BCS Rankings Week 11: Which 10 Teams Are Better Than Current Spot?
BCS Rankings Week 11: Which 10 Teams Are Better Than Current Spot?
The BCS rankings for Week 11 are out, and some of the top 25 teams come as no surprise.
The Oregon Ducks are playing like the best team in the country, and nobody expected them to drop from their No. 1 spot after a big win over Washington.
But some of the other teams in the top 25 are better than their rankings.
You know when you're watching a team, and you find yourself screaming "Come On!"?
We have them all here.
The teams on this list may have slipped up along the way, but we all know they're better than that.
10. Stanford
1 of 10
BCS Rank: 6
How They Got There: The Stanford Cardinal looked like the team to beat in the Pac 10 until a loss to the Oregon Ducks sent them packing from their top 10 spot.
Why They're Better Than That: Stanford may have one loss to the Ducks, but they have been extremely impressive in every other game they've played.
Andrew Luck is a phenomenal quarterback, and the Cardinal has defeated some very strong teams in Arizona and USC.
How They Can Move Up: Unfortunately, Stanford has probably reached their highest spot in the BCS rankings this year, but if they can win out (and if a top five team stumbles), we could see them break the top five.
9. Michigan State
2 of 10
BCS Rank: 11
How They Got There: The Michigan State Spartans surprised the world of college football when they started their season 8-0 and remained the only undefeated team in the Big Ten heading into Week 9. But then they suffered a devastating 37-6 loss at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes and fell out of the top 10.
Why They're Better Than That: Aside from that loss to Iowa, the Spartans have rolled through their competition defeating two ranked Big Ten teams in Wisconsin and Michigan back-to-back.
How They Can Move Up: The Spartans have played all their big games already this season, so they will have to hope that Ohio State loses to Penn State or Michigan down the road.
And winning out wouldn't hurt.
8. Arizona
3 of 10
BCS Rank: 18
How They Got There: The Arizona Wildcats were another team that came out swinging this season, and they pulled off a huge upset over No. 9 Iowa in Week 3. But losses to Oregon State and Stanford have pushed the Wildcats further down the rankings.
Why They're Better Than That: Arizona had some tough tests throughout the season, but a 7-2 record is nothing to laugh at.
How They Can Move Up: The Wildcats need to defeat the giant that is Oregon in late November, and it will be no easy task. But if Arizona can pull off the upset, they will see themselves moving back up in the rankings.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. LSU
4 of 10
BCS Rank: 5
How They Got There: LSU remained undefeated until they took on the Auburn Tigers in Week 8, but then they went on to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide this past weekend.
Why They're Better Than That: LSU has played six different teams that have been ranked at some point this season, and they defeated five of them.
How They Can Move Up: The Tigers need to win out (which will include defeating a strong Arkansas team), and they will need to hope the Crimson Tide can upset Auburn at the end of the season.
6. Mississippi State
5 of 10
BCS Rank: 19
How They Got There: The Bulldogs had a tough start to the season with back-to-back losses to Auburn and LSU, but they have been climbing ever since.
Why They're Better Than That: Mississippi State has won six games in a row since that 29-7 loss to LSU, and that includes a win over a solid Florida team.
How They Can Move Up: This Saturday, the Bulldogs will come off a bye to visit the Alabama Crimson Tide, and if they can get the win on the road, they wills surely move on up the rankings.
5. Florida
6 of 10
BCS Rank: 22
How They Got There: The Gators were ranked No. 7 in the country when they went to visit the Alabama Crimson Tide, and that loss seemed to really take the wind out of their sails. Florida then went on to lose two more in a row to LSU and Mississippi State.
Why They're Better Than That: Florida has a great coach in Urban Meyer, and the Gators just need some time to establish an identity on offense after losing Tim Tebow.
How They Can Move Up: The Gators need to win out, and it they can stomp South Carolina on Saturday, they could compete for an SEC Championship.
4. Ohio State
7 of 10
BCS Rank: 9
How They Got There: The Buckeyes became the No. 1 team in the country after the Alabama Crimson Tide lost to South Carolina, but that turned out to be short-lived. A tough loss on the road to the Wisconsin Badgers dethroned the No. 1 team in the country for the second week in a row, and the Buckeyes were knocked down pretty far.
Why They're Better Than That: Ohio State has the best defense in the Big Ten, and the Buckeyes have been rolling over all of their competition.
How They Can Move Up: The Buckeyes will have to win every game left on their schedule, and defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes will be a tough one. Another plus for Ohio State could come from a Penn State win over Michigan State-as long as the Buckeyes can pull off the win over the Nittany Lions.
3. Nevada
8 of 10
BCS Rank: 21
How They Got There: The Nevada Wolf Pack won six games in a row until they met the Hawaii Warriors. A loss in Week 7 has kept them from moving up in the rankings.
Why They're Better Than That: In the Wolf Pack's last game against the Idaho Vandals, Nevada put up 830 yards of total offense in the 67-17 win. Other than that loss to Hawaii, the Wolf Pack has been absolutely crushing the competition.
How They Can Move Up: Since Nevada finds itself in a weak conference, the only sure way to move up in the BCS rankings is to defeat the Boise State Broncos in two weeks.
2. Oklahoma State
9 of 10
BCS Rank: 10
How They Got There: The Oklahoma State Cowboys started their season 6-0 until a loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. But a big win over the Baylor Bears put them back on top of the Big 12 South, and they are set to climb further into the top 10.
Why They're Better Than That: The Cowboys handled one of the best offenses in the country when they defeated the Baylor Bears 55-28, and they are set to take the Big 12 South and meet the Huskers for a rematch in the Big 12 championship.
How They Can Move Up: Oklahoma State will have to win out (which will include a victory over Oklahoma) and hope that Baylor does the same.
1. Alabama
10 of 10
BCS Rank: 12
How They Got There: The Alabama Crimson Tide won last season's BCS National Championship, and they started this season as the No. 1 team in the country. Even after a loss to South Carolina, the Tide has been inching its way back into contention for this year's championship, but last Saturday's loss to LSU crushed those hopes.
Why They're Better Than That: The Tide has had the misfortune of some tough matchups this season, but they still have one of the best defenses in college football.
Plus, they did win a national title last season.
How They Can Move Up: One word: Auburn.
If the Tide can roll over the Auburn Tigers, Alabama has a shot at moving back up in the BCS rankings.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
