BCS Rankings Week 14: How Far Do TCU, Wisconsin Rise as LSU, Boise State Lose
The BCS rankings for Week 14 are going to look absolutely nothing like the rankings for Week 13.
Indeed, it's already been quite a weekend. Auburn pulled off an amazing comeback against Alabama in the Iron Bowl, Oregon found their offense again in the second half against Arizona, and Boise State crashed and burned in Reno to end their BCS championship aspirations.
And now, No. 5 LSU has gone down as well. So, honestly, who knows?
Well, we think we do. Here's what the Top 25 might look like tomorrow evening.
25. Arizona Wildcats
1 of 25
Current Rank: 21
Why They're Here
Arizona dropped its third in a row with their loss to Oregon in Autzen Stadium on Friday night. But they'll get the benefit of the doubt from the voters because they actually had a halftime lead in that game, and the computers won't knock them out of the Top 25, either. So they'll drop four spots to No. 25 and be thankful for it.
24. Northern Illinois Huskies
2 of 25
Current Rank: Unranked
Why They're Here
The losses by NC State and Iowa will open up two spots in the Top 25, and Northern Illinois will grab one of them. The Huskies beat Eastern Michigan, 71-3, on Friday to win their ninth in a row. They're sitting just outside the Top 25 in the human polls, so it would follow that they would find their way into the BCS Top 25. Cheers.
23. West Virginia Mountaineers
3 of 25
Current Rank: Unranked
Why They're Here
The Mountaineers still need some help from UConn if they want to win the Big East, but they do boast the best record in the conference at 8-3. And because they're sitting just outside the Top 25 in the human polls, they will also get a boost into the BCS Top 25, and will be ahead of Northern Illinois by virtue of playing in a BCS conference.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
22. Mississippi State Bulldogs
4 of 25
Current Rank: 25
Why They're Here
The Bulldogs defeated Ole Miss, 31-23, and improved their record to 8-4. Because so many teams ahead of them went down, they should be able to sneak up to No. 22.
21. Utah Utes
5 of 25
Current Rank: 20
Why They're Here
The Utes pulled off a comeback win against BYU today, as they overcame a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to win, 17-16. But a one-point win over a .500 team won't do them too many favors, and they'll drop a spot to make room for the ACC Atlantic winner.
20. Florida State Seminoles
6 of 25
Current Rank: 22
Why They're Here
The Seminoles defeated the rival Florida Gators today, 31-7. And when NC State lost to Maryland, Florida State clinched the ACC Atlantic and a date with Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game. That's worth a two-spot boost to No. 20.
19. South Carolina Gamecocks
7 of 25
Current Rank: 18
Why They're Here
The Gamecocks have already won the SEC East, and are now in preparation mode for Auburn. They beat Clemson, 29-7. They actually dropped a spot to No. 18 after they demolished Troy last week, and they'll probably stay there even after the Clemson win.
18. Oklahoma Sooners
8 of 25
Current Rank: 13
Why They're Here
The Sooners are currently battling for the Big 12 South in the Bedlam game with Oklahoma State, and they have the lead as I'm sitting here typing this. But let's say they lose like they're supposed to (they are three-point underdogs, after all). If so, they won't be penalized too harshly for losing to a Cowboys team that could be as high as No. 5, depending on how badly they beat the Sooners. A five-spot fall to No. 18 seems fair.
17. Texas A&M Aggies
9 of 25
Current Rank: 17
Why They're Here
One of this season's best feel-good stories wrapped up their season with a resounding win over Texas, putting an exclamation mark on the Longhorns' miserable season. Unfortunately, the jig is up when it comes to wins over Texas. Neither man nor computer will be impressed enough to boost the Aggies from their No. 17 spot.
16. Alabama Crimson Tide
10 of 25
Current Rank: 11
Why They're Here
The Tide were handed their third loss of the season with Auburn's comeback in the Iron Bowl, and it was a heartbreaking one at that. But as far as third losses are concerned, it was pretty darn good, as they lost to the No. 2 team in the country by just a point. Combined with their SEC reputation, they won't be punished all that badly for it, and will drop five spots to No. 16.
15. Nevada Wolf Pack
11 of 25
Current Rank: 19
Why They're Here
A four-spot reward for dispatching the No. 4 team in the country in thrilling fashion? True, it almost seems like a raw deal, but that's what the Wolf Pack is going to get. Boise State's loss is their loss, too, as it ultimately validates everything people have been saying about the level of competition in the WAC. It sucks, but this is how the world works.
14. Virginia Tech Hokies
12 of 25
Current Rank: 16
Why They're Here
The Hokies easily dispatched rival Virginia in Blacksburg today, securing their 10th win in the row to wrap up a season that saw them start 0-2. Of all the Top 25 teams, they still have the most inexcusable loss under their belts, but are now one of the best two-loss teams by default. They'll jump up to No. 14 thanks to all the calamity that went down in the Top 15 this weekend.
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
13 of 25
Current Rank: 15
Why They're Here
Nebraska wrapped up the Big 12 North with a dominant 45-17 win over Colorado on Friday, and they will benefit by the flurry of losses among teams immediately ahead of them in the rankings for Week 13. They'll move up two spots to No. 13.
12. Missouri Tigers
14 of 25
Current Rank: 14
Why They're Here
The Tigers dominated the Border War against Kansas today, beating the Jayhawks, 35-7. They'll take advantage of other teams' losses to leap up two spots to No. 12.
11. Boise State Broncos
15 of 25
Current Rank: 4
Why They're Here
Boise State just couldn't finish in what was one of the most insane college football games in recent memory, and their national title hopes were scuttled as a result of it. They'll drop a full seven spots to No. 11, and will probably be lucky if they're not lower.
10. LSU Tigers
16 of 25
Current Rank: 5
Why They're Here
The vibes just never seemed right for the Tigers' road tilt with Arkansas, as the Hogs have been incredibly hot over the last month and a half. Lo and behold, the Tigers' mighty effort fell short, although they have very little to be ashamed of with their performance. They'll drop five spots to No. 10.
9. Michigan State Spartans
17 of 25
Current Rank: 10
Why They're Here
The Spartans held off the Penn State Nittany Lions in University Park today and clinched a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 1990. They'll jump a spot to No. 9 thanks to the losses by Boise State and LSU.
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
18 of 25
Current Rank: 12
Why They're Here
The Hogs took care of No. 5 LSU in Little Rock today and may have secured themselves a spot in the Sugar Bowl by doing so. They also claim the title of the best two-loss team in the country, and a four-spot boost to No. 8 would be a just reward for pulling off such a big win.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
19 of 25
Current Rank: 8
Why They're Here
The Buckeyes dismantled Michigan at home today by a final score of 37-7. They also clinched a share of the Big Ten title in the process. They'll move up a spot to No. 8, but won't move any further because what the next team on our list was able to accomplish.
6. Oklahoma State Cowboys
20 of 25
Current Rank: 9
Why They're Here
The Pokes are battling Oklahoma in Stillwater as we speak. They're down right now, but that shouldn't be too much of a hurdle for their offense. If they win, having both a Big 12 South title and a win over the former No. 13 team in the BCS will be able to propel them ahead of Ohio State. They'll settle in at No. 6.
5. Wisconsin Badgers
21 of 25
Current Rank: 7
Why They're Here
Wisconsin destroyed Northwestern at home today by a final score of 70-23. The two-headed monster that is Montee Ball and James White led the Badgers to over 320 rushing yards again, and you could make the case that they have been the most dominant team in the country over the last month or so. They clinched a share of the Big Ten title and will be headed to the Rose Bowl. They'll move up to No. 5 because of the losses by Boise State and LSU.
4. Stanford Cardinal
22 of 25
Current Rank: 6
Why They're Here
The Cardinal beat Oregon State, 38-0. Wisconsin is ahead of them in the human polls, but they will move up thanks primarily to LSU's loss.
3. TCU Horned Frogs
23 of 25
Current Rank: 3
Why They're Here
The Frogs' No. 3 spot was really secured when Nevada upset Boise State Friday night, but they also took care of business today with a 66-17 win over New Mexico. So they stay put, and it looks as they could be playing in the Rose Bowl if things hold true.
2. Auburn Tigers
24 of 25
Current Rank: 2
Why They're Here
Auburn's comeback win over Alabama was definitely one for the books. But to have a case to move up to No. 1, they needed to win by more than a single point. But no matter, they're take their No. 2 ranking into the SEC Championship Game, and will likely take it all the way into the BCS National Championship Game.
1. Oregon Ducks
25 of 25
Current Rank: 1
Why They're Here
Had Oregon pounded an unranked opponent into dust on Friday night, then maybe Auburn's win in the Iron Bowl over former No. 11 Alabama would have been enough to propel them into the No. 1 spot. But Oregon beat a ranked opponent in Arizona and has too much of an advantage with the voters, so they're not going to budge from the top.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
