BCS Rankings 2011: Predicting the Best Matchups Between BCS Top 25 Teams

The BCS Rankings were released last night, and unlike most seasons, there wasn't really that much surprises. Most of the teams we thought were going to be in it are, and with the lack of upsets this season, it's going to stay this way until teams start losing.

Week 8 of the college football season could begin to shake up the BCS with a lot of marquee matchups that include Top 25 teams.

Here are the top six matchups of Week 8 that include BCS ranked teams.

11 Kansas State vs. Kansas

This game is worth a peek if the Kansas Jayhawks can play the way they did last week against the Oklahoma Sooners. Sure, Oklahoma won by 30 points but Kansas was sticking with them until the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats are one of the best rushing teams in the nation that averages 206 yards on the ground. Kansas State may look over this Kansas team with a big matchup against Oklahoma next week.  

Overall Kansas has the worst defense in the country that gives up 49 points per game and that will be the reason the Jayhawks lose but it will be closer than many think.

Kansas State wins: 34-28

4 Oklahoma State vs. Missouri

It seems like everybody is jumping on the Oklahoma State bandwagon and when they average 49 points per game, you can see why.  Heisman candidate Brandon Weeden is playing out of his mind, completing 72 percent of his passes for 2,089 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Missouri is one of those teams that is overlooked every year but they always manage to earn at least one big victory. The Tigers have one of the most balanced offenses in the country and average 35 points per game.

Overall Oklahoma State's defense will keep the Tigers in this game but it's hard seeing Missouri win. The Tigers have already played three ranked teams this year and have lost every one of them.

Cowboys win: 42-35

22 Georgia Tech vs. Miami

Georgia Tech is one of the top rushing teams in the country that averages 347 yards on the ground. Their passing game is almost nonexistent but Tevin Washington seems to make the throws when he has to. 

Miami is one of those streaky teams but have been competitive in every game they've played in. Quarterback Jacory Harris has played surprisingly well completing 69 percent of his passes and has thrown 12 touchdowns to three interceptions.

Overall I like Miami at home. Georgia Tech has shown that being one dimensional on offense has caught up with them as they almost lost to Maryland and lost to Virginia last week.

Miami wins: 27-19

25 Washington vs. 8 Stanford

Stanford will finally be playing a ranked opponent and will be out to prove that they deserve their current spot in the Polls.

We all know about Andrew Luck and the Cardinal high scoring offense but their defense is very underrated. Stanford only gives up 11 points per game and has 48 tackles for loss and 23 sacks. You can complain about their schedule but those numbers are impressive.

As far as Washington they are led by underrated quarterback Keith Price who is completing 69 percent of his passes and has 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions.

Overall I think the Huskies will be able to keep up with Stanford but a Washington defense that is ranked 77th in points allowed will eventually fold.

Stanford wins: 36-29

20 Auburn vs. 1 LSU

Last year this game was a thriller and hopefully this years matchup doesn't disappoint either.

Auburn may not be the same team they were last season but they are still talented and find ways to win. Running back Michael Dyer could be a Heisman candidate if the Tigers didn't already have two losses.

We all know about LSU and their ridiculous defense that only gives up 11 points per game.

Overall Auburn is just too young and doesn't have the weapons on offense to keep up in this game. Auburn likes to run the ball and LSU only gives up an average of 75 yards on the ground.

This game could be close but I'll take the more experienced and talented team at home.

LSU wins: 39-17

6 Wisconsin vs. 16 Michigan State

This will be the best game of Week 8 and will feature one of the best offenses in the country against one of the top defenses.

Wisconsin's offense averages 50 points per contest and is led by Heisman candidate Russell Wilson. They've scored over 40 points in five of the six games this season.

The Spartans defense gives up just 10 points per game and has 21 sacks and 46 tackles for loss. This defense really gets after it and has been a big reason for Michigan State's success.

Overall I believe that Wisconsin will still be able to score points, there are simply too many weapons to completely stop the Badgers. I don't think the Spartans offense is capable of matching the Badgers offense as Michigan State sometimes struggles to put points up. 

Wisconsin wins: 32-23

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]

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