BCS Rankings Week 12: Breaking Down All 25 Teams in the Fifth BCS Standings
The games are bigger and the stakes are much higher now.
The latest BCS standings came out Sunday night, but lots can still happen for teams in the top spots, with rivalry games and conference championships still looming. A loss or two by any in the top 10 will, of course, send the rankings into complete chaos. Don't be surprised if the debate continues to rage about whether TCU or Boise State deserves a spot in the BCS national championship game.
Are there any potholes looming? Are there any chances for a big shift upwards?
So glad you asked.
Time for some clarity on the issue. So let's go from the bottom to the top and dissect the rankings:
25. Florida State (7-3)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Seminoles weren't ranked in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Maryland
How They Can Climb: Beat the Terrapins. Pretty simple.
How They Can Fall: It will be a brief stay in the rankings if Florida State loses this weekend. There's no reason they should lose on Nov. 27 to a Florida team that's definitely going through a down year.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Not ranked.
24. Miami (7-3)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Hurricanes were unranked in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 vs. Virginia Tech
How They Can Climb: It all depends on this weekend. Beat the Hokies, ranked 16th in the BCS, and Miami would get a big boost.
How They Can Fall: Lose this weekend, then lose the grudge match with South Florida on Nov. 27, and the Hurricanes will disappear and wind up in a lower, second-tier bowl game.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 20th.
23. Utah (8-2)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Utes fell from 14th after a 28-3 loss to Notre Dame.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ San Diego State
How They Can Climb: Utah needs to win out and avoid upsets against San Diego State on Nov. 20 and BYU on Nov. 27. They could also get a boost if Iowa State knocks off Missouri (15th in BCS) this Saturday. Utah beat Iowa State 68-27 on Oct.9.
How They Can Fall: Saturday's game has all the makings of an upset. San Diego State is much improved this year, and it almost knocked off TCU on Saturday.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 21st.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Arizona (7-3)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Wildcats were 18th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 26th @ Oregon
How They Can Climb: That's a no-brainer: Do what Cal couldn't last weekend, and knock off the Ducks.
How They Can Fall: Lose to the Ducks and be competitive, and the Wildcats shouldn't tumble out of the rankings. But a blowout and a loss to Arizona State on Dec.2 would be disastrous.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 22nd.
21. Mississippi State (7-3)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Bulldogs were 19th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 vs. Arkansas
How They Can Climb: Beat the Razorbacks. Arkansas is 13th in the BCS, so that could definitely earn the Bulldogs a big boost.
How They Can Fall: Mississippi State needs to win out, which includes beating Ole Miss on Nov. 27 in Oxford. The Rebels aren't the same this year, but it is a big-time rivalry.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 23rd.
20. Iowa (7-3)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Hawkeyes fell from 13th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 vs. Ohio State
How They Can Climb: Beating the Buckeyes certainly won't hurt. After last week's 21-17 upset loss to Northwestern, it will be interesting to see if Iowa regroups and plays to its potential.
How They Can Fall: Lose this week and the fall will continue for a team that had big-time expectations to begin the season.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Not ranked.
19. Texas A&M (7-3)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Aggies were 25th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 vs. Nebraska
How They Can Climb: Texas A&M needs to win out. It could easily keep moving up if Oklahoma knocks off Oklahoma State on Nov. 27 and Missouri loses this week to Iowa State.
How They Can Fall: Lose to Nebraska and bank on it. Aggie fans don't even need to contemplate losing to Texas.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 25th.
18. Nevada (9-1)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Wolf Pack was 21st in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 26 vs. Boise State
How They Can Climb: Beat the Broncos. Could it happen? Maybe. But so far, Boise State is steamrolling anyone in front of them.
How They Can Fall: If Boise State does what is has been doing, Nevada will plummet.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 24th.
17. South Carolina (7-3)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Gamecocks were 23rd in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Dec. 4 vs. Auburn (SEC championship).
How They Can Climb: Before they head to Atlanta, South Carolina needs to make sure it wins out against Troy and Clemson. But the showdown with Auburn could have the makings of an upset, and it could be a chance for Steve Spurrier to add another conference title to his career.
How They Can Fall: Lose one of these final two games and South Carolina will be lucky to even be ranked at all.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 11th.
16. Virginia Tech (8-2)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Hokies were 20th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Miami
How They Can Climb: The Hokies need to win out, which would be very impressive after beginning 0-2.
How They Can Fall: Certainly a loss this weekend would hurt, but Virginia Tech needs to make sure and not have a sloppy win either.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 13th.
15. Missouri (8-2)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Tigers were 17th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Iowa State
How They Can Climb: Missouri needs to win out, and it could get some additional help if Texas A&M knocks off Nebraska.
How They Can Fall: Lose this weekend. The Cyclones have caused problems for some of the Big 12's best this year, including a 31-30 loss in overtime to Nebraska on Nov.6.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 19th.
14. Oklahoma (8-2)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Sooners were 16th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Baylor
How They Can Climb: The Sooners have a chance to climb big time, with their Bedlam rivalry against Oklahoma State awaiting on Nov. 27. But they better not overlook the Bears.
How They Can Fall: Have a letdown and fail to contain Robert Griffin, and only bad things will follow.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 10th.
13. Arkansas (8-2)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Razorbacks were 15th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 27th vs. LSU
How They Can Climb: The Razorbacks could go up a few notches if they beat Mississippi State this weekend, but they could soar if they win the Battle of the Boot and knock off LSU.
How They Can Fall: If Arkansas overlooks the Bulldogs, they'll be guaranteed to tumble.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 18th.
12. Michigan State (9-1)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Spartans were 11th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 27th @ Penn State
How They Can Climb: Michigan State needs to win out, and it could get some help if Iowa knocks off Ohio State.
How They Can Fall: It would be hard to imagine, but a road trip to Penn State won't be a cakewalk.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 12th.
11. Alabama (8-2)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Crimson Tide was 12th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 26th vs. Auburn
How They Can Climb: Alabama needs to knock off the Tigers in the Iron Bowl, and it will probably root for LSU to lose to Arkansas.
How They Can Fall: It all depends on the Auburn game, and whether it's a blowout or it goes into the final minutes.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 15th.
10. Oklahoma St.
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Cowboys were 10th in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 27th vs. Oklahoma.
How They Can Climb: Beat Oklahoma. This isn't rocket science here.
How They Can Fall: Lose to the Sooners, which is very possible. This is a heated rivalry, and it's always seemed like Oklahoma State has saved its best for this game.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: 16th.
9. Ohio State (9-1)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Buckeyes were ninth in last week's BCS rankings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Iowa
How They Can Climb: It will be hard, but the Buckeyes need to win out and hope for some teams above to stumble, especially those with conference title games
How They Can Fall: Lose this weekend, and then to rival Michigan, and Ohio State will definitely fall.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Ninth.
8. Nebraska (9-1)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Cornhuskers were eighth in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Texas A&M
How They Can Climb: Nebraska still has a chance to move up, and it needs to win out, then win the Big 12 championship game.
How They Can Fall: This weekend's trip to Kyle Field could pose problems, and a loss there would drop them for sure.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Eighth.
7. Wisconsin (9-1)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Badgers were seventh in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Michigan
How They Can Climb: The Wolverines will be tough enough, but then Wisconsin closes out against Northwestern, which just knocked off Iowa last week.
How They Can Fall: Neither week will be easy and both games have the potential for upsets.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Seventh.
6. Stanford (9-1)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Cardinal was sixth in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 @ Cal
How They Can Climb: The one way that could happen is if LSU or Auburn stumbles in these last few weeks, which is possible.
How They Can Fall: Lose this weekend to a Bears team that should have knocked off Oregon.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Sixth.
5. LSU (9-1)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Tigers were fifth in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 20 vs. Ole Miss
How They Can Climb: LSU needs to win out, then it needs to hope Alabama knocks off Auburn.
How They Can Fall: Could very well happen this weekend against an Ole Miss team that causes them fits. This is a heated rivalry and Houston Nutt has out-coached Les Miles since he was at Arkansas.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Fifth.
4. Boise State (9-0)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Broncos were fourth in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 26 @ Nevada.
How They Can Climb: Like LSU, Boise State probably will become Crimson Tide fans next week.
How They Can Fall: Any loss would be fatal, but the Broncos need to also worry about style points and continuing to dominate teams.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Fourth.
3. TCU (11-0)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Horned Frogs were third in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 27 @ New Mexico
How They Can Climb: See previous comments. TCU will join the Alabama fan club here in the Top Five.
How They Can Fall: That's not going to happen, especially since New Mexico is arguably one of the worst programs in college football.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Third.
2. Auburn (11-0)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Tigers were second in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov 26 @ Alabama
How They Can Climb: That probably just isn't going to happen. If they win out, an Auburn-Oregon showdown awaits in the BCS national championship.
How They Can Fall: Lose to Alabama, and then South Carolina in the SEC Championship, and a dream season vanishes.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: Second.
1. Oregon (10-0)
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Last Week’s Ranking: The Ducks were first in last week's BCS standings.
Upcoming Games of Note: Nov. 26 vs. Arizona
How They Can Climb: It's about maintaining, which the Ducks can do if they win out.
How They Can Fall: Another sloppy game like last week, and that just may happen. But out of the top two? Very unlikely.
Where I think they'll finish in the BCS: First.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
