin and MSU. A win against the Hawkeyes should win that that tiebreaker in the rankings. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Penn State, Iowa and Michigan are still on the schedule and Ohio State needs to win all three games. Lose one and the chance to win the Big Ten is over, lose a couple and the chance to go to a BCS bowl is over. 

10. LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 16: Mascot Mike the Tiger of the Louisiana State University Tigers performs during the game against the McNeese State Cowboys at Tiger Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Best Case Scenario: 

LSU has to get through Alabama first and foremost for this season to be any sort of a success, but after that the road is still bumpy. The Tigers need to beat Arkansas and hope Auburn loses to Georgia and Alabama. Sounds impossible? It almost is. The best LSU should hope for is to win out and get an at-large bid. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Losing to Alabama this weekend puts an end to any hopes of going to a major bowl though, but things could get even worse with a loss at Arkansas in the season finale. That could potentially bump LSU right out of the top 25. 

9. Wisconsin

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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

Best Case Scenario: 

Wisconsin has done all it can to win the Big Ten since losing it's loss to MSU, but as you've guessed by now it's probably going to come down to a three-way tie at the top of the conference. Best case for the Badgers is Iowa beats Ohio State; likely making Wisconsin the highest ranking team in the Big Ten. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Obviously Wisconsin needs to win out to take the Big Ten crown, but the reality is even if that happens the Badgers might just be snubbed. What would be worse would be to lose to either Purdue, Indiana, Michigan, or Northwestern and wonder what could have been. 

8. Oklahoma

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Head coach Bob Stoops of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty

Best Case Scenario: 

Oklahoma, Baylor and Oklahoma State are in a deadlock right now, with who ever wins out taking the Big 12 South; of course things could be complicated if they all go 1-1 against each other. The Sooners best case is beating both the Bears and the Cowboys and taking the division outright. 

Worst Case Scenario:

As you might have guessed, the worst case scenario is to lose. One game would take the Sooners out of the running for the Big 12, but two loses is the ultimate nightmare; and one that could very well happen looking at the remaining schedule. 

7. Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 cheers the Husker faithful after their game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Missouri 31-17. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Im

Best Case Scenario: 

Nebraska's win against Missouri put the Cornhuskers in charge of their own fate. With a very winnable remaining schedule Nebraska should win out and claim the Big 12 North and face either Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Baylor.

Worst Case Scenario:

With Iowa State, Kansas, Texas A&M, and Colorado left on the books, a lose to any of them would be devastating. Not only would Missouri retake the division lead, but the Cornhuskers would almost assuredly be relegated to a second-tier bowl. 

6. Alabama

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Greg McElroy #12 and Nick Saban the Head Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide are pictured during a timeout in the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo b

Best Case Scenario: 

Alabama might have blown it's chance of a perfect season with a loss to South Carolina, but if the Crimson Tide win out, they'll almost assuredly make it to the National Championship. LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn are in the way, as well as a possible rematch with South Carolina. But it's doable nonetheless.

Worst Case Scenario:

The SEC West is tight. There's no room for any error, with a loss to any of the aforementioned teams eliminating Alabama from a chance at the SEC championship. The worst case scenario is to lose a couple times and completely fade out of the picture. 

5. Utah

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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

Best Case Scenario: 

Utah and TCU are two of the last five undefeated teams in the nation and they face each other this weekend. If Utah wins, Notre Dame and BYU still stand in the way of perfection, but those should be wins. Win out and there's no way the Utes can be denied a trip to a BCS bowl. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Only one non-BCS team will be guaranteed a chance to a play in a BCS bowl so going undefeated is critical for Utah, with Boise State ahead of it. Losing to TCU would be bad, but then dropping a second game to either ND or BYU would be a season killer.  

4. Boise State

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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)

Best Case Scenario: 

Boise State has a couple of hurdles remaining with Hawaii and a visit to Nevada, but it would be a bad choice to bet against this team going undefeated. Unfortunately the Broncos probably won't go to the championship game even then; an automatic bid to a BCS bowl is about as good as it's going to get. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Lose just one game and it's over for the Broncos. This team has built it's reputation on the idea that BSU is as good as any team in the BCS conferences. Lose to any of the teams left on the schedule and that logic goes out the window; as do the supporters in the AP and Coaches polls.

3. TCU

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs hands the ball off to Ed Wesley #34 during their game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium October 30, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. TCU won 48-6. (Ph

Best Case Scenario: 

If TCU were to beat 5th ranked Utah, the Frogs might temporary pass Auburn or Oregon for one of the top two spots in the BCS rankings; though they'd never be able to hold it till the end of the year. If TCU wins out though, the automatic bid for a non-BCS school is likely going to the Frogs. 

Worst Case Scenario:

Like Utah and Boise State, one loss and it's all over. That's the problem with playing in conferences like the MWC. To be considered on the big stage, you have to be perfect. Utah is really the only remaining team TCU has a shot of losing to; that's got to be considered the realistic worst case scenario. 

2. Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers huddles the offense against the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Best Case Scenario: 

Auburn's course from here is a simple one. Win out and a trip to the BCS championship game is assured. Of course to do that the Tigers need to beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl and then win the SEC championship game. 

Worst Case Scenario:

A loss to Alabama would likely result in someone other than Auburn winning the SEC West, but that isn't the real worst case scenario. What about getting upset by Georgia the week before and then going into the Iron Bowl on a down note and finishing the year on a two-game losing streak; it doesn't get worse. 

1. Oregon

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates his touchdown with Mark Asper #79 and Ramsen Golpashin #70 for a 43-32 lead over the USC Trojans during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 20

Best Case Scenario: 

Oregon has been perfect so far, but there's still work to be done. Arizona is the last ranked team still to be played and the only team that poses a legitimate threat to the Ducks. That game has to be a win; if it is then Oregon wins the Pac-10 and goes to the national championship. 

Worst Case Scenario:

While Arizona stands as the last true test for Oregon, Washington, Cal and Oregon State aren't automatic wins either. It wouldn't be too shocking if the Ducks lost any of those games. A loss to Arizona would mean losing the Pac-10 most likely, but two loses would assuredly result in such.