BCS Rankings 2011: Teams the BCS Will Love Come November

With the initial BCS rankings, there were a few surprises. Wisconsin didn’t make the splash that some were expecting but overall it was a pretty predictable outcome.

Looking at the top teams in the poll that are undefeated, the top eight appear to all have legitimate shots at the title. Most control their own destiny with contests against one another at some point, while a few will remain unchallenged by their Top 10 brethren.

The hardest part of the current system is determining the weight that is carried by those that will be left undefeated. Which teams deserve a title and which do not deserve a shot? It is a hard determinant that leaves the masses hoping that multiple teams don’t finish undefeated, just their team.

Looking ahead to November let’s take a look at which teams are the most likely to be favorites among the BCS elite.

8. Boise State Broncos

Boise State has one of the easiest roads to an undefeated season as any team in the top eight of the current BCS rankings. There is not a ranked team remaining on the Broncos schedule. That makes for a very cozy trip to the undefeated line at the end of the season, but is this the year that the Broncos can make the title game?

Unfortunately for the Broncos they don’t write the schedule, the administration does. No matter how well they fare throughout the season, there are four teams that are ranked ahead of them and aren’t likely to give up their position before the season finishes.

For the Broncos to be looked upon favorably in November, they have to win their games but also hope that the other undefeated teams in the top eight lose a game or two as well.

7. Clemson Tigers

The Clemson Tigers are appearing from nowhere much like the Auburn Tigers did a year ago. They are finding ways to escape and win ballgames when it counts this season and have maneuvered into the No. 7 spot nationally.

Clemson doesn’t face a Top 10 team to finish the season. The only two remaining ranked teams on the schedule are No. 23 Georgia Tech and No. 14 South Carolina. Both teams have had their own struggles so Clemson finishing undefeated doesn’t appear to be such a far-fetched conclusion.

Clemson will have to play in the ACC title game which adds one more game to the docket, but if they can win out they have a legitimate shot at the title game. 

6. Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin has to be the most underrated team in the Top 10 today. The Badgers have embarrassed every opponent they have played, including No. 13 Nebraska. Despite their big wins, Wisconsin finds themselves at No. 6 in the BCS. Every other poll has them at the No. 4 spot.

At the end of the day, the only ranking that matters is the BCS. The Badgers still have No. 16 Michigan State, No. 23 Illinois and No. 21 Penn State left on the schedule. Wins over ranked opponents will help the Badgers move up, and even with a championship game this season they will likely play second fiddle to other undefeated teams.

Unfortunately for the Badgers there aren’t many challengers to the top four that look to have a chance at being successful. Even if Wisconsin finishes undefeated, they need at least four more teams gone before they will get a shot at the title.

5. Stanford Cardinal

Stanford finds itself in the No. 8 spot nationally in the BCS rankings. The Cardinal has played quite well despite the loss of head coach Jim Harbaugh after last season.

Andrew Luck has been impressive as most would expect, and the Cardinal have not played host to a close game yet this season. The Cardinal have a great shot at a title run with only No. 25 Washington and No. 10 Oregon left as ranked opponents on the schedule.

Oregon is the most formidable but the Cardinal have a chance against the Ducks this season. Assuming Stanford wins out they also face a title game for the first time in Pac-12 history at the end of this season. How that fares will be crucial in the Cardinal's BCS placement. 

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State is one of four teams that have its own destiny in their hands this season. All the Cowboys need to do is keep on winning and they will find their way to the national title game.

The only remaining ranked teams on the Cowboys schedule are No. 11 Kansas State and No. 3 Oklahoma. Not to make light of those games, but that isn’t a terrible road to travel considering that the Big 12 doesn’t have a title game this season.

The Cowboys also face explosive teams like Texas Tech and Baylor, but in the end will likely finish the season undefeated as they get ready to host Oklahoma in early December. The Cowboys are likely to stay in their current position until they play Oklahoma and possibly solidify themselves in the title hunt.

3. LSU Tigers

The Tigers currently find themselves atop of the BCS rankings. Being in the No. 1 spot is never easy but the Tigers handle winning well as it has come often in recent years. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they have one of the toughest roads remaining of the undefeated teams.

The Tigers play host Saturday to No. 20 Auburn, then they travel on November 5^th to No. 2 Alabama. Assuming a win comes this week against Auburn, what an epic battle the game in Tuscaloosa will be on the first weekend of November.

The Tigers are very talented and play as good of football as any team in the country, but by the end of November the Tigers will have faced No. 20 Auburn, No. 2 Alabama and No. 9 Arkansas. That is a tough stretch of football for any team. Right now, that stretch looks too tough.

2. Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners are likely to be one of the top two favorites for the BCS in November. By the end of the month the Sooners will have played No. 11 Kansas State and No. 17 Texas A&M back to back. The Sooners also face No. 4 Oklahoma State at the end of the season in early December.

Prior to the December game the Sooners will be favored in each contest. With an undefeated run the Sooners are obviously finding themselves in the title game.

Despite games against three Top 25 teams, the lack of a championship game really helps the Sooners' chances at the title. Coming out of November they are likely to be dead in the hunt and scratching for the top spot before the regular season subsides.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Of the remaining undefeated teams the Crimson Tide quite possibly has one of the easier roads to victory. They do play host to No. 1 LSU on November 5^th and travel to No. 20 Auburn to finish the season, but in both games the Tide is likely to be favored.

Alabama plays Tennessee this coming week and rounds out the schedule with a trip to Mississippi State and a home game against Georgia Southern. Hosting LSU is a huge win for the Tide as home-field advantage is a huge plus in that game.

Assuming that the Tide can pull out the victory over LSU and avoid any letdowns to finish the season, winning the SEC title would just solidify their spot among the title contenders. Beating LSU is the ticket to victory.