College Football Scores 2011: Clemson Tigers and 3 Teams Making BCS Statements

The BCS rankings are still two weeks away from being released, but that does not mean there aren't a number of teams making strong cases to be included at, or near, the top of those rankings. Of course, trying to predict what the BCS computers will say is like trying to predict the lottery.

But Week 5 was perhaps the best week for teams at, or near, the top of the AP and Coaches polls to make their statements because it was the first time that virtually every team was playing a conference game and not some random cupcake that was scheduled just to get an easy victory.

One team that has been surging up the rankings the last three weeks is Clemson, a team that entered the season without any real expectations after years of disappointment.

But the Tigers have been very impressive thus far and made a huge statement last night by defeating ACC stalwart, Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg.

Here are four teams, including Clemson, that are making a big push to be included in the BCS mix when January arrives.

No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (def. No. 17 Florida, 38-10)

Everyone knew that Alabama was good, but these last two weeks—first against Arkansas and now against Florida—have shown just how good Nick Saban’s team really is.

Running back Trent Richardson started the season with an underwhelming performance against Kent State (37 yards on 13 carries) but he has been on fire ever since. He has run for over 100 yards in each of the last four games, including a season-high 181 yards on Saturday night.

And, by the way, the defense is pretty good too. The Tide lead the country in scoring defense with just 8.4 points allowed per game.

November 5 against LSU looks like it will decide which team is going to represent the West division in the SEC Championship game.

No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers (def. No. 14 Nebraska, 48-17)

Because they play in the Big Ten and because they don’t always play sexy on the offensive side of the ball, the Wisconsin Badgers often get overlooked when talking about the best team in the country.

All of that will stop after the Badgers destroyed Nebraska on Saturday night. Things did not start out great for Bret Bielema’s team, they were down 14-7 early in the second quarter, but the defense went on lockdown in the second half and the offense exploded for 41 points in the final three quarters.

The Badgers have established themselves as the class of the Big Ten and a team that belongs in the conversation as one of the top-5 teams in the country. If they keep playing like this the rest of the season, they will be playing for a national championship.

No. 8 Clemson Tigers (def. No. 21 Virginia Tech, 23-3)

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been practically begging for some national media attention all season long. After defeating Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech in consecutive weeks, it is safe to say that he is going to get his wish.

We have gotten so accustomed to talking about Clemson’s failures in big games that it took a little extra time before we took them seriously. This team has been lights out so far this season, and now the Tigers have the inside track to play in the ACC Championship game.

Quarterback Tajh Boyd is a sleeper Heisman candidate with 1,459 yards passing and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions through five games.

No. 12 Michigan Wolverines (def. Minnesota, 58-0)

The Wolverines still have a lot of work to do to prove that they are BCS-worthy, but head coach Brady Hoke has this team headed in the right direction. The last time Michigan pitched a shutout was in 2007.

Quarterback Denard Robinson has had an inconsistent season throwing the ball, but he might be the most dangerous running quarterback in the country.

The real litmus test for this team will come in November when they play Illinois, Nebraska and Ohio State in consecutive weeks. But, at least for now, Wolverines fans have reason to believe in this team.