BCS Standings 2011: The 5 Most Critical Games in Week 8

The Week 7 games are in the book, and with it is now time to look at the top games of Week 8. All of the top teams in the nation just throttled their opponents, which makes you believe some upsets could be on the horizon.

I break down the top games for next weekend with the highest impact. It seems as if we are just crusing along the season until that Alabama-LSU game on Nov. 5; however, there is a great chance to see a change in the top five starting in Week 8.

No. 4 Wisconsin at No. 23 Michigan State

The Badgers dominated the Hoosiers in consecutive seasons rolling up 332 yards rushing. Wisconsin's top notch offensive line against the Spartans' third-ranked run defense.

Jerel Worthy might be the best defensive tackle in the nation, and going up against Peter Konz will be a treat to watch.

Russell Wilson is expected to have Nick Toon back (knee), and he better find him early and often against the top ranked pass defense in the nation.

The Spartans may not have the most talented secondary in the nation, but they have a few guys in Trenton Robinson and Johnny Adams that have played like All-Americans.

This game not only is the biggest game of the season in the Big Te, but it can also be a preview of the Big Ten championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 3.

Plus, if there is an opportunity for the Badgers to lose a game, this might be it. If Wisconsin runs the table and gets any help, they may very well be on their way to an undefeated 13-0 season on top of an appearance in the BCS National Championship.

Michigan State felt disrespected last season being left out of the BCS last season. They knocked off these Badgers at home last season, and a win this time could lead to a top 10 finish and ultimately a BCS Bowl. 

No. 24 Auburn at No. 1 LSU

The LSU Tigers may be ranked atop the AP Poll and the Harris Poll (one third of BCS), but the BCS computers and the Coaches Poll do not have the Bayou Bengals atop the rankings.

This is yet another gauntlet of a game for LSU to thrive in. Auburn has caught some momentum after their crucial home victory over the injury riddled Florida Gators, 17-6.

LSU has won two of the last three meetings, but they lost to Cam Newton and the boys by a touchdown last season.

This year, Auburn is hanging around in the SEC West, while LSU is looking ahead to bigger things. In a "show me what you have done for me lately world," it is imperative that the Tigers rise to the occasion and come away with an impressive victory.

If LSU struggled and just hangs on to a close win, there would be a good chance they drop a spot or two in the polls. I doubt Les Miles will look ahead to the Alabama game since he is one of the finest coaches in America, but the offense will to bring their "A" game to pull this one out.

Washington at No. 7 Stanford

Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal continue to romp the Pac-12, and if they get by Washington, it would only be the Oregon Ducks perhaps from costing them a chance at a BCS National Championship.

Luck is a surgeon and just torched you through the air, and when the pocket collapses, he can tuck it and run it or find a bevy of tight ends down the field.

The defense improved through each week, and going up against a high octane Washington Huskies offense should be a solid game.

In case you haven't noticed, Keith Price has thrown for three touchdowns in every game this season. They have arguably the best receiving corps in the Pac-12, and their defense is not too shabby, either.

Washington is likely to be ranked an upset should not be considered a shock since they are one of the most underrated and least talked about teams.

Stanford, according to some, has a legit chance of sneaking into the BCS National Championship, but they need to continue to win every single game. 

Southern California at Notre Dame

The Irish will either both be ranked or right on the brink of becoming a top 25 team. Also, Notre Dame is going to be favored in all of their games, and they have the makings of sneaking into a BCS Bowl as an at-large team (Well, duh; they aren't in a conference).

USC, on the other hand, looks like a legit, relevant team after beating up Cal, 30-9. Their defense is really improving, and it better be able to slow down Notre Dame's Cierre Wood.

The voters will soon fall in love Brian Kelly and the Irish, as they will be playing in their first night in decades. If Notre Dame can orevail against Matt Barkley and Robert Woods, they might be cracking the top 15 very soon.

The upcoming schedule is extremely friendly to Notre Dame, and they have the makings of going 9-2 heading into Palo Alto against Stanford.

That very likely could decide a BCS at-large team, but the Irish first must take care of business against a legit Trojans squad.

Matt Barkley and Robert Woods are attempting to break a few records held by Keyshawn Johnson (catches) and Carson Palmer (completions) later on in the season. There a few options that USC has including several different backs, but Marc Tyler (shoulder) may not be playing in this game.

USC may not be eligible to play in a bowl game, let alone their own conference championship, but they can ruin the season of the Irish with an upset victory.

Air Force at No. 6 Boise State

Boise State has dropped to seventh in the USA Today Poll, but the BCS computers are expected to have them right at or around number five.

Kellen Moore absolutely torched Colorado State for 338 yards and four touchdowns in just three quarters. Doug Martin gashed the Rams for 200 yards and two touchdowns as well.

This offense might be the most explosive in the nation, and they turned on the jets in the third quarter, getting four easy touchdowns.

Nine different receivers caught a pass, and it is impossible to defend that as a defense. Tyler Shoemaker hauled in nine passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. 

However, this team has one of the elite front fours in all of college football led by Billy Winn, Chase Baker, Tyrone Crawford and Shea McClellin. These guys are unblockable, and they will continue harassing quarterbacks in the Mountain West.

Air Force has now lost two in a row after giving up 59 to Notre Dame and then 41 to San Diego State. The Falcons run defense ranks 119th in the nation, so I would look for another 50-plus points by Kellen Moore and the Broncos.

Note: No. 4 Oklahoma State at Missouri will be another to keep an eye on.