2011 BCS Standings: 6 Ranked Teams That Will Plummet by Season's End

It’s a Saturday. You’re off work, enjoying the cool fall season. Now that baseball is near its end, all you can think about is college football. Perfect timing, considering the first BCS college rankings have been release.

Yes, the 2011 BCS standings have finally been released. This means it’s about that time when we think about the BCS and bowl games. Though, it’s no surprise as to the Top 10 or so teams.

From what’s transpired, LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma look like absolute juggernauts this season.

What about the rest of the Top 25?

What currently ranked teams are sure-fire to stumble near the finish line of the season and finish outside the BCS rankings?

There is a good amount of teams in the Top 25 who could easily fall out of the rankings by the end of the season, either with tough schedules or the discovery or a fraudulent team.

But, who are these teams? If you need a hint, think of maize and blue and burnt orange.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

So far, its been a complete cakewalk for the Yellow Jackets. They still have yet to play ranked teams.

But, when they do, the Yellow Jackets will most likely show their true colors. Although both games against ranked teams are at home (No. 12 Virginia Tech and No. 7 Clemson), I cannot expect a win from Georgia Tech.

The Yellow Jackets give up a lot of points, averaging 24.1 points per game allowed, and don't have much of a passing game, which ranks 105th in the FBS.

I expect their first loss this Saturday in an upset-watch game against Virginia, and you'll soon see them fall from the Top 25.

Washington Huskies

Washington has had it quite easy as well, losing only one game thus far this season. The lone loss was to the hands of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

In their only game against a ranked team, Nebraska handed it to the Huskies to a 51-38 score.

This Saturday, Washington takes the field against future NFL No. 1 pick Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal. Two weeks later, they play Oregon—another NCAA powerhouse.

With tough road games at USC and Oregon State, I expect the Huskies to falter near the end, and finish outside the Top 25.

Texas Longhorns

Currently ranked 22^nd in the initial BCS standings, they really shouldn't even be ranked. A school that’s been on the decline since Colt McCoy graduated, the Longhorns have lost their previous two games.

Two weeks ago, No. 3 Oklahoma cooked the Longhorns to a 55-13 loss. Last week, the Longhorns lost to No. 6 Oklahoma State. Had this Longhorns team belonged in the Top 25, I would have expected more of a fighting effort against the Cowboys.

Texas still has two remaining games against ranked teams, versus Kansas State and at Texas A&M. Also, Texas plays potential trap games at Missouri and at the ever-interesting Baylor to end the season.

I just cannot envision Texas in the rankings at the end of the year, as I see them stumbling to an 8-4 finish. But are their marquee wins enough to keep them in the Top 25?

Michigan Wolverines

This happens every year...for the past four years. Michigan starts strong, loses to Michigan State, and reels for the entire remainder of the season.

Their schedule has also been a complete cakewalk up to the UM-MSU game the previous week. They were ranked No. 11 prior to that matchup after winning easy games, save the Notre Dame classic.

Maize and Blue plays two more ranked opponents in Illinois and Nebraska—games that I just can't see the Wolverines and Denard Robinson winning.

They also play Ohio State which should be a spirited game for both, especially Ohio State to prove their worth this season in the Big Ten. A road game against Iowa will also be a huge test for Michigan. 

Michigan could very well win their next game against Purdue, and lose every game from then on with this tough upcoming schedule.

Unfortunately, 7-5 really seems realistic.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Head coach Ron Zook and the Fighting Illini have enjoyed a successful season thus far.

Their schedule has been in their favor so far, and a key win against 22nd-ranked Arizona State proves that the Illini can be a Top 25 team in time to come...but not this season.

The Illini would be in the Top 25 at the end of the season had their schedule not turn into a death trap. Three of the next four games are against ranked teams, all of which I see them losing. They play at Penn State, versus Michigan and versus Wisconsin. 

I really like this Illini team, and really think that Ron Zook can take this team somewhere in the next few years, so watch out in the future...but not this year.

An 8-4 record looks reasonable for the Illini this season.

Auburn Tigers

Auburn had a real, real strong start. That is why they're luckily ranked in the Top 25 still. They've had key wins against South Carolina and Mississippi State. We eventually saw how good Clemson was after beating up on the Tigers 38-24.

The Tigers are currently 5-2, and have two games remaining against ranked teams. They'll most likely lose their next game against No.1 LSU, and they end the season versus No. 2 Alabama.

I expect Auburn to finish 7-5, as I pick them to lose another game against a strong Georgia team looking to avenge last year's loss to the Tigers.