BCS Rankings 2011: Clemson Tigers and 5 Teams That Have Much to Prove

Nothing is more exciting than this time of the year. Even though seven weeks are already in the books, college football is just getting started in most people's minds.

When the 2011 initial BCS rankings came out Sunday night, many have had mix feelings on the teams that have been either been given too high of a spot or even a spot at all.

It certainly hasn't been clear in college football where teams stand, besides for LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Besides for those four teams, anyone could be anywhere.

There is still a lot of time left in the college football season, and with the initial rankings coming out, that means things are just getting under way.

In the coming weeks, expect to see many teams moving around. Whether that is lower, higher or even out of the rankings, no one is really safe with a loss or two.

These five teams have the most to prove in the coming weeks.

Clemson Tigers

BCS Ranking: No. 7

Record: 7-0

Toughest Opponent So Far: Virginia Tech (Won 23-3)

Remaining Opponents: North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, NC State and South Carolina

Toughest Opponent Ahead: at South Carolina Nov. 26

Where They Could Lose Next: at Georgia Tech Oct. 29

Why

No doubt does the Tigers deserve to be where they are. With defeats over Florida State, Virginia Tech, Auburn and a close battle with Maryland, the Tigers have proven to be a team to reckon with.

That being said, their schedule doesn't remain too kind to them with tough road games at Georgia Tech and South Carolina. If the Tiger's can get past those teams, they certainly can make an argument to join the Top Five.

Michigan Wolverines

BCS Ranking: No.18

Record: 6-1

Toughest Opponent So Far: Michigan State Spartans (Loss 14-28)

Remaining Opponents: Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Ohio State

Toughest Opponent Ahead: Nebraska Nov. 19

Where They Could Lose Next: at Illinois Nov. 12

Why

Led by quarterback Denard Robinson, the Wolverines have been nothing short of electric. That still isn't enough though to sell Michigan as a viable contender at this point. Of all their opponents, Michigan State has been the only ranked challenge and they failed to capitalize against the Spartans.

Actually, due to their schedule, it is bizarre to even think that Michigan is ranked even in the Top 20, but they are.

In Week 2, the Wolverines did defeat Notre Dame, but at that time the team was still trying to find their identity so that really wasn't that big of a win for Michigan. Instead, upcoming games at Illinois and against Nebraska will really show us whether this Wolverine team is a contender or pretender.

Also, after watching Ohio State at Illinois, don't be surprised if there is a major upset Nov. 26.

Texas Longhorns

BCS Ranking: No. 24

Record: 4-2

Toughest Opponent So Far: Oklahoma (lost 17-55)

Remaining Opponents: Kansas, Texas Tech, Missouri, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Baylor

Toughest Opponent Ahead: at Texas A&M Nov. 24

Where They Could Lose Next: at Missouri Nov. 12

Why

It is actually quite shocking that Texas even made these rankings. So far this season, they have defeats over Rice, BYU, UCLA and Iowa State. Their only two losses came against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, so perhaps they got some sympathy on those tough games.

Texas is a team that is going to have the toughest road ahead of them. They could easily trip up at any of their next games, even Kansas. If the Longhorns do win out, they could make a significant jump in the rankings due to the strength of their schedule. But a trip to Mizzou and Texas A&M will make that a difficult feat.

Auburn Tigers

BCS Ranking: No. 20

Record: 5-2

Toughest Opponent So Far: Arkansas (lost 14-38)

Remaining Opponents: LSU, Mississippi, Georgia, Samford and Alabama

Toughest Opponent Ahead: at LSU Oct. 22

Where They Could Lose Next: at LSU Oct. 22

Why

The defending national champs do not have an easy road ahead of them. They could easily lose three of their five remaining games, and many experts would expect them to. But you just can't ever eliminate the possibility of an upset.

That being said, with LSU and Alabama sandwiching the remainder of their schedule, things just really don't look to bright for Auburn.

With losses on the season to Clemson and Arkansas, it is tough to imagine the Tigers having much of an impact on the BCS towards the end of the year. They do have a win over South Carolina, so with a possible upset over one of the two big dogs, they could sneak into at least the Top 15.

Penn State Nittany Lions

BCS Ranking: No. 21

Record: 6-1

Toughest Opponent So Far: Alabama (lost 11-27)

Remaining Opponents: Northwestern, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin

Toughest Opponent Ahead: at Wisconsin Nov. 26

Where They Could Lose Next: Illinois Oct. 29

Why

The Nittany Lions are 6-1, so Joe Paterno has had his team playing at a pretty high level in 2011. The thing is, besides Alabama, they really have yet to play anyone, and their second half schedule isn't very kind to them.

With tough games ahead against Northwestern, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin, Penn State could easily end the season 6-6. While they are likely to get a win or two over Northwestern and Ohio State, we have seen that both these teams are very tough.

Illinois and Nebraska are going to be tested just as much as Penn State in their matchups, so those will be interesting games to see. Penn State's remaining schedule is tough enough to either kill them or make them jump a lot week by week.