BCS Rankings Week 12 Predictions: How This Week's Games Will Blow Up the Ranking
BCS Rankings Week 12 Predictions are what we're here to discuss on this fine Thursday afternoon.
As always, there are a boatload of critical matchups this week that could play a huge part in the BCS picture at the end of the season.
College football fans will be treated to a few contests between top 25 teams as well as some big games featuring teams just outside the rankings.
So how will the top 25 of the BCS standings look when this week is all said and done?
Let's take a look.
25. Syracuse Orange
1 of 25
Where They Stood: Syracuse sat just outside the top 25 after a closer-than-expected victory over Rutgers and a loss to Louisville.
Who's the Matchup: The Orange will face Connecticut this week, and the Huskies are coming off a big win over Pittsburgh, but have one of the nation's worst passing offenses (107th).
Why They're Here: Syracuse has the advantage of playing at home this week, so they shouldn't have a problem taking care of UConn.
24. North Carolina State Wolfpack
2 of 25
Where They Stood: NC State was unranked, largely because the Wolfpack haven't gotten consecutive wins since September.
Who's the Matchup: It's a showdown between the top two football programs in North Carolina, UNC and NC State. The Tar Heels have lost two of four games and have struggled to put points on the board, averaging just 25 per game.
Why They're Here: The Wolfpack have to go on the road, but I look for quarterback Russell Wilson to show up with a huge game in a win for NC State to push them into the top 25.
23. Northwestern Wildcats
3 of 25
Where They Stood: I thought for sure that Northwestern would be in the top 25 following a huge win over Iowa, but the Wildcats didn't get enough love from the voters.
Who's the Matchup: Northwestern faces Illinois this week, and the Fighting Illini have given up 105 points the past two weeks, both losses.
Why They're Here: Illinois' passing game and defense has struggled mightily at times, so I don't see Northwestern falling victim to the upset here.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Baylor Bears
4 of 25
Where They Stood: Baylor has plummeted out of the rankings after giving up 97 total points in two straight Big 12 losses.
Who's the Matchup: Baylor will take on Oklahoma at home in what is the Bears' regular season finale. The Sooners are coming off a shellacking of Texas Tech, but have alternated wins and losses their past four games.
Why They're Here: This one will probably be a shootout with two high scoring offenses that like to throw the ball all over the place, but I'm thinking that Robert Griffin shows up big-time this week to give Oklahoma its third loss and climb back into the rankings.
21. Utah Utes
5 of 25
Where They Stood: My, my, how far has Utah fallen? After an 8-0 start, the Utes have been outscored 75-10 in two terrible losses to drop to No. 23 in the standings.
Who's the Matchup: Utah takes on San Diego State, who gave TCU all it could handle last week. The Aztecs are a solid team on both sides of the ball and proved last week that they'll be a tough matchup for every team they face.
Why They're Here: Utah knows it absolutely cannot afford to lose this game, so they'll bounce back after two miserable performances with an impressive victory thanks to quarterback Jordan Wynn.
20. Florida State Seminoles
6 of 25
Where They Stood: After a 6-1 start, Florida State has lost two of its last three games to steadily drop down, then out of the BCS rankings.
Who's the Matchup: The Seminoles take on 7-3 Maryland, who somehow manages to score 31.4 points per game despite having the nation's No. 80 passing and No. 84 rushing attack.
Why They're Here: The Terrapins just can't move the ball that well, which should give that Seminole offense plenty of time on the field to win this game and give Florida State a big boost in the polls.
19. Oklahoma Sooners
7 of 25
Where They Stood: Oklahoma stood at No. 14 in the BCS rankings after a 38-point beatdown of Texas Tech last week.
Who's the Matchup: The Sooners will face Baylor, which has one of the few offenses in the Big 12 that can match Oklahoma's firepower. Landry Jones vs. Robert Griffin should be one heck of a quarterback battle.
Why They're Here: I've got Oklahoma being upset by an unranked team. That translates to a five-spot drop in the polls.
18. Nevada Wolfpack
8 of 25
Where They Stood: Nevada stood at No. 18 in the polls after a 9-1 start playing in a weak WAC conference.
Who's the Matchup: The Wolfpack takes on New Mexico State this week, which is one of the worst schools in the country and is terrible in just about every facet of the game.
Why They're Here: It's going to be hard to impress the voters with anything less than a monster blowout, but I think too many teams around them will turn in impressive performances for them to move up at all.
17. South Carolina Gamecocks
9 of 25
Where They Stood: South Carolina was ranked 17th last week after a 22-point victory over Florida in the Swamp, but the Gamecocks haven't looked all that great since upsetting then-No. 1 Alabama.
Who's the Matchup: The Gamecocks will take on Troy this week, and the Trojans boast a pretty good passing and scoring offense on paper, but benefit from playing in the terrible Sun Belt conference.
Why They're Here: South Carolina should have a decisive victory, but a win won't be much of a resume booster.
16. Iowa Hawkeyes
10 of 25
Where They Stood: Iowa has been brought back to Earth a little bit after that blowout win over Michigan State, losing against Northwestern to drop to No. 20 in the rankings.
Who's the Matchup: The Hawkeyes have a mammoth Big Ten showdown with Ohio State this week, and this game should provide an excellent quarterback battle between Ricky Stanzi and Terrelle Pryor.
Why They're Here: Iowa has the advantage of playing most of their tough games at home, including this one. I look for Stanzi to outplay Pryor, and the Hawkeyes to shoot up four spots following the win.
15. Virginia Tech Hokies
11 of 25
Where They Stood: Virginia Tech has erased all memories of that loss to James Madison, winning eight straight games to soar to No. 16 in the rankings.
Who's the Matchup: The Hokies will take on Miami, and the Hurricanes will be without Jacory Harris for their third straight game. But, Miami is coming off an impressive 25-point victory over Georgia Tech on the road.
Why They're Here: I don't see anyone slowing down Tyrod Taylor, Darren Evans and that Hokie offense. They'll pick up a nice victory here and jump up one spot in the rankings.
14. Missouri Tigers
12 of 25
Where They Stood: Missouri finds itself at No. 15 after losing two of its last three games, including a poor showing against Texas Tech.
Who's the Matchup: The Tigers take on Iowa State, and the Cyclones have been a mixed bag this season, taking Nebraska to overtime, but getting destroyed by Oklahoma, Utah and lowly Colorado.
Why They're Here: Missouri won't fall victim to the upset bug, but a win over a 5-6 Iowa State team that's lost two straight games isn't impressing anyone.
13. Ohio State Buckeyes
13 of 25
Where They Stood: Ohio State found itself at No. 9 in the polls after a comeback victory over Penn State that pushed the Buckeyes to 9-1.
Who's the Matchup: The Buckeyes have a very tough test against Iowa on the road. The Hawkeyes defense ranks 7th in the nation in scoring and has given up just 36 total points in their last three games.
Why They're Here: Terrelle Pryor will struggle in a tough environment, and the Buckeyes will lose their second conference game of the season.
12. Arkansas Razorbacks
14 of 25
Where They Stood: Arkansas was at No. 13 in the standings after rebounding with four straight victories following a disappointing 4-2 start.
Who's the Matchup: Arkansas has a huge SEC game against Mississippi State this week, and the Bulldogs are coming off their first loss in seven games after getting manhandled by Alabama last week. Mississippi State boasts a top 20 rushing offense and the No. 15 scoring defense.
Why They're Here: Arkansas' offense has looked close to unstoppable recently, scoring 196 in their last four games. They'll take it to the Bulldogs this week and add a nice win to their resume.
11. Michigan State Spartans
15 of 25
Where They Stood: Michigan State was once a top-five team, but sits at No. 12 following a bad loss to Iowa a couple of weeks ago, its first of the season.
Who's the Matchup: The Spartans take on Purdue, and the Boilermakers bring terrible offense to a new level. They average just 17.4 points per game and have scored 39 total points in their last four contests.
Why They're Here: The Spartans should roll easily in this one, but it won't be enough to make a significant jump in the rankings.
10. Stanford Cardinal
16 of 25
Where They Stood: Stanford stood at No. 6 after its ninth-ranked scoring offense got it out to a 9-1 start, with the team's lone loss coming against No. 1 Oregon.
Who's the Matchup: It'll be the Cardinal against the Golden Bears. California is the only team that's been able to slow down Oregon's offense all season, which could pose problems for Stanford.
Why They're Here: Cal was a millimeter away from pulling off the upset over Oregon last week, but they'll actually do it against Stanford. With the loss, the Cardinal drops four spots to No. 10.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide
17 of 25
Where They Stood: Alabama's got out to a very disappointing 8-2 start, but they did get a solid win on the road against Mississippi State last week to climb to No. 11.
Who's the Matchup: Georgia State. Yeah, seriously.
Why They're Here: The Crimson Tide should win by at least 50 points this week, so they'll climb up two spots thank to some movement at the top.
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys
18 of 25
Where They Stood: Oklahoma State was the No. 10 team in all the land thanks to three straight wins following their only loss of the season (against Nebraska).
Who's the Matchup: The Cowboys will take on a terrible 3-7 Kansas team that gives up 15 points more per game than it scores.
Why They're Here: Brandon Weeden, Kendall Hunter and Justin Blackmon will go off in a route over the Jayhawks.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers
19 of 25
Where They Stood: Nebraska has to be wondering what could have been. The Cornhuskers are at No. 8 with their lone loss on the season coming to a terrible Texas team.
Who's the Matchup: It'll be Nebraska vs. Texas A&M. The Aggies have been revived since a mid-season quarterback change, winning four straight games in impressive fashion after a three-game losing streak.
Why They're Here: This will be a close one, but Nebraska has gone into tough environments and won before, so they'll do it again in what could be the game of the week.
6. Wisconsin Badgers
20 of 25
Where They Stood: Wisconsin was the No. 7 team in all of college football off the strength of two impressive victories over Iowa and Ohio State.
Who's the Matchup: The Badgers will travel to Michigan to take on the Wolverines, and they'll have to find a way to stop Dernard Robinson, who's still one of the nation's most dynamic quarterbacks.
Why They're Here: Wisconsin will take care of Michigan, but with only one team ranked ahead of them (Stanford) slipping up the Badgers will move up just one spot.
5. LSU Tigers
21 of 25
Where They Stood: LSU has a firm spot at No. 5 in the rankings with four wins over top-25 opponents and its only loss coming against No. 2 Auburn.
Who's the Matchup: Ole Miss. The Tigers will have to deal with the Rebels 14th-ranked rushing attack, but also catch a break against a Mississippi defense that gives up 34.8 points per game.
Why They're Here: The Tigers take care of business at home, but they're not jumping anyone in front of them.
4. Boise State Broncos
22 of 25
Where They Stood: Undefeated Boise State has found a steady spot at No. 4 in the rankings.
Who's the Matchup: The Broncos will take on WAC rival Fresno State, who was one point away from upsetting Nevada last week, and puts up nearly 35 points per game.
Why They're Here: Boise State doesn't lose on the Smurf Turf, so they'll take care of business. They'll stay behind TCU for at least another week, though.
3. TCU Horned Frogs
23 of 25
Where They Stood: TCU is lurking at No. 3, just waiting to take advantage of a loss by TCU or Oregon.
Who's the Matchup: The Horned Frogs play 1-9 New Mexico, which scores 16.6 points but gives up more than 42 points per game.
Why They're Here: TCU should win by 50-plus, but the only way they're moving up is if the Ducks or Tigers bite the dust.
2. Auburn Tigers
24 of 25
Where They Stood: After spending a brief period at the top of the rankings, Auburn has a stranglehold on the No. 2 spot.
Who's the Matchup: No game for the Tigers this week, but they will be preparing for a monster showdown with Alabama to finish off their regular season.
Why They're Here: With no game, this is the worst spot they'll be in after this week.
1. Oregon Ducks
25 of 25
Where They Stood: The Ducks found themselves still the No. 1 team in the nation after avoiding an upset by Cal to remain undefeated.
Who's the Matchup: It's a huge test for Oregon this week as they take on Arizona. The Wildcats have lost two straight, but they have a prolific passing attack and a defense that limits its opponents to just 18.1 points per game.
Why They're Here: The Ducks will respond from that close call last week with a statement victory over Arizona. The only way they drop is with a loss, and I don't see that happening.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
