BCS Rankings Week 11: 10 Teams With the Most To Gain This Week
BCS Rankings Week 11: 10 teams could rise several spots by next Sunday evening.
There are some critical games on Saturday's docket, mainly intra-conference battles.
But even if a team doesn't have a powerhouse on their schedule, they still might be able to climb in the BCS rankings.
Check out this list to find out why.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-4)
1 of 10
BCS: Not Ranked
AP: Not Ranked
Coaches/USA Today: Not Ranked
Next Week: at #16 Oklahoma
In all honesty, a 6-4 team probably shouldn't be ranked in the BCS Standings. But if the Red Raiders manage to beat Oklahoma in Norman next Saturday afternoon, they should be considered for the 25th spot.
If Taylor Potts can lead Texas Tech to a win, it would be the team's second over a team that not so long ago was believed to be the top team in the Big XII. (They defeated Missouri last weekend).
That, coupled with a win over Baylor, gives the Red Raiders a thin shot at cracking the BCS standings.
Kansas State Wildcats (6-3)
2 of 10
BCS: 24th
AP: Not Ranked
Coaches/USA Today: Not Ranked
Next Week: at #17 Missouri
Bill Snyder's team has been through quite a roller coaster in 2010. They started out 4-0, then went through a rough stretch, losing three of four games, although they demolished rival Kansas 59-7 in Lawrence.
And last Saturday they handily defeated the downtrodden Texas Longhorns, 39-14.
Because of their three Big XII losses, they are effectively out of the race for a conference title game. But because they are already ranked in the BCS system, and they travel to Missouri this weekend, they will have to climb if they win next week.
It won't be much, but they'll definitely crack the Top 25 in the AP and Coaches polls and could reach 22nd or 21st in the BCS.
Nevada Wolfpack (8-1)
3 of 10
BCS: 21st
AP: 21st
Coaches/USA Today: 21st
Next Week: at Fresno State
Four "small conference" teams ranked in the Top 25 is probably pushing it: that only leaves 21 spots for the six "major" conferences. But that argument about ratio is for another time.
The Wolfpack are very quietly have a fantastic season. They are one touchdown away (having lost 27-21 at Hawaii) from a perfect season. And although Fresno State isn't currently ranked, they are having a pretty good season as well: Pat Hill's team is 6-2, only losing to Hawaii and at Ole Miss.
If Colin Kaepernick can lead Nevada to another road win over a quality team, they deserve to pull much closer to #14 Utah in the overall BCS rankings.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Penn State Nittany Lions (6-3)
4 of 10
BCS: Not Ranked
AP: Not Ranked
Coaches/USA Today: Not Ranked
Next Week: at #9 Ohio State
JoePa's team is probably much better than their record indicates. They lost at #1 Alabama very early in the season and were beaten pretty badly on the road at Iowa back in early October. But are there two tougher places to play than Tuscaloosa and Iowa City? Not to mention both team's are powerhouses.
Now it's difficult to excuse that home loss to Illinois, but the Nittany Lions have been very good during their current three game, in-conference winning streak.
And if they push it to a fourth straight win, on the road against Terrell Pryor and the formerly #1 Buckeyes, they must crack the Top 25.
And with Michigan State still on the schedule, they have a very, very slim chance to win the Big 10: If that were to happen, it would be an embarrassment for the pollsters if they were unranked this late in the season.
Texas A&M Aggies (6-3)
5 of 10
BCS: 25th
AP: 23rd
Coaches/USA Today: 25th
Next Week: at Baylor
The Aggies have to be pretty miffed at Oklahoma State for crushing Baylor last week, 55-28. Because of that loss, the Bears fell out of the Top 25; had they not, the Aggies could have had a second striaght win over a ranked team.
Regardless, a win at Baylor would be impressive to the voters and should get them up a few places, depending on hos Kansas State and Texas Tech do in their conference battles.
Still, the Aggies will have an even better chance to move up in the BCS a week from Saturday: hey host the Cornhuskers on November 20.
Florida Gators (6-3)
6 of 10
BCS: 22nd
AP: 24th
Coaches/USA Today: 24th
Next Week: vs. #23 South Carolina
They'll never be able to live down the three game losing streak they suffered in the middle of the season. But the Gators appear to be back on track now, after defeating rival Georgia and thumping Vanderbilt.
More importantly, the Gators actually have a legitimate shot at the SEC title now. Because both teams are 4-3 in the conference, whoever wins the "Steve Spurrier Bowl" will just about wrap up the Eastern division of the SEC.
Sure, they'll have an incredibly hard time defeating whomever comes out of the WEst (Auburn, LSU or possibly Alabama), but right now that doesn't matter.
Defeating the Gamecocks will give them a boost inside the Top 20.
South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3)
7 of 10
BCS: 23rd
AP: 22nd
Coaches/USA Today: 22nd
Next Week: at #22 Florida
Just like their opponent on Saturday night, South Carolina has a whole lot to play for this Saturday night in the Swamp. They can take a huge step towards becoming the surprise SEC East champion if the Ol' Ball Coach can defeat his former team.
Essentially the same thing is on the line for both the Gators and Gamecocks, but if Stephen Garcia and company can actually go to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and win, it will be a more impressive victory and they should climb at least five spots.
Arizona Wildcats (7-2)
8 of 10
BCS: 18th
AP: 18th
Coaches/USA Today: 19th
Next Week: Vs. USC
The Wildcats didn't do themselves any favors last Saturday. Losing to Stanford is no scarlet letter, but being crushed by 25 points? They're better than that.
Worse yet, it took a lot of luster off the day after Thanksgiving showdown in Eugene against the likely number one Ducks.
Still, if they can defeat the Trojans next Saturday, it will add to their bowl resume. Sure USC is down this year, and aren't bowl eligible, but they are still USC and defeating them for a second straight season would be impressive. Matt Barkley is having a great season.
Defeating an unranked team usually earns no bump in the BCS standings, but USC as an opponent is a special case.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-2)
9 of 10
BCS: 19th
AP: 17th
Coaches/USA Today: 18th
Next Week: at #12 Alabama
The Bulldogs have the most to gain this weekend. Granted it's been a bit of a down year for the Tide (although their two losses have come in conference, on the road and were by a combined 17 points), but they are still a threat to defeat any team in college football any day of the weeks.
Dan Mullen is at least familiar with Alabama so they should gain a slight boost from that. And Mississippi State already defeated one SEC powerhouse on the road this season, when they went to Florida and upset the Gators.
Obviously, a win over Alabama doesn't make Mississippi State better than LSU or Auburn, but it should make them the third best team in the SEC, at least in terms of BCS rankings.
Auburn Tigers (10-0)
10 of 10
BCS: 2nd
AP: 2nd
Coaches/USA Today: 2nd
Next Week: Vs. Georgia
Yes, the Tigers cannot climb very many spots no matter what they do the rest of the season. But it's virtually impossible to leap over the #1 team in the nation unless that team loses.
But if Auburn really pounds rival Georgia this Saturday, they have a chance to do so. Oregon has to travel to Cal this weekend this week off and if they struggle against he 5-4 Bears, then the Ducks might lose some votes.
As long as Cam Newton and the Tigers thoroughly dominate the Bulldogs from the outset of the game (which Oregon couldn't do last week at home against 3-5 Washington), those few votes should go to Auburn.
Those few precious votes might be very valuable in the next month.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
