College Football Week 8: Who Are the BCS Top 25 Playing?

The BCS Polls have officially been released and here is how the top 25 has shaken out:

1. LSU Tigers
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma Sooners
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys
5. Boise State Broncos
6. Wisconsin Badgers
7. Clemson Tigers
8. Stanford Cardinal
9. Arkansas Razorbacks
10. Oregon Ducks
11. Kansas State Wildcats
12. Virginia Tech Hokies
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
14. South Carolina Gamecocks
15. West Virginia Mountaineers
16. Michigan State Spartans
17. Texas A&M Aggies
18. Michigan Wolverines
19. Houston Cougars
20. Auburn Tigers
21. Penn State Nittany Lions
22. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
23. Illinois Fighting Illini
24. Texas Longhorns
25. Washington Huskies

With the polls officially released and Week 8 already underway (with a Tuesday game that featured Arkansas State beating Florida International 34-16), here is a list of every top 25's matchup in Week 8 of the 2011 college football season.

25. Washington Huskies at No. 8 Stanford Cardinal (10/22 8:00pm ET ABC/ESPN3)

Washington Huskies 2011 Record:    

5-1

Stanford Cardinal 2011 Record:

6-0

Location:

Stanford Stadium - Stanford, California

Projection:

Despite a hot start to their 2011 campaign with their only loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, don't expect Washington to walk out of their crucial Pac-12 game with the Stanford Cardinal and Andrew Luck unscathed.

Though QB Keith Price has replaced Husky legend Jake Locker fairly well, and RB Chris Polk is still a productive back, expect the Huskies to lose their second game of the season in Stanford in a tough battle featured on ABC.

24. Texas Longhorns: Bye

Texas Longhorn 2011 Record:

4-2

Location:

BYE

Projection:

The Longhorns have a much-needed bye this week as they prepare for a crucial second half of the season where they will look to remain relevant in the Big 12 after a disappointing 2010 campaign.

23. Illinois Fighting Illini at Purdue (10/22 12:00pm ET ESPN2/ESPN3)

Illinois Fighting Illini 2011 Record:

6-1 

Purdue Boilermakers 2011 Record:

3-3

Location:

Ross-Ade Stadium - West Lafayette, Indiana

Projection:

After suffering their first loss to a very good and young Ohio State team, the Fighting Illini will be looking to continue their own surprise season against the Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette.

It is important to note that Illinois still has a shot at the Big Ten title and expect them to continue playing extremely well against a Purdue team that is also playing fairly well and will be looking to surprise the Big Ten teams as well.

Though the Illini should win this game, expect the Boilermakers to defend their home turf by holding the game close into the fourth quarter.

22. Georgia Tech at Miami (FL) (10/22 3:30pm ET ESPN/ESPN3)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2011 Record:

6-1 

Miami (FL) Hurricanes 2011 Record

3-3

Location:

Sun Life Stadium - Miami, Florida

Projection: UPSET ALERT

Though they did suffer a close defeat at the hands of the Virginia Cavaliers last weekend, the Yellow Jackets are a very good team, especially with their dangerous triple-option rushing attack that can fool even the best defenses.

With a game against Clemson looming on the horizon, look for the Yellow Jackets to fall into a trap game against a fairly good Miami team that was supposed to contend in the ACC until all of their well-documented offseason issues.

If Jacory Harris can limit his mistakes in this game (aka throwing less than three interceptions), look for the Hurricanes to upset the Yellow Jackets, sending them out of the BCS top 25.

21. Penn State Nittany Lions at Northwestern Wildcats (10/22 7:30pm ET BTN)

Penn State Nittany Lions 2011 Record: 

6-1

Northwestern Wildcats 2011 Record:

2-4

Location:

Ryan Field - Evanston, Illinois

Projection:

So far this year, Penn State has only lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide—the No. 2 team in the nation according to the BCS Polls.

Despite this loss, the Nittany Lions still stand at an impressive 6-1 and are very much in contention for the Big Ten title, though they are an outside shot as many people don't believe they will have what it takes to get through the rest of their schedule unscathed.

Though the Wildcats do have Dan Persa back in the lineup and will be playing host to Penn State, look for the Nittany Lions to roll over a Northwestern team while they also start to make a real impact in the Big Ten.

20. Auburn Tigers at No. 1 LSU Tigers (10/22 3:30pm ET CBS)

Auburn Tigers 2011 Record: 

5-2

LSU Tigers 2011 Record:

7-0

Location:

Tiger Stadium - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Projection: UPSET ALERT

With the suspensions of outstanding players CB Tyrann Mathieu and RB Spencer Ware for the LSU Tigers for at least this game, things have become a lot more interesting.

The defending BCS national champs will be traveling to Death Valley in an SEC clash where LSU is favored to win but where Auburn's team shall grow and develop into a threat to beat just about any team in the nation.

Expect RB Michael Dyer to have a big game and for QB Barrett Trotter to take advantage of the absence of CB Tyrann Mathieu. The Auburn defense will also take advantage of the absence of RB Spencer Ware and key on stopping the passing attack and rattling whatever QB takes snaps for the LSU Tigers.

Auburn is going to go into this game as underdogs, but come out of it as one of the teams who creates an absolute mess atop the BCS standings.

War Eagle.

19. Houston Cougars vs. Marshall Thundering Herd

Houston Cougars 2011 Record:

6-0

Marshall Thundering Herd 2011 Record:

3-4

Location:

Robertson Stadium - Houston, Texas

Projection:

With Case Keenum back in the lineup and looking to break just about every NCAA QB record, look for the Houston Cougars to roll in an easy one as they play host to the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Though they are not a team who will make it into the BCS national championship undefeated, expect them to contend for a BCS bowl appearance come the end of the year.             

18. Michigan Wolverines: Bye

Michigan Wolverines 2011 Record:

6-1

Location:

BYE

Projection:

Coming off a tough game against Michigan State where they all but said goodbye to their BCS national championship hopes, the Michigan Wolverines needed this week to take a breath before heading back into Big Ten play and their pursuit of the Big Ten title.

17. Texas A&M Aggies at Iowa State Cyclones (10/22 3:30pm ET ABC/ESPN3)

Texas A&M Aggies 2011 Record:

4-2

Iowa State Cyclones 2011 Record:

3-3

Location:

Jack Trice Stadium - Ames, Iowa

Projection:

Despite a 4-2 record, don't forget that the Aggies are still one of the most dangerous teams in the nation.

While Iowa State did get off to a very hot start at 3-0, they have cooled off as of late and are still a team that needs to make further improvements.

Look for the Aggies to roll in this one as they look to get into the second half of their 2011 season on a good foot.

16. Michigan State Spartans vs. No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers (10/22 8:00pm ET ESPN)

Michigan State Spartans 2011 Record:

5-1

Wisconsin Badgers 2011 Record:

6-0

Location:

Spartan Stadium - East Lansing, Michigan

Projection: UPSET ALERT

For the second straight week in a row, East Lansing and Spartan Stadium will be rocking as another top-ranked opponent comes in trying to keep their undefeated season alive.

Wisconsin is one of the better teams in the nation, but this is a game that they will be overwhelmed in as Michigan State's defense locks down and proves that it is back to lay its claim in the front seat to the Big Ten title.

Michigan State is carrying too much momentum and having the game played at home under the lights is going to prove too much for a Badger team that will be looking ahead to their date with Ohio State.

Expect this game to be a defensive showdown that is contested until the very end.

15. West Virginia Mountaineers at Syracuse Orange (10/21 8:00pm ET ESPN/ESPN3)

West Virginia Mountaineers 2011 Record:

5-1

Syracuse Orange 2011 Record:

4-2

Location:

Carrier Dome - Syracuse, New York

Projection:

Though Syracuse has made an improvement this year, West Virginia's offense led by outstanding QB Geno Smith will prove too much for an Orange team that still has improvements to make.

The Mountaineers have only lost to the now BCS No. 1 LSU Tigers and are priming themselves for a run at the Big East Title, something that should be relatively easy to accomplish considering the lack of depth in a fairly weak conference. 

*On an extreme side note, congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals as they just won Game 1 of the 2011 World Series, although I still think the Rangers will win it all. 

14. South Carolina Gamecocks: Bye

South Carolina Gamecocks 2011 Record:

6-1

Location:

BYE

Projection:

After losing QB Stephen Garcia to suspension/release the previous week and having star running back Marcus Lattimore now lost for the rest of the season, the bye for the Gamecocks could not come at a better time.

Spurrier will have lots of work to do these next two weeks, but not having to prepare for an opponent this week will definitely help him develop a quality game plan for the rest of the season. 

13. Nebraska Cornhuskers at Minnesota Golden Gophers (10/22 3:30pm ET ABC/ESPN2)

Nebraska Cornhuskers 2011 Record:

5-1

Minnesota Golden Gophers 2011 Record:

1-5

Location:

TCF Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Projection:

I give all of the credit to Coach Gill and the strength that he has shown in coming back from his medical scare, but the Golden Gophers are clearly overmatched in this game and will fall to a Nebraska team who has only lost to the Wisconsin Badgers, who are doing quite well themselves.

Led by Taylor Martinez and a pretty stout defense, the Cornhuskers are still eyeing a potential BCS bowl as they try to ascend the ranks of the BCS top 25.

12. Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Boston College Eagles (10/22 3:00pm ET ESPN3)

Virginia Tech Hokies 2011 Record:

6-1

Boston College Eagles 2011 Record:

1-5

Location:

Lane Stadium - Blacksburg, Virginia

Projection:

There was once a time when Boston College would be a favorite in this game, but those years have definitely passed as Logan Thomas is the new QB sensation in the ACC (arguably alongside QB Tajh Boyd of the undefeated Clemson Tigers).

Despite losing to Clemson, Virginia Tech remains near the top of the BCS ranks and will be waiting for Clemson to slip up in order to take advantage of an automatic qualification for a BCS game.

Don't expect the Hokies to slip up against the Eagles in Blacksburg and expect them to win fairly easily. 

11. Kansas State Wildcats at Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas State Wildcats 2011 Record:

6-0

Kansas Jayhawks 2011 Record:

2-4

Location:

Memorial Stadium - Manhattan, Kansas

Projection:

Despite having an impressive 6-0 record, there is still quite a bit of skepticism about the kind of game that Kansas State can actually play, and a lot of that will be defined in the next few weeks, though they should be able to dispose of in-state rival Kansas Jayhawks fairly easily.

While the Wildcats will lose one or two games during the second half of the season, their game against the Jayhawks will definitely result in a win. 

10. Oregon Ducks at Colorado Buffaloes (10/22 3:40pm ET)

Oregon Ducks 2011 Record:

5-1

Colorado Buffaloes 2011 Record:

1-6

Location:

Folsom Field - Boulder, Colorado

Projection:

After a season-opening loss to BCS No. 1 LSU, the Oregon Ducks have not lost a game despite facing several injuries, including to their star RB LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas.

Though they did lose these starters against Arizona State, the Ducks proved they have the depth to still win games, although James and Thomas should be back very soon (maybe even for the game against the Buffaloes if needed).

Colorado continues their long journey through their first season in the Pac-12 and will not be able to handle the speed and tenacity that Oregon will bring into Boulder as the Ducks will steamroll the Buffs.

9. Arkansas Razorbacks at Ole Miss Rebels (10/22 12:21pm ET SEC/ESPN3)

Arkansas Razorbacks 2011 Record:

5-1

Ole Miss Rebels 2011 Record:

2-4

Location:

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium - Oxford, Mississippi

Projection:

The Razorbacks are another one of those teams that had the unfortunate odds of playing against a now top-ranked team and ultimately fell to the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, they have rebounded and are looking to improve upon their 5-1 record as they face the Ole Miss Rebels and prove that they belong in a BCS Bowl game.

Though the Rebels will put up a fight at first, look for the Razorbacks to overwhelm an Ole Miss team and pull away in the second half. 

8. Stanford Cardinal vs. No. 25 Washington Huskies (10/22 8:00pm ET ABC/ESPN3)

Stanford Cardinal 2011 Record:

6-0

Washington Huskies 2011 Record:

5-1

Location:

Stanford Stadium - Stanford, California

Projection:

As mentioned earlier, though Washington has made huge strides in the Sarkisian era, the Huskies are not at the Stanford Cardinal level yet. 

Andrew Luck is going to be the No. 1 pick overall this year in the 2012 NFL draft and will be able to pick apart the Huskies defense en route to a 7-0 record.

While the Cardinal will win this game, look for the Huskies to gain an early lead but then give it up in the second half as Luck shows why he is the top Heisman contender.

7. Clemson Tigers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (10/22 12:00pm ET ESPN/ESPN3)

Clemson Tigers 2011 Record:

7-0

North Carolina Tar Heels 2011 Record:

5-2

Location:

Memorial Stadium (Death Valley) - Clemson, South Carolina

Projection:

The North Carolina Tar Heels are quite a good team this year, but the Clemson Tigers are that much better, so don't expect the Tar Heels to really challenge the Tigers, especially in Death Valley.

Quarterback Tajh Boyd has led the Tigers to become one of the most surprising teams in the nation, and he may just be able to lead them to an appearance in the BCS national championship if all of the right pieces fall in place.

6. Wisconsin Badgers at No. 16 Michigan State Spartans (10/22 8:00pm ET

Wisconsin Badgers 2011 Record:

6-0

Michigan State Spartans 2011 Record:

5-1

Location:

Spartan Stadium - East Lansing, Michigan

Projection: UPSET ALERT

QB Russell Wilson has taken the Badgers to new heights, but as mentioned earlier, the atmosphere surrounding Spartan Stadium will overwhelm the Badgers en route to their first loss of the season.

The Michigan State defense is probably the best defense the Badgers will face this season and will have a good game plan to stop the threat of Russell Wilson and his surrounding weapons.

Though they may lose this game, still look for Wisconsin to contend for the Big Ten championship come the end of the season. 

5. Boise State Broncos vs. Air Force Falcons (10/22 3:30pm ET VERSUS)

Boise State Broncos 2011 Record:

6-0

Air Force Falcons 2011 Record:

3-3

Location:

Bronco Stadium - Boise, Idaho

Projection:

I give as much respect as I can to the men in uniform as possible but this is one the Air Force Falcons cannot win. 

Whether it be the smurf turf or the unbelievable play of Kellen Moore, the Broncos are virtually unstoppable at home. 

Look for the Broncos to roll in this one as they try to assert themselves in the national title race.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys at Missouri Tigers (10/22 12:00pm ET FX)

Oklahoma State Cowboys 2011 Record:

6-0

Missouri Tigers 2011 Record:

3-3

Location:

Faurot Field - Columbia, Missouri

Projection:

Coming off a crucial win against the Texas Longhorns, the Oklahoma State Cowboys will look to continue their pursuit of a national championship against the always dangerous Missouri Tigers.

Though the Tigers have proven that they can beat some fairly good teams, the Cowboys' offense is just too good this year to falter against the Tigers. 

Eventually, I see the Cowboys losing a game or two but this will definitely not be the game where there national title hopes are ruined. 

3. Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (10/22 8:00pm ET ABC/ESPN3)

Oklahoma Sooners 2011 Record:

6-0

Texas Tech Red Raiders 2011 Record:

4-2

Location:

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Norman, Oklahoma

Projection:

Big Game Bob Stoops is at it again and looking to take his Boomer Sooner team back to the national championship and will have a fairly easy task in taking care of the Red Raiders at home this weekend. 

Though the Red Raiders do boast one of the best passing offenses in the nation, the Oklahoma defensive backfield will put stress on Texas Tech that they have not seen this year, forcing their quarterback, Seth Doege, to making mistakes that the Sooners will ultimately take advantage of.

Look for the Sooners to win this one in convincing fashion.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennesse Volunteers (10/22 7:15pm ET ESPN2)

Alabama Crimson Tide 2011 Record:

7-0

Tennessee Volunteers 2011 Record:

3-3

Location:

Bryant-Denny Stadium - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Projection:

The Volunteers are definitely taking strides in the right direction, but the Crimson Tide will assert their dominance in the SEC with a big win over the Volunteers at home.

Alabama might have the best defense in the nation and will use this to pressure the Tennessee all night long en route to a huge victory before their bye week, where they will prepare for what is most likely one of the season's biggest games–LSU vs. Alabama on November 5.

1. LSU Tigers vs. No. 20 Auburn Tigers (10/22 3:30pm ET CBS)

LSU Tigers 2011 Record:

7-0

Auburn Tigers 2011 Record:

5-2

Location:

Tiger Stadium - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Projection: UPSET ALERT

As mentioned earlier in the slide about the Auburn Tigers game this weekend against the LSU Tigers, this weekend will see the No. 1 team in the nation lose.

While I don't think that LSU would have lost with CB Tyrann Mathieu and RB Spencer Ware in the lineup, those two high-profile players make all the difference in this game as the Auburn Tigers will win a thriller against the LSU Tigers.

Don't expect LSU to be out of the SEC title game, however, as they have a huge game against Alabama in two week's time where they can recover and prove that they are still part of the top teams in the nation.