BCS Rankings Week 11: Predicting How this Week's Games Will Blow Up the Rankings
With college football’s slate of games set to kick off tonight, it’s time to make some BCS rankings Week 11 projections.
While there aren’t a lot of huge games this week, there are still plenty of matchups that could see the standings shuffle quite a bit.
Teams in the middle of the pack and near the bottom of the rankings are squaring off against one another this weekend, while many of college football’s best teams are playing trap games against opponents fully capable of scoring the upset.
How will things shake out this week? Let’s take a look.
25. Michigan Wolverines
1 of 25
Where They Stood: The Wolverines were unranked in this week’s BCS standings after another squeaker against Illinois last week.
Who’s the Matchup: Michigan squares off against a plucky Purdue team fully capable of pulling the upset against the visiting Wolverines. Michigan’s defense is letting even lackluster opponents put up big points on them, and the Boilers have enough talent to make this one a fight.
Why They’re Here: While Purdue looks capable of staging an upset, Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is just as capable of single-handedly preventing one. He’s too much for the Boilermakers to contain, and the Wolverines score a win and a place in the top 25.
24. Florida State Seminoles
2 of 25
Where They Stood: The Seminoles were unranked following back-to-back losses to North Carolina State and North Carolina.
Who’s the Matchup: The Seminoles face another tough opponent in the Clemson Tigers. Running back Andre Ellington and quarterback Kyle Parker keep the Tigers offense balanced, but the defense has been subpar all season long.
Why They’re Here: Florida State is a much better team than Clemson, with or without senior quarterback Christian Ponder. They should be able to score a win over the Tigers at home and claw their way back into the top 25.
23. Baylor Bears
3 of 25
Where They Stood: The Bears were unranked in this week’s BCS standings after last week’s blowout loss to Oklahoma State.
Who’s the Matchup: The Texas A&M Aggies have alternated between looking fantastic and looking terrible in 2010, but the offense has been explosive throughout the year behind quarterback Jerrod Johnson. If the defense could find some consistency, the Aggies could have been contenders. Instead, they’ll have to settle for trying to spoil the Bears’ Big 12 title hopes.
Why They’re Here: A big win over a good team means Baylor finds itself back in the standings this week.
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22. Mississippi State Bulldogs
4 of 25
Where They Stood: The Bulldogs currently sit 19th in the BCS standings.
Who’s the Matchup: The Alabama Crimson Tide were national title favorites at the start of the regular season. With a balanced offense, led by a seemingly unstoppable running game, a defense that still ranks as one of football’s best and one of the better head coaches in college football in Nick Saban, ‘Bama poses a serious threat to the Bulldog’s 7-2 record.
Why They’re Here: Mississippi State has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2010 season, but they just don’t have the weapons to keep up with the Crimson Tide. Still, they’ll play Alabama close, as they have just about everyone this season, and won’t take that big of a hit in the standings.
21. South Carolina Gamecocks
5 of 25
Where They Stood: South Carolina sat in 23rd in this week’s BCS standings, sliding after a 41-20 shellacking at the hands of Arkansas.
Who’s the Matchup: The Gamecocks get the Florida Gators, one of the teams they need to leapfrog in the BCS standings. Florida’s been playing better in recent weeks, but they’re still not the team they were during the Tim Tebow era. But South Carolina has struggled on the road, while the Gators thrive at the swamp.
Why They’re Here: They’ll be in a battle till the bitter end. Ultimately, I think the Gamecocks offense led by running back Marcus Lattimore and quarterback Stephen Garcia will be too much for the Gators to handle in this one, so South Carolina keeps their spot.
20. Nevada Wolfpack
6 of 25
Where They Stood: The Wolfpack enter this weekend’s games ranked 21st in the nation with an 8-1 record.
Who’s the Matchup: The Fresno State Bulldogs are once again in the ranks of the good, but not great, teams in college football. Their offense is fully capable of lighting up the scoreboard with quarterback Ryan Colburn at the helm, and the defense is good enough to keep them in games, although they do allow plenty of points.
Why They’re Here: Another step up for the Wolfpack, who have one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country in Colin Kaepernick. Running back Vai Taua is a bruising runner who’s racked up over 1,000 yards this season. In short, Nevada’s got too many weapons to lose to the Bulldogs, and should continue their slow climb back up the polls.
19. Virginia Tech Hokies
7 of 25
Where They Stood: The Hokies sat 20th in the most recent BCS standings, but are slowly gaining steam after that abysmal start, having won seven straight games.
Who’s the Matchup: The North Carolina Tar Heels have failed to live up to expectations in 2010, due to numerous academic and eligibility issues. But the Tar Heels are still a strong team behind senior quarterback T.J. Yates. However, with so many defensive stars ineligible, Carolina has been extremely vulnerable to good offenses.
Why They’re Here: The Hokies are too talented to lose to the Tar Heels in this one, behind quarterback Tyrod Taylor, running back Darren Evans and a defense that has begun to find itself after early-season foibles. Look for Virginia Tech to climb this week.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys
8 of 25
Where They Stood: The Cowboys were ranked 10th in the BCS standings prior to this weekend’s slate.
Who’s the Matchup: A reeling Texas Longhorns team, losers of four of their last five games. However, the one win was over a fantastic Nebraska team, so you know what they can do. The Longhorns defense is still strong, and if the offense finds some consistency, good things will follow.
Why They’re Here: The Cowboys are good, but perhaps not as good as people seem to think they are. Even in a down year, Longhorns Stadium is one of college football’s toughest venues to visit, and Oklahoma State hasn’t had a road test yet. Look for Texas to stage the upset.
17. Arizona Wildcats
9 of 25
Where They Stood: The Wildcats ranked 18th in the most recent BCS polls after their loss to Stanford.
Who’s the Matchup: The USC Trojans, a high-octane team that loves to get into high-scoring games with their opponents. Which is good, because the Trojans defense can’t stop anyone. Still, they’ve got a puncher’s chance, and they’re good enough to be ranked were it not for that pesky postseason ban.
Why They’re Here: The Wildcats offense is getting back to speed with the return of quarterback Nick Foles, and their defense, combined with home-field advantage, will be enough to take out the Trojans and claw up the standings.
16. Missouri Tigers
10 of 25
Where They Stood: Mizzou was ranked 17th in last week’s BCS standings.
Who’s the Matchup: The Kansas State Wildcats pay the Tigers a visit this week. Kansas State’s offense is led by running back Daniel Thomas and quarterback Carson Coffman. The Wildcats have struggled away from home in 2010, but still pose a stern test to Mizzou.
Why They’re Here: It’s not going to be a blowout, or even a comfortable win, but expect Mizzou to get the win they need to continue climbing back up the standings.
15. Utah Utes
11 of 25
Where They Stood: The Utes ranked 14th in the latest BCS standings after their drubbing at the hands of TCU.
Who’s the Matchup: Notre Dame. It’s been a tough season for the Irish, with losses to Navy and Tulsa and the death of Declan Sullivan, a student who was videotaping the games. The defense has struggled with consistency from play to play, much less game to game, and the offense hasn’t looked the same since quarterback Dayne Crist was lost for the season. Still, the game is at Notre Dame Stadium, and the Irish love to give the home fans a show.
Why They’re Here: The Irish will push the Utes right to the brink, but Utah’s got just enough talent to stave off the upset bid. Still, it won’t be enough to keep them from slipping a spot in the standings.
14. Oklahoma Sooners
12 of 25
Where They Stood: The Sooners were ranked 15th in the nation heading into this weekend’s action.
Who’s the Matchup: The Texas Tech Red Raiders have been up and down in 2010. Their offense is stellar behind quarterback Taylor Potts, but the defense is atrocious, ranking 92nd in points allowed.
Why They’re Here: The Sooners have enough weapons to win this one going away, and the fact that the game’s in Norman gives them a boost. Look for them to jump the Utes on the strength of their victory.
13. Arkansas Razorbacks
13 of 25
Where They Stood: The Razorbacks stood 15th in the most recent BCS poll by virtue of their rout of South Carolina.
Who’s the Matchup: The UTEP Miners don’t pose a huge threat to the Hogs as long as Arkansas doesn’t overlook them. The Miners defense struggles against high-octane offenses, but they can put up points of their own, and will have a puncher’s chance against the Razorbacks soft defense.
Why They’re Here: A win for Arkansas sees them jump two spots in the standings as Ryan Mallett leads the Razorbacks offense to a huge day.
12. Iowa Hawkeyes
14 of 25
Where They Stood: The Hawkeyes were ranked 13th heading into Saturday’s game.
Who’s the Matchup: Iowa travels to take on a tough Northwestern team. The Wildcats are led by quarterback Dan Persa, and probably should be 7-2, but choked away a win over Michigan State. The offense is solid, the defense is decent and the Hawkeyes are on the road, which is big trouble.
Why They’re Here: Despite the upset bid by Northwestern, look for the Hawkeyes to snag another win to come closer to a potential BCS bid. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi will pick apart the Wildcats defense and keep Iowa with just two losses.
11. Michigan State Spartans
15 of 25
Where They Stood: The Spartans sit 11th in the most recent standings.
Who’s the Matchup: Michigan State is on bye this week.
Why They’re Here: With no game, the Spartans shouldn’t lose ground, although Iowa could jump them.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide
16 of 25
Where They Stood: Alabama sat 12th in the most recent BCS standings.
Who’s the Matchup: The Mississippi State Bulldogs are one of the big overachievers of 2010. Their defense is superb, their offense is just effective enough and they play everyone close.
Why They’re Here: The Crimson Tide should come out of this one with a win and jump a couple of places in the rankings in the process.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes
17 of 25
Where They Stood: The Buckeyes sit ninth in the most recent standings.
Who’s the Matchup: A Penn State team who can’t make up their minds whether they’re good or not. With newly appointed starting quarterback Matt McGloin, the Nittany Lions offense could be great, or could be as inconsistent as ever. The big key is the running game. Senior back Evan Royster has struggled all season, and Penn State will need him to figure it out if they want to pull the upset.
Why They’re Here: Ohio State is too good this season to lose to Penn State, especially at home. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor will keep the Buckeyes in the race, but they won’t move up in the standings.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
18 of 25
Where They Stood: Nebraska sat eighth in the BCS standings heading into this weekend’s games.
Who’s the Matchup: The Kansas Jayhawks have made this rivalry interesting in recent seasons, but not this year. The Huskers are too talented, and the Jayhawks too inconsistent to pull the stunner, especially in Lincoln.
Why They’re Here: Nebraska wins, but gets stuck behind the logjam ahead of them and stands pat.
7. Wisconsin Badgers
19 of 25
Where They Stood: The Badgers sat seventh in last week’s BCS standings.
Who’s the Matchup: The Indiana Hoosiers have yet to win a game in Big Ten play this year, although they’ve come close. With their potent offense, they have a puncher’s chance in this one.
Why They’re Here: Wisconsin should have little trouble dispatching the Hoosiers and their awful defense in Madison, but the logjam ahead of them keeps them seventh.
6. LSU Tigers
20 of 25
Where They Stood: The Tigers ranked fifth in the most recent BCS polls.
Who’s the Matchup: The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. Who just lost to Florida International. If LSU loses this one, they should fall out of the top 25.
Why They’re Here: They’ll get their win, but the polls will punish them for playing a subpar opponent, just as they punished TCU and Boise State. The Bayou Bengals slip a spot.
5. Stanford Cardinal
21 of 25
Where They Stood: The Cardinal ranked sixth in last week’s standings.
Who’s the Matchup: The Arizona State Sun Devils, who can throw the ball as well as anyone in the country. Too bad they can’t stop anyone from doing the same.
Why They’re Here: Stanford should get their win and move up a spot in the rankings from the road victory.
4. Boise State Broncos
22 of 25
Where They Stood: The Smurf Turfers stand fourth in the current BCS poll.
Who’s the Matchup: The Idaho Vandals host the Broncos in the in-state rivalry battle. The Vandals aren’t the doormats they have been in previous years, and if Boise sleeps on them, Idaho could make them pay.
Why They’re Here: The Broncos haven’t slept on anyone all season, and if you think Chris Pederson won’t have his guys ready to go, you’re kidding yourself. Still, look for Boise to stand pat in the standings.
3. TCU Horned Frogs
23 of 25
Where They Stood: TCU sat in third in the most recent BCS standings.
Who’s the Matchup: The San Diego State Aztecs pose the last real threat to the Horned Frogs’ undefeated season, even on the road. Quarterback Ryan Lindley and running back Ronnie Hillman lead an explosive offense. If the defense can hang tough, the Aztecs could shock the world.
Why They’re Here: SDSU could beat the Horned Frogs, but they won’t. TCU feels like a team on a mission this season, and they should win this one easily. While they won’t rise in the rankings, you can bet the gap between the Horned Frogs and Auburn will shrink.
2. Auburn Tigers
24 of 25
Where They Stood: The Tigers currently sit second in the BCS standings.
Who’s the Matchup: Georgia. This one is much tougher than it looks. The Bulldogs are motivated and have been playing well in recent weeks. Quarterback Aaron Murray and running back Washaun Ealey have been excellent, and wideout A.J. Green has given Georgia the boost they needed. Expect them to give Auburn everything they can handle.
Why They’re Here: Cam Newton will save Auburn’s bacon again in this one, helping them squeak through the upset bid to set up a clash with Alabama. They won’t move, but their lead over third-ranked TCU will shrink.
1. Oregon Ducks
25 of 25
Where They Stood: The Ducks were the top-ranked team in the BCS standings.
Who’s the Matchup: Oregon travels to face a Cal team that has yet to lose in Berkeley in 2010, and have blown all of their home opponents out of the water.
Why They’re Here: It won’t matter how good the Golden Bears were before this game at home; the Ducks will run roughshod over them and maintain their top ranking.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
