Projected BCS Rankings 2011: Why Clemson's Ranking Will Continue to Rise

Have you heard of No. 8 Clemson’s QB Tajh Boyd yet?

The electric talent has already racked up 1,742 yards and 15 touchdowns in only six games (technically 5.5, but I’ll get into that in a second).

He has infused a ton of energy into the Tigers and the results have been obvious. They already sport wins over three teams ranked in the Top 25 at the time.

The defense is smothering and allowing less than 20 points a game.

It’s a balanced squad that won’t be dropping in the polls anytime soon. They still have tough opponents in Maryland, No. 12 Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and No. 15 South Carolina to keep the picky BCS computers off their back.

Yet, they have the talent to beat every single team listed above. Obviously it’s not going to be easy and they’ll need a few breaks to go their way, but I expect them to run the table…especially with the update on the health of Boyd.

Boyd only has played 5.5 games because he left last Saturday’s 36-14 win over Boston College in the second quarter with a hip injury. It looked bad at first, but Boyd was back at practice on Tuesday and is probable for this Saturday’s tilt at Maryland.

As long as the Tigers continue to play at such a high level and Boyd is healthy, they can watch as teams in front of them tumble one by one.

No .1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama still play each other in addition to the rest of the SEC teams left on their respective schedules. No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 6 Oklahoma State still play each other and No. 7 Stanford has a date with No. 9 Oregon.

No. 4 Wisconsin and No. 5 Boise State are the only two teams ahead of Clemson without a game left against a Top 10 opponent.

Expect the dominoes to fall as the Tigers continue to quietly slip by.

This team has a great shot at finishing the year in the AP Top Five and more importantly...the BCS Top Five.

Who would have guessed that a month ago?