BCS Rankings 2011: The Trap Game on Every BCS Top 25 Team's Schedule

We all know what the huge matchups that will determine who plays in the BCS National Championship game are.

There's Alabama-LSU on Nov. 5 and Oklahoma-Oklahoma State on Dec. 3, for starters.

But, the BCS Top 25 teams need to make sure they don't stumble against teams they should beat.

They need to make sure they aren't looking ahead and not taking an opponent seriously.

So, let's take a look at each BCS Top 25 team's trap game.

25. Washington Huskies (5-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 26 vs. Washington State

The Huskies are having a pretty great season, but the Cougars aren't a pushover this year.

Washington State has the 11th-best passing offense in college football, and this game always means a lot to them.

Washington needs to stay on top of their game, or the Cougars could send the Huskies to a less desirable bowl game.

24. Texas Longhorns (4-2)

Trap Game: Nov. 12 at Missouri

The Tigers are going through a rebuilding year after losing quarterback Blaine Gabbert to the NFL.

But, they still have a potent offense and a pretty good defense.

If they can force quarterbacks David Ash and Case McCoy into mistakes, the Longhorns could lose this tough road game.

23. Illinois Fighting Illini (6-1)

Trap Game: Oct. 22 at Purdue

After the Purdue game this weekend, the Illini have a tough stretch where they have to play Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin.

If they get too caught up looking ahead, they could be surprised by Purdue.

The Boilermakers have a pretty decent running game.

Illinois had trouble defending the run against Ohio State last weekend.

22. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 26 vs. Georgia

If the Yellow Jackets make it through the rest of the ACC schedule unscathed, they get no rest when Georgia comes to town.

The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets could both be playing for a spot in their respective conference championship games.

These teams will give each other everything they can handle.

21. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 19 at Ohio State

This game is sandwiched between games against Nebraska and Wisconsin on Penn State's schedule.

They'll need to find a way to win this battle of elite defenses and horrendous offenses, though, if they want a shot to play in the Big Ten title game.

This certainly won't be an easy week for the Nittany Lions.

20. Auburn Tigers (5-2)

Trap Game: Nov. 12 at Georgia

The Bulldogs could be battling for the SEC East title and a spot in the SEC Championship game.

Therefore, Mark Richt should have his troops fired up and ready to play.

They could jump out to a big lead on Auburn's shaky defense.

19. Houston Cougars (6-0)

Trap Game: Nov. 19 vs. SMU

The Cougars have a pretty easy road to the Conference USA Championship game.

But, the Mustangs will be no easy task.

SMU is trying to prove they should be considered for an automatic-bid conference, and this game could go a long way towards showing just that.

18. Michigan Wolverines (6-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 5 at Iowa

Iowa is 4-2 right now, so this won't be an easy game for the Wolverines.

The Hawkeyes are a pretty balanced team, and if they can force Denard Robinson into some mistakes, there's a chance they can pull off the upset.

17. Texas A&M Aggies (4-2)

Trap Game: Oct. 29 vs. Missouri

The Tigers always seem to give the Aggies problems.

This year should be no different.

A&M hasn't played a team with as good of a running game as Mizzou has.

They'll need to be playing their best football to beat the Tigers.

16. Michigan State Spartans (5-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 12 at Iowa

If Michigan State can make it through Wisconsin and Nebraska the next two weeks, they'll be in control of their own destiny.

But, as mentioned before, Iowa is better than they've been given credit for this year.

If Kirk Cousins plays the way he did against Ohio State, the Hawkeyes will have no problem beating the Spartans.

15. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1)

Trap Game: Dec. 1 at South Florida

This game is the week after the Mountaineers play Pitt in the Backyard Brawl.

Also, South Florida is a good team that has just fallen on hard times lately.

This has all the makings of a classic trap game for the Mountaineers.

14. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-1)

Trap Game: Oct. 29 at Tennessee

If ever a team needed a bye week, it's the Gamecocks right now.

After a week of rest, it will be interesting to see how the Stephen Garcia and Marcus Lattimore-less Gamecocks do against the Volunteers.

Don't be surprised if the Volunteers win this game in Tennessee.

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 25 vs. Iowa

If the Cornhuskers make it through Michigan State, Michigan and Penn State, they'll probably be feeling pretty good about themselves.

Then, it might only be a matter of beating Iowa to earn a berth into the Big Ten Championship game.

But once again, Iowa is good.

Watch out, and don't sleep on the Hawkeyes.

12. Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 17 vs. North Carolina

If the Hokies beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Nov. 10, they're prime candidates for an upset loss.

North Carolina has been sneaky good this year, but hasn't received much respect nationally.

They could definitely pull off an upset against a young Hokie team.

11. Kansas State Wildcats (6-0)

Trap Game: Dec. 3 vs. Iowa State

I know, I know. Iowa State has been horrible this year.

But, after a stretch of games against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Texas, the Wildcats will be tired and beaten up.

I wouldn't be surprised if they went 0-4 in that stretch.

Then, with morale low, an upset loss to the Cyclones isn't out of the question.

10. Oregon Ducks (5-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 5 at Washington

The Huskies are having a pretty good year this year.

And, with a date against the Stanford Cardinal the next weekend, it's possible that Oregon might overlook Washington.

Then, the Huskies have a shot to end the Ducks' Pac-12 title hopes.

9. Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1)

Trap Game: Nov. 19 vs. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs and Razorbacks have opposite offenses.

Arkansas relies heavily on the pass, while Mississippi State has a strong running attack.

If Arkansas is looking ahead to their matchup against LSU the next week, the Bulldogs might run all over the Razorback defense.

8. Stanford Cardinal (6-0)

Trap Game: Nov. 26 vs. Notre Dame

The Cardinal might have a spot in the Pac-12 title game secured heading into this game.

But, with a possible trip to the national championship on the line, they can't take it easy against the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame keeps playing better every week and will probably crack the Top 25 with another win.

7. Clemson Tigers (7-0)

Trap Game: Oct. 22 vs. North Carolina

The Tigers face their trap game this weekend against the Tar Heels.

This youthful team isn't used to playing with a ton of pressure on them, so it'll be interesting to see how they handle being 7-0.

They can't afford to slip up now, with the ACC title game well within reach.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (6-0)

Trap Game: Nov. 19 at Illinois

The Illini have a pretty balanced offense and a decent defense.

They don't have a great shot of upsetting the Badgers, but the fact the game is in Champaign helps a bit.

I think the Badgers will roll through the Big Ten, but if they do lose, it will be here.

5. Boise State Broncos (6-0)

Trap Game: Nov. 19 at San Diego State

The Aztecs have a pretty good running back in Ronnie Hillman.

And, they'll possibly be in a position to crack the Top 25 if they can muster an upset against the Broncos.

This game is also one week after the Broncos play TCU, so they will have to stay focused to avoid a letdown.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-0)

Trap Game: Nov. 12 at Texas Tech

If there's one team in the Big 12 that can match Oklahoma State's high-octane passing game, it's the Red Raiders.

This game will feature lots of points and not a lot of defense.

In games like that, an upset is definitely possible.

3. Oklahoma Sooners (6-0)

Trap Game: Nov. 19 at Baylor

The Bears have Robert Griffin III, so they always have a chance to win.

If Griffin can play the game of his life, the Bears could pull off the upset.

And, with Oklahoma coming off back-to-back games against Kansas State and Texas A&M, this has "trap game" written all over it.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)

Trap Game: Nov. 26 at Auburn

The Tide might roll into the Iron Bowl needing to keep an undefeated season alive.

They'll also be out for revenge after Auburn mounted a huge comeback against them last season en route to a national championship.

This game will give both teams all they can handle and more.

1. LSU Tigers (7-0)

Trap Game: Oct. 22 vs. Auburn

The Tigers have a game against Auburn this week and Alabama next week.

Everyone is already hyping up the Nov. 5 matchup between the Tigers and the Tide, so we'll see if Les Miles can keep his team focused on Auburn.

If not, the game against Alabama will lose a lot of its luster.