BCS Standings 2011: 5 Teams That Have the Most Upside

With the first BCS standings of the 2011 college football season finally arriving, I'm sure the usual panic, outrage and anxiety of certain fanbases is taking place.

Still, there are other factors at play. While the first rankings are telling in some ways, other pieces of the puzzle (like the schedule) are just as important. In order to get a complete picture, we have to look at the big picture.

As such, here are the five teams who have the most upside in the 2011 BCS championship race (for various reasons).

No. 8 Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal perhaps look to be on the outside edge of the BCS championship race at No. 8. However, Stanford has a few factors working in their favor.

First, they have several remaining marquee matchups that will boost their stock. They play the No. 25 Washington Huskies and No. 10 Oregon Ducks, and they have games against two teams on the brink of the top 25 (the USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish) on the docket as well.

Secondly, they get three of those four teams at home (all but USC). If the attrition that typically occurs throughout the second half of the college football season takes place, the Cardinal could climb the rankings if they win all these tough games.

No. 7 Clemson Tigers

At No. 7, the Clemson Tigers came in one spot ahead of their ranking in the other polls. With the Virginia Tech Hokies' (somewhat surprising) No. 12 ranking and the usual SEC favoritism, the Tigers will likely finish the season with strong computer numbers and an impressive resume.

The Tigers have already seamlessly navigated a tough three-game stretch against the Auburn Tigers, Florida State Seminoles and the Hokies. Plus, they still have two big games left against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and South Carolina Gamecocks. Five wins over ranked opponents would be quite impressive.

The Tigers still need some teams in front of them to lose. Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see them pass more teams as the year progresses, so they're certainly not out of the race.

No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin Badgers' fans, don't panic because of that No. 6 ranking. In memory of Al Davis, remember the most important thing: "Just win, baby."

Unlike most of their fellow top-10 teams (excluding the Boise State Broncos and Clemson Tigers), the Wisconsin Badgers do not have a matchup with another top-10 team left on their regular season schedule.

The Badgers have one of the easiest roads left of potential BCS championship teams. If they win their away game against the Michigan State Spartans this week, the only hurdles left are at the Ohio State Buckeyes and at the Illinois Fighting Illini (who were brutally exposed this weekend).

The way Russell Wilson and Co. are playing right now, it doesn't look like any of their fellow Big Ten opponents can beat them. As they have already played Nebraska and don't have to face the Michigan Wolverines, the Badgers are one of the safest bets to go undefeated.

Oklahoma plays Oklahoma State, LSU plays Alabama, and Boise State doesn't play anybody. The Badgers will have no problem getting into the top three if they win out. They just need somebody else to lose.

No 4. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Coming in at No. 4, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are right in the thick of the BCS championship race. The computers clearly love them.

Despite the fact that not a single one of their remaining six opponents currently has a losing record, the Cowboys have the benefit of getting their three toughest games left (against the Baylor Bears, Kansas State Wildcats and Oklahoma Sooners) all at home.

If the Cowboys can beat the Sooners, they will be firmly in control of their own destiny. Neither the Wisconsin Badgers or Boise State Broncos have the marquee games necessary to jump them in the standings.

No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide

It appears as if either the Alabama Crimson Tide or LSU Tigers are going to the BCS National Championship Game.

Right now, the Crimson Tide look like they have the advantage. They get LSU at home on November 5th, and then their only remaining ranked opponent is the Auburn Tigers. Conversely, LSU (obviously) has to travel to Alabama, face the No. 9 Arkansas Razorbacks and play Auburn as well.

If Alabama beats LSU, you can bet your bottom dollar they will be in the 2012 BCS Championship Game.