BCS Standings: Nebraska and More BCS Dark Horses That Improved Stock in Week 8

While most of the national spotlight is on the BCS' top teams, there are several dark horse contenders that plan on crashing the party. Here are three teams that helped their cause with key victories in Week 8 that kept those dreams alive.

1. Houston Cougars

The nation's most surprising undefeated team kept rolling on Saturday by dismantling the Marshall Thundering Herd. Case Keenum led the way once again, throwing for 376 yards and six touchdowns while completing 86 percent of his passes.

Eight different receivers caught passes and six of them found the end zone. It's tough to imagine any Conference-USA foe having enough defensive talent to stop that many different weapons. Especially since Houston doesn't face UCF, which is the conference's top scoring defense.

It's impossible to tell where the BCS will rank the Cougars if they finish 13-0, including a triumph in the Conference-USA Championship Game because there are so many variables. All the Cougars can do is keep winning and hope for the best.

2. Virginia Tech Hokies

Logan Thomas and the Hokies are angling toward a rematch against the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship Game with a chance at revenge and a BCS trip. A two-score win over Boston College kept them on track to do just that.

David Wilson averaged nearly eight yards per carry and scored a touchdown to help lead the offense. The defense has looked better in recent weeks after a hiccup against Miami (FL) and should be back on track.

That's key because it's that side of the ball that carried the team through the early weeks. If the defense can find elite form over the season's final four games, the Hokies should put themselves in position for a return trip to Bank of America Stadium.

3. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Overlooked since their loss to Wisconsin, Nebraska was ranked 13th in the initial BCS rankings and continued its trek back toward a BCS game by blowing out Minnesota. Rex Burkhead carried the load with 113 yards and a touchdown.

The Cornhuskers still have two ranked teams left on their schedule, so there is still a couple of chances to build up the résumé. If they can win out in the regular season, they'll likely get another chance at Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Preparing the defense for that test will be the main priority over the final five weeks. All told, it's definitely too early to count out the Cornhuskers.