BCS Rankings 2011: Analyzying the Week 8 AP Poll

The new AP Poll is out, and there are a few interesting rankings as usual. Is Boise State going to jump Wisconsin soon, or will the Badgers get knocked off by the Spartans next weekend? Michigan and Illinois both looked abysmal, and they dropped a bit. I break down every single team in the AP Top 25 Poll and take a look into the future on when their next loss could be.

1. LSU 7-0 (41)

Are they going to lose, seriously? The Bayou Bengals' defense is suffocating in the front seven, and their secondary is loaded with playmakers.  

Tyrann Mathieu and Mo Claiborne can roam the sidelines as well as any defensive back in the country. Also, the running game is unstoppable early on in the season, with Spencer Ware going roughshod on the SEC.

Their Nov. 5th date with Alabama will be the most anticipated game of not only the season, but possibly the decade.

Up Next: Oct. 22 vs. Auburn 

2. Alabama 7-0 (11)

The Crimson Tide have Trent Richardson going bonkers, and he made his Heisman run against Ole Miss after he faked the jockstrap out of a player twice on the same play.

Alabama ran for 389 yards and six rushing touchdowns, and the marvelous defense allowed just 28 yards for the entire game. Their defense is right there with LSU, except they have more NFL talent. A.J. McCarron continues to improve, but with one of the Heisman front-runners in the backfield, things are just fine and dandy.

Up Next: Oct. 22 at Tennessee

3. Oklahoma 6-0 (6)

Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles played pitch-and-catch all game long against Kansas, with Broyles breaking Taylor Stubblefield's all-time record reception record. Broyles broke it with his 117th catch, and the Jayhawks had no chance once the second half began.

Oklahoma's toughest game will be in Manhattan against the undefeated Kansas State Wildcats. The Sooners defense still has two of the best edge rushers in America, with Frank Alexander and Ronnell Lewis. Outside of the Wildcats, only Bedlam separates this Sooners squad from a perfect season.

Up Next: Oct. 22 vs. Texas Tech

4. Wisconsin 6-0

The Badgers took it to Indiana for a second consecutive season, but a date on the road with Michigan State next weekend will determine their BCS National Championship chances.

A loss could send them tumbling out of the top 10, but a tough road victory would inch them closer to a top 3 ranking with LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma.

Up Next: Oct 22 at Michigan State

5. Boise State 6-0 (1)

The Broncos lit up the Colorado State Rams, 63-13 and Kellen Moore is looking like a legit Heisman candidate. Moore ended up with four touchdowns and 338 yards passing on the day. Nine different Broncos hauled in a pass, which is impossible to defend, and with Doug Martin, well, this team is impossible to stop. 

Up Next: Oct 22 vs. Air Force

6. Oklahoma State 6-0

A tough road victory in Austin, 38-26, was impressive, since it was against a ticked-off Longhorns squad. However, the Pokes offense continues to be too much, with Jeremy Smith rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Oklahoma State's defense has risen to the occasion time after time this season, with several elite athletes on the field. Mizzou could give them a game, but the schedule is favorable for a date with the Sooners deciding their BCS fates.

Up Next: Oct. 22 at Missouri

7. Stanford 6-0

Andrew Luck continues to impress the Heisman voters, connecting with three of his tight ends. Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo combined to haul in 11 passes, three for touchdowns.

Stepfan Taylor moves the chains on the ground, and despite the loss of linebacker of Shayne Skov, the defense has improved. Only Washington and Oregon can contend with the Cardinal coming up. However, the Irish will be looming in the season finale, in what could decide more than just a BCS Bowl appearance.

Up Next Oct. 22 vs Washington

8. Clemson 7-0

The Tigers came back and went off against Maryland in the second half. They scored 39 points in the second half, with Sammy Watkins totaling three touchdowns.

Andre Ellington toted the rock 24 times for 212 yards, and the backfield combined for 206 yards. Despite the defense allowing 468 yards, Clemson was able to escape with a victory, and may be favored in all of their games from here on out.

Up Next: Oct 22 vs North Carolina

9. Oregon 5-1

The Ducks were already without LaMichael James, and they may be without Darron Thomas after he injured his knee. However, Michael Bennett filled in admirably with the high octane rushing attack.

Up Next: Oct. 22 at Colorado

10. Arkansas 5-1

Despite the bye, the Razorbacks benefited a ton, moving up into the top 10. Tyler Wilson has been unstoppable with their loaded weapons in the passing game, but the defense is the reason why they are here.

Up Next: Oct 22 at Ole Miss

11. West Virginia 5-1 

Another team reaping the benefits due to a bye week. I would bank on the Mountaineers winning the Big East if they find a way to win at Rutgers in two weeks.

Up Next: Oct 21 at Syracuse

12. Kansas State 6-0

How about these Wildcats? Collin Klein continues to get the job done and the defense dominates at the line of scrimmage. They may be considered an unknown, but if they shock the nation with a win over Oklahoma, this Wildcats team could be destined for, at worst, a New Year's Day Bowl.

Up Next: Oct 22. at Kansas

13. Nebraska 5-1

Not sure if they are a legit based off their ranking, but they have not knocked off any stud teams this season yet. If they can beat Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois, they might just land in the Big Ten Championship.

Up Next: Oct 22 at Minnesota 

14. South Carolina 6-1

South Carolina's victory came with the stunning and depressing loss of Marcus Lattimore, who injured his knee and will be out for the season.

Up Next: Oct. 29 at Tennessee

15. Michigan State 5-1

The Spartans have the top-ranked defense in the country thanks to Jerel Worthy, but Edwin Baker is starting to pick the pace up. If MSU can control the line of scrimmage against the Badgers, they may be well on their way to pulling off the biggest upset of the season. 

Up Next: Oct 22 vs Wisconsin

16. Virginia Tech 6-1

The Hokies dominated Wake, and look to control their destiny in the Coastal Division if they can sneak by Georgia Tech on the road. Virginia Tech can play with Clemson if Logan Thomas continues to improve, but David Wilson is the guy that carries this offense. 

Up Next: Oct. 22 vs BC

17. Texas A&M 4-2

The Aggies absolutely torched the Baylor Bears, as Ryan Tannehill threw for 415 yards and 6 touchdowns. A&M's defense stepped up to the plate, but they still have Texas and Oklahoma on the schedule.

Up Next: Oct. 22 at Iowa State

18. Michigan 6-1

Denard Robinson got dinged up against the Spartans, but without a running game, the Wolverines will not beat any good teams. Michigan was a tad overrated, though they can still play in the Outback Bowl or Capital One Bowl if they can get to the nine- or 10-win plateau.

19. Auburn 5-2

Auburn is starting to play tremendous defense, and they will get their chance to shine against LSU this weekend. They look like an eight-win team, possibly nine if they pull off an upset or two.

Up Next: Oct. 22 at LSU

20. Georgia Tech 6-1

The Yellow Jackets finally were exposed by Virginia, and now they we will need to get ready for the Hokies at home in a few weeks. Tevin Washington could not find Stephen Hill at all, and when the defense is allowing over 400 yards a game, they were due to lose. 

Up Next: Oct. 22 at Miami

21. Houston 6-0

Case Keenum and the Cougars offense is unstoppable in Conference-USA play, but their defense will eventually let them down if they continue to get gashed.

Up Next: Oct. 22 vs Marshall

22. Washington 5-1

Huskies quarterback Keith Price has thrown for three or more touchdowns in every game this year, but he will be tested against Stanford. Chris Polk must be able to gash the Cardinal run defense if they are going to have any chance of pulling the upset off.

Up Next: Oct 22 at Stanford

23. Illinois 6-1

The Illini were another team exposed by an average Buckeyes offense. Braxton Miller completed just one pass for the entire game, and yet Daniel Herron was able to reach pay dirt and total 100 yards on the ground. If they cannot avoid the turnovers, this Illini team will continue to fall flat on their faces.

Up Next: Oct 22 at Purdue

24. Georgia 5-2

There may not be a hotter team outside the top 10 right now. UGA survived against Vanderbilt, but they are getting star receiver Malcolm Mitchell back next week. Isiah Crowell did not see a ton of playing time, but we can bank on him being a large factor down the stretch of the SEC. Plus, with Lattimore out, the Bulldogs are the favorites in the SEC East.

Up Next: Oct. 29 UF

24. Arizona State 5-2

Despite losing in a shootout to Oregon 41-27, the Sun Devils fought hard. Brock Osweiler threw for 292 yards (2TD/2 INT), but they need to stop the run a bit better. Oregon ran for 327 yards against a decent Sun Devils defense. They should be fine to still reach the first ever Pac-12 Championship.

Up Next:Oct. 29 vs Colorado