BCS Rankings: Oregon Ducks and Biggest Early Game Winners of Week 8

With the release of BCS rankings last week, every game of the college football season is now examined with a fine-toothed comb. Here are three teams that helped themselves the most with big wins during the early portion of Week 8.

Kansas State Wildcats

The Wildcats moved to 7-0 with a dominating performance against in-state rival Kansas. The Jayhawks aren't exactly elite competition (actually, quote the opposite), but Kansas State has its fair share of doubters and every win helps prove them wrong.

Dual-threat quarterback Collin Klein scored five touchdowns and didn't turn the ball over, which is exactly the type of efficiency the Wildcats will need over the next three weeks. They play Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M during that period.

Kansas State's defense will need to improve if they plan on pulling off an upset against either Oklahoma team, but don't rule them out quite yet.

Clemson Tigers

Clemson inched closer to a perfect season by dismantling a previously stout North Carolina defense. Tajh Boyd led the way once again with six total touchdowns and 366 yards through the air. If the Tigers run the table, he should receive Heisman consideration.

The Tigers already have wins over three ranked teams on their resume and should have the chance to get at least one more before season's end. Compared to some of the other schedules inside the BCS Top 10, that's a very solid schedule.

Like Kansas State, Clemson's biggest concern is its defense. It's a unit that did come up big on the road against Virginia Tech, however.

Oregon Ducks

Oregon and its high-flying offense continues to hover dangerously inside the Top 10. Kenjon Barner and Tra Carson combined for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns on the ground as the Ducks raced past an inferior Colorado squad.

They still have two ranked teams left on the schedule and are positioning themselves to steal a BCS spot if they win out. The best thing about Oregon is that they have been able to overcome injuries because it's the system, not necessarily the players, that lead to success.

After what should be an easy win over Washington State next week, the Ducks have back-to-back road contests against Washington and Stanford that will go a long way in deciding their fate.