BCS Rankings 2011: 5 Hot Teams to Watch

There are always the elite programs that do as expected throughout the college football season, but it's the teams that come out of nowhere, or fall then rise, that spice things up.

This has once again been a pleasurable viewing experience in 2011 as programs and players rise above expectations and conquer adversity.

One of the greatest things about college football is that this is bound to happen every year because there are so many unknowns dotting the football field, just waiting to prove doubters wrong.

Here are five piping hot teams that should remain in the BCS discussion after early-season doubts.

5. West Virginia

I'll admit that I wasn't that high on West Virginia to start the season, but quarterback Geno Smith continues to put up big numbers and it's not exactly horrible for your only loss to be against No. 1 LSU.

The LSU game proved that West Virginia isn't an elite squad, but the Mountaineers have proven they have the potential to be included as a BCS bowl team at the end of the season.

The No. 15 Mountaineers should be able to win their final six games with no true threats in sight, which could very well push them into the top 10 of the AP poll and into a BCS bowl.

Watch for freshman running back Dustin Garrison, too. He's beginning to make some waves throughout the nation.

4. Oregon

Oregon suffered a big blow in the season opener against LSU and it's unlikely they'll make a repeat trip to the BCS Championship Game because of it, but the Ducks have roared back since, winning their next five games.

Despite being without injured star LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas for most of the second half against Arizona State, the Ducks were still able to come out with a 41-27 victory on Saturday.

Thomas' injury doesn't appear too serious and James will likely be back soon, so the No. 10 Ducks will continue to ride their two stars. They are averaging 48.7 points through six games.

3. Arkansas

It's hard to imagine the Arkansas Razorbacks were ranked No. 15 in the nation coming into the regular season.

Or perhaps not, given they lost Ryan Mallett to the NFL.

But Arkansas is looking every bit the No. 9 team they are, led by the solid play of junior quarterback Tyler Wilson (12 TDs, 3 INTs).

The Razorbacks have won against two ranked opponents, Texas A&M and Auburn, since their sole loss to Alabama, and few people are bringing up the loss of Mallett now.

2. Clemson

Clemson is the Cinderella story in college football this season.

Unranked in the preseason, the Tigers have started off 7-0 after finishing last season 6-7 and losing star defensive end Da'Quan Bowers to the NFL.

Clemson has already beaten Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech, and the Tigers escaped a letdown last week when they stormed back from an 18-point deficit behind star quarterback Tajh Boyd to shock Maryland, 56-45.

Boyd is proving to be the real deal, already throwing for over 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns to three interceptions.

The No. 7 Tigers have their biggest tests against Georgia Tech and South Carolina moving forward, and it's very possible that they will win both games.

1. Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers weren't exactly disrespected in the preseason, being ranked No. 11 in the AP poll, but nobody could have imagined this level of play.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is a legit Heisman contender, the running game is a nightmare for opponents, and the defense has been stellar, giving up just 9.7 points per game on the way to a 6-0 start.

The Badgers dismantled then-No. 8 Nebraska on Oct. 1 by a score of 48-17, and running backs Montee Ball and James White have been scary good.

There are five truly elite teams in college football right now, and No. 6 Wisconsin is one of them (I exclude No. 4 Oklahoma State because of its defense).