BCS Rankings: Power Ranking the Rest of the BCS Contenders
The BCS rankings for Week 14 are out and, as always, there's plenty left to debate about.
Auburn and Oregon flip-flopped in the top two spots while TCU remained in the three spot, meaning the nation's undefeated teams still sit atop the BCS standings.
And, with Stanford virtually guaranteed a BCS berth thanks to a comfortable lead over Wisconsin for the fourth spot, the real scrum remains among a handful of teams competing for the remaining six slots.
So who's going to fill in the blanks? And, perhaps more importantly, which of those teams is the best?
Here, in order from worst to best, are those teams, accompanied by their BCS rankings.
29. Connecticut
1 of 15
The football bonanza that is the Big East may very well be sending UConn to the Orange Bowl.
Well, at least the folks at ESPN headquarters are excited.
To be fair, coach Randy Edsall's Huskies have done enough this season to find themselves atop the standings in the Big East.
With a victory over South Florida, UConn will claim the Big East title and a BCS berth just six years after becoming a full-time member of the conference.
Interestingly enough, UConn could also become the first team to play in a BCS bowl without making the top 25 in the BCS rankings.
24. West Virginia
2 of 15
Should UConn slip up against the South Florida Bulls, West Virginia will be right there to take the Huskies' spot in the Orange Bowl.
The Mountaineers, led by the steady quarterback play of Geno Smith and the spectacular running of Noel Devine, have managed a 4-2 mark in the Big East, with one of their losses coming against UConn.
Some would argue that Bill Stewart's crew is more deserving of a BCS berth by virtue of being the only Big East team ranked in the top 25.
And many would agree with that argument.
21. Florida State
3 of 15
Jimbo Fisher's Seminoles have a shot at playing in the BCS, not that they actually "deserve" it.
With Christian Ponder under center, Florida State snuck its way into the ACC Championship Game with a 6-2 record in conference, thanks in large part to NC State's loss at Maryland.
The 'Noles have an outside shot at defeating Virginia Tech for the ACC title and heading to the Orange Bowl.
But it's a shot, nonetheless.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
19. South Carolina
4 of 15
It took longer than expected, but the Ol' Ball Coach is finally back in the SEC Championship Game.
With more experience coaching for the conference title than anyone in SEC history, Steve Spurrier will have his 18th-ranked Gamecocks ready to go against top-ranked Auburn next Saturday.
Sure, South Carolina will be a significant underdog, but with Stephen Garcia and Marcus Lattimore in the backfield and Spurrier on the sideline, the Tigers can't be too "cocky" in this one, lest they lose their grip on the BCS title.
12. Missouri
5 of 15
Missouri currently sits 12th in the BCS rankings, but without a spot in the Big 12 title game, Gary Pinkel's Tigers are unlikely to play in one of the big-money bowls.
Blaine Gabbert and Co. compiled a 6-2 record in the Big 12—equaling Nebraska's mark in the North but bettered by the Cornhuskers' 31-17 victory over Mizzou.
Nonetheless, Mizzou will likely find itself playing on New Year's Day in some form or fashion.
14. Oklahoma State
6 of 15
Like a true Cinderella, Oklahoma State's carriage to the BCS turned into a pumpkin after its loss to Oklahoma in this year's edition of the Bedlam game.
Even with the loss and without a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game, the Cowboys are still technically eligible for an at-large bid to a BCS bowl.
However, as heartwarming as OSU's story is (nearly winning the Big 12 South when it was picked in the preseason to finish at the bottom of the division), the Pokes, with one of the nation's most prolific and exciting passing attacks, are likely to be left out of college football's Big Dance.
15. Virginia Tech
7 of 15
Last time anyone heard news from Blacksburg, Virginia Tech was 0-2 after losing to FCS "powerhouse" James Madison.
Since then, Frank Beamer's Hokies have gone undefeated in the ACC and are now favored to win the conference title game, granting them yet another trip to the Orange Bowl.
Credit Tyrod Taylor's spectacular play through the air and on the ground for Va. Tech's resurgence.
8. Michigan State
8 of 15
Nothing personal against Mark Dantonio's Spartans, but Michigan State is arguably the most overrated team that still has a legitimate shot at a BCS bowl berth.
Sparty's lone quality victory this season came over Wisconsin, while, on the flip side, Kirk Cousins and Co. were beaten badly by Iowa, 37-6, and did not have to face Ohio State this season.
Congratulations to Michigan State, but East Lansing's favorite is easily the least worthy of the three Big Ten champions.
13. Nebraska
9 of 15
If not for disappointing losses to Texas and Texas A&M, Nebraska would still be in the national title picture.
Even so, the Cornhuskers can still make it into the BCS with a win over Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday.
Give head coach Bo Pelini and quarterback Taylor Martinez credit for elevating the 'Huskers' football program back to national prominence.
11. Boise State
10 of 15
Dear Boise State,
Good luck in the Humanitarian Bowl.
In the course of a few crucial plays, Chris Petersen's Broncos went from potentially playing for the BCS championship to praying for another WAC championship.
Needless to say, former Heisman Trophy contender Kellen Moore and kicker Kyle Brotzman are no longer friends after Brotzman twice missed crucial field goals, ending BSU's 24-game winning streak.
10. LSU
11 of 15
Like Boise State, LSU was laying in wait for a shot at the BCS National Championship Game before Arkansas came along and dashed Les Miles' hopes for bringing another crystal football to the Bayou.
The Tigers may yet sneak their way into the BCS, but the likes of Jordan Jefferson and Steven Ridley have a much better shot at playing a mid-level New Year's Day game.
6. Ohio State
12 of 15
The whole of Columbus, Ohio, must be in shock these days.
Since when has Ohio State won at least a share of the Big Ten title and NOT been a shoo-in for the Rose Bowl?
Such is the position Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes find themselves in these days, with only a third of their conference championship and likely a spot in a good, but not great, bowl game to show for another 11-1 regular season.
Perhaps coach Jim Tressel should direct his complaints to the office of university President E. Gordon Gee for this one.
7. Arkansas
13 of 15
Arkansas may turn out to be yet another team deserving of a BCS bowl bid that gets shut out of a big payday.
Bobby Petrino's Razorbacks came on strong this season, behind the strong arm of quarterback Ryan Mallett, and went undefeated...save for losses to Auburn and Alabama.
But, then again, who DIDN'T lose to one, or both, of those teams this year?
The Hogs might just get their hooves in the door if the standard "SEC is by far the best" argument holds up.
5. Wisconsin
14 of 15
All signs point to Wisconsin representing the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl, now that the Badgers can lay claim to the highest BCS ranking of this year's three conference champions.
Bret Bielema's boys rode the arm of Scott Tolzien and the legs of Montee Ball to yet another horde of style points as they creamed Northwestern on Saturday, 70-23.
Not even the mighty Oregon Ducks have managed to score at least 70 points on two separate occasions as the Badgers have this season.
9. Oklahoma
15 of 15
"Sooner" rather than later, Oklahoma will prove to be the best team in the country that hasn't yet assured itself a spot in the BCS.
A classic match-up with old Big 8 rival Nebraska should grant Bob Stoops' squad a golden opportunity with which to impress the nation.
Despite losses to Missouri and Texas A&M, Heisman Trophy candidate Landry Jones and the Sooners boomed their way to the Big 12 South title in much the same way Wisconsin earned its likely Rose Bowl berth: by having the highest BCS ranking among a trio of contenders.
Hence, with a win over the 'Huskers on Saturday, the Sooners will find themselves back in Phoenix for the Fiesta Bowl.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
