BCS Projections: Sleeper Teams That Belong in BCS Picture

We've seen teams like Clemson rise from nothing to a potential BCS Championship sleeper team. While we're well into the season now, that doesn't mean that another team can't surprise us and make some headway in the rankings.

There are promising teams lying on the outside of the rankings who are on the brink of cracking the top 25. Here are promising sleeper teams that belong in the BCS picture.

Michigan State

Michigan State had one terrible game on the road against Notre Dame that has voters hesitant to buy in. While reservations about this team are warranted, they proved last week by taking down Ohio State that they aren't just a school who feasts on small schools who can't compete.

They play three ranked opponents in a row in their upcoming schedule, and while it may seem that this is the end of the road for Michigan State, it's a great opportunity for them to prove themselves against some of the best teams the nations has to offer.

USC

USC is 4-1, losing only to a talented Arizona State team on the road. Matt Barkley is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and though they aren't eligible for a bowl game or the Pac-12 championship, he's not about to let what is likely his last season as a Trojan go up in smoke.

USC has games against Stanford, Oregon and Notre Dame remaining on their schedule. The Trojans can't finish this season with a big bowl win, but they can play spoiler to their conference rivals and certainly have the talent to do so.

Penn State

It's unfair to write off Penn State for losing to Alabama. The Crimson Tide might be the best team in the nation, and the Nittany Lions can't be held out of the time solely for that loss. Even so, the verdict is still out.

They haven't done anything to prove themselves, as they have taken on a cupcake schedule to this point. Even though their competition hasn't been stellar, their defense has shown up big and is allowing an impressive 11 points a game.

The second half of their schedule is much more difficult, as they close with three out of four of their last three games being against ranked opponents. If they can take down Iowa, they'll take a much-needed stride towards legitimacy.

SMU

SMU gets flack for being a Conference USA team, but they look better every time we see them and after taking down TCU last week, it's time to take them seriously. J.J. McDermott is lighting teams up and it's hard to see a team lying in front of them that will take them down.

SMU has a cupcake schedule, and if they can make it past Navy and Houston, they have a great chance of finishing this season a one-loss team. SMU is one of the best stories in the nation, and it's hard not to root for a program that has literally risen from the ashes in the manner they have been.