BCS Rankings 2011: 10 Fanbases Who Should Be Ecstatic

The ever-popular BCS rankings are back with the first installment of 2011.

Overrated teams, computer snubs—the BCS brings it all.

It's always a lightning rod for controversy, but let's fight our inner pessimist and highlight some of the positive stories from the first rankings. There will be plenty of time for angst and anger later in the season.

Here are 10 schools who, along with their fans, should like what they see.

1. LSU

What better place to start than at the top?

LSU has absolutely rolled through their first seven games. A season-opening win over Oregon and a 30-point drubbing of Florida show the strength of the Tigers.

The first batch of BCS rankings have given LSU fans yet another reason to celebrate.

The top spot is especially sweet when you beat out so many other undefeated teams to claim it.

LSU's next two games will be huge. They could slip down in the rankings, or gain a stranglehold on the top spot.

This weekend, LSU welcomes Auburn to Death Valley. Then, following a week off, the Tigers will travel to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

LSU fans are feeling good about their team heading into a pair of SEC battles.

4. Oklahoma State

The Oklahoma State Cowboys' high-flying passing attack has them sitting fourth in the BCS rankings.

Oklahoma State ranks second in the nation in both passing and scoring.

This team hung 70 points on Kansas and owned the state of Texas with road wins in Austin and College Station.

The Bedlam game looms on December 3, but the Cowboys must take care of a tough Kansas State team first, in order to stay in the title hunt.

Oklahoma State is ranked sixth in both the Harris and USA Today polls, but the top rating from the computer component boosts them to No. 4 overall.

Cowboys fans are loving the BCS right now because of the respect that their team is getting from the computers.

7. Clemson

Clemson football lacks the pedigree of powerhouse programs such as LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma, but these Tigers are turning some heads.

This team notched wins against Auburn and Florida State before heading into Lane Stadium and taking down the Hokies.

That is an impressive trio of wins.

What really has these fans giddy, though, is the team's most recent win.

Clemson trailed Maryland by 18 points in the second half.

Their undefeated record and dream season were on the line. This team would probably be bounced from contention with just one slip-up, as any loss would effectively end Clemson's run toward a national title.

Luckily for Tigers fans, Clemson turned it on and scurried out of College Park with a win.

Road trips to Georgia Tech and South Carolina will likely determine the fate of their season.

For now, though, Clemson fans have plenty to be excited about.

11. Kansas State

Kansas State—No. 11?

That's right, K-State is off to a 6-0 start.

Wildcats fans need to enjoy this while it lasts.

After Saturday's rivalry game at Kansas, this team must face Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Texas in consecutive weeks.

Kansas State was not expected to approach the Top 10, but here they are. Things may change soon, though, so now is the time for fans to soak up the glory of this lofty ranking.

12. Virginia Tech

It's been an up-and-down season for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

East Carolina gave them a scare and then, three weeks later, Clemson shut them down.

At No. 12, Virginia Tech has the third highest rank of any one-loss team.

Virginia Tech fans should be pleased to see that their team has gained respect in the polls despite playing a relatively soft schedule.

The only ranked team remaining on Virginia Tech's schedule is Georgia Tech. The November 10 matchup should decide who represents the Coastal division in the ACC Championship game.

Hokie fans are looking for their team to win out and represent the ACC in another BCS bowl game.

13. Nebraska

The Nebraska Cornhuskers come in at No. 13 in the BCS rankings and have a legitimate shot at playing in their very first Big Ten championship game.

In order to play an extra game in Indianapolis, they will have to get past the two teams from Michigan.

The Huskers get the Michigan State Spartans at home to end October and travel to Ann Arbor on November 19.

Between those two divisional games lies an intriguing matchup with Penn State.

Nebraska will have to fight, but all of three are winnable games.

Husker fans should be happy with this ranking, but what they would really love is a chance to get revenge against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship.

15. West Virginia

Mountaineers fans should absolutely love their BCS ranking.

West Virginia has only lost one game and it came at the hands of LSU, a pretty decent team.

The problem is that their biggest win was against a 2-4 Maryland team.

Some of the tougher conference games are still to come, but none of these can give West Virginia the marquee win that it will need.

No. 15 is a strong ranking, but it might also be close to the ceiling for this team.

West Virginia fans have to be happy with their current position, given the schedule that they've played.

17. Texas A&M

Texas A&M comes in at No. 17 in the BCS rankings.

Aggie fans and "12th Man" members should be happy that A&M is the top-ranked two-loss team.

There will be chances for the Aggies to gain ground, as they still have games against Oklahoma, Kansas State and Texas.

While A&M fans would surely like to be higher in the rankings, they can hold out hope that this team can charge up the rankings with a few clutch wins.

21. Penn State

When people think about Penn State football, they often picture Joe Paterno, plain uniforms and an old-school brand of football.

Well, it's all still true.

Anyone who has sat down and watched a Nittany Lion game this year knows that the offense simply does not pass the eye test. Running back Silas Redd has been solid, but the quarterback play? Not so much.

This team has plodded along to a 6-1 record on the strength of its defense.

Penn State will have the opportunity to prove itself against Nebraska and Wisconsin, but the offense will have to pick it up.

Happy Valley should appreciate the rank of No. 21 because this has not looked like a Top 25 team.

23. Illinois

Our final happy fan base comes from the University of Illinois.

The Illini were 6-0 before falling to Ohio State last week.

This is another instance where fans should enjoy the ranking while it lasts.

Ron Zook's squad is playing better than anyone could have expected them to, but there is trouble on the horizon.

Illinois still has to play Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin.

This team has played played well and has a shot at eight, or even nine, wins. Even if the BCS ranking doesn't hold up, fans have to be happy with the effort that this Illini team has given them.