BCS Rankings: 10 Remaining Games on the Schedule with Most Impact

The second BCS rankings are soon to be announced and the chatter of who belongs and who doesn't will start. However, all of that talk is pointless since there are still many games to be played.

We can say the season has officially kicked into high gear since we had our first two heavyweights lose this weekend. While there may be weeks of football left, there are 10 premier games that will have the biggest influence on the BCS standings. Let's take a look at those 10 matchups.

No. 9 Michigan State at No. 13 Nebraska: 10/29

Why You Should Watch

Unless you’re a zombie, you watched one of the greatest finishes to a college football game in recent memory. Michigan State dethroned Wisconsin, a team many thought would have run the table. Instead, the Spartans are alive in their division, with a possible rematch with the Badgers in the Big Ten Championship on the horizon. However, they first must get by a tough Nebraska team in Lincoln. 

Which Nebraska Player Will Go Off

Taylor Martinez should have some success, though he may face an eight- or nine-man front against the nasty Spartans defense with William Gholston returning. Whether it is throwing or running, Martinez should have some success against a Spartans defense that could be a bit tired or too high on emotion after their epic victory.

Which Michigan State Player Will Go Off

The Cornhuskers have had issues up front against the run without Jared Crick, though they obliterated Minnesota over the weekend. If Edwin Baker can find room to run, this game could be a an easy win for MSU in Lincoln. Lavonte David could be an All-American for Nebraska, but he can’t make tackles if the Spartans offensive line is putting him on his back.  

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

This game will go a long way in determining who plays in the Big Ten Championship. Maybe we should not assume the Badgers will play at Lucas Oil Stadium since Penn State has not lost yet, but the Legends Division will likely be decided after this game. The winner will most likely crack the Top 10 and remain as a dark-horse contender to not only win the Big Ten Championship, but perhaps also challenge for a BCS at-large bid.

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

NEBRASKA 21, MICHIGAN STATE 20

TCU at No. 5 Boise State: 11/12

Why You Should Watch

The Broncos should be taking on a 7-2 TCU team who could also be ranked in the Top 25. If the Broncos can flex their muscles, they may crack the Top Three sooner rather than later. If they could remain at No. 3, all they would need is for one of the two teams ahead of them to fall.

Which TCU Player Will Go Off

Casey Pachall has done a solid job this season throwing 17 touchdowns with only four INTs. If he can buy some time with his legs, he might just be able to torch this loaded Broncos defense.  

Which Boise State Player Will Go Off

If you remember Robert Griffin III going bonkers against the Horned Frogs in their season opener, wait until you see what Kellen Moore can do. He has a bevy of receivers who can stretch the field and I am looking for a 300-yard, five-TD performance in this pivotal matchup. 

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

People just assume this game is not important, but every single Boise State game is crucial this season. They struggled against Air Force and they need to go back to demolishing teams. If TCU is ranked and 7-2, this game could go a long way in terms of helping the Broncos reach the BCS National Championship. 

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

BOISE STATE 45, TCU 31

No. 6 Clemson at No. 14 South Carolina: 11/26

Why You Should Watch

With a favorable schedule down the road, the Clemson Tigers have a tremendous opportunity to make some noise nationally. However, they will clearly have to go undefeated to have any chance for playing in the BCS National Championship Game.

Which Clemson Player Will Go Off

Sammy Watkins has not only been the best freshman in America, but arguably the best receiver overall. South Carolina's pressure is tough for most quarterbacks, but Tajh Boyd will look for Watkins early and often against the aggressive Gamecocks defense. 

Which SC Player Will Go Off

Without Marcus Lattimore it will be up to Connor Shaw to light up the secondary of Clemson. Alshon Jeffery is still among the top players in the nation at his position and he might need to carry this team on his back.

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

If Clemson were to come into this game at 11-0, it would be a highly important game. Most likely, Clemson needs the Big 12 winner to have one loss to even dream of playing for all the marbles. Plus, teams like Stanford and Boise State may both be ahead of them. Obviously, I am not counting the ACC Championship or other conference championships in these Top 10 games left in the BCS race.

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

CLEMSON 27, SOUTH CAROLINA 17

Notre Dame at No. 4 Stanford: 11/26

Why Watch

The Fighting Irish were catching fire until they forgot to show up against Southern California. All of a sudden, Stanford is unstoppable, having won their last 10 games by 25 or more points, an FBS record. Stanford could be undefeated overall and if they are 11-0 in game which is Andrew Luck's final collegiate home game, I guarantee you the hype machine will be working overtime, with a possible Heisman and BCS National Championship place on the line. 

Which Notre Dame Player Will Go Off

Michael Floyd is a superstar and might be the best wide receiver in America. Who can stop him? Delano Howell and Michael Thomas are two stud All-American-caliber safeties, but they will need some help from their corners to slow this freak down. 

Which Stanford Player Will Go Off

Andrew Luck is the best player in the nation, but I would look for his backfield-mate Stepfan Taylor to be the biggest reason Stanford is successful. The Cardinal are coming off a sensational game where the team went bonkers, rushing for 446 yards! 

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

Stanford needs a ton of help since they are not even in the Top Five of the first BCS rankings, but the Cardinal have all the tools to make a push atop the standings. Andrew Luck is their superstar quarterback who can lead the Cardinal all the way. With another huge game against USC and Oregon (also Pac-12 title game perhaps), their fate will likely be determined with the play of their defense.

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

STANFORD 45, NOTRE DAME 21

No. 2 Alabama at Auburn: 11/26

Why You Should Watch

In case you been living under a rock for the past two seasons, Alabama and Auburn are your reigning champions. The past two games were thrillers that came down to the wire.

Roy Upchurch caught a game-winning touchdown pass two seasons ago to give the Tide a 26-21 victory and last season was amazing as well. Cam Newton had a memorable game in their 28-27 victory, which was a game where the Tide were up 24-0 in the second quarter. This is the best rivalry in college football at the moment and one of the best in all of sports right now. 

Which Auburn Player Will Go Off

Michael Dyer was insane in the BCS National Championship and is an NFL-caliber back. I did not believe in the Auburn Tigers back in the preseason and just when I thought they were really good, they were smoked 45-10 by LSU. Still, if they can get their quarterback situation fixed, they would remain a serious threat to Alabama.

They still need to be no worse than 7-4 when they host Alabama to be considered a true threat, but the way they are playing in close games, Dyer and the Tigers may have a decent shot with a possible upset. 

Which Alabama Player Will Go Off

This is Trent Richardson's game to lose. It is that simple. He will get 25-30 carries and if he can rush for 150 yards, then the Tide may be well on their way to another BCS National Championship.  

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

Thank God this game is on a Saturday because my head would explode if this game followed the LSU-Arkansas game, which is the night before. The Iron Bowl is one of the best rivalries in all of college football, but lately there has been national title implications. I expect nothing less this time around with the Tigers giving the Crimson Tide all they can handle.

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

ALABAMA 31, AUBURN 14

No. 8 Arkansas at No. 1 LSU: 11/25

Why You Should Watch

Don't just assume Arkansas is out of the BCS picture because Alabama and LSU are ranked first and second in the country. Stranger things have happened, but if Arkansas were to knock off LSU, then I would bank on the Razorbacks reaching a BCS bowl over LSU. If LSU knocks off Alabama, this game would be technically one game away from a BCS National Championship berth with the SEC Championship a week after.

Which Arkansas Player Will Go Off

Can anybody stop Tyler Wilson? The kid has been filthy and only Alabama slowed him down. Auburn and Texas A&M were both carved apart by the Razorbacks' devastating high-octane offense.  

Which LSU Player Will Go Off

At times, Arkansas has struggled to stop the run. That is not a good formula to beat LSU since Spencer Ware has been the bell-cow runner all season long for the Tigers.

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

Wilson has been the best signal caller in the SEC, and by the numbers, LSU has been the best defense in the SEC alongside Alabama. Wilson has found several of his receivers for huge plays including All-SEC candidate Jarius Wright.

If LSU goes in to the Arkansas game and comes out undefeated, this game would go a long way for a BCS National Championship berth.  

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

LSU 27, ARKANSAS 21

No. 11 Oklahoma at No. 10 Kansas State 10/29

Why You Should Watch

Pardon me, but Kansas State continues to impress me each and every week. Why watch? Well, the Sooners now have a loss which means they most likely need to run the table to just get an at-large bid in a BCS bowl.

The winner here will have an edge in the Big 12 title race, as well as an outside chance for the BCS National Championship race (K-State more so). If the Wildcats pull off the upset, they may have a legit chance of running the table.

Which Kansas State Player Will Go Off

Collin Klein has 22 total touchdowns and has been unstoppable this season. He has only thrown three picks and he is the entire offense. 

Which Oklahoma Player Will Go Off

I pick Ryan Broyles to go off in this game. He is one of the greatest receivers in BCS history by the numbers and will need to be targeted a bunch in this one.

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

All of a sudden, this game comes down to whether or not the Sooners can knock off the Wildcats, since they are the ones who are undefeated. If the Sooners manage to escape Manhattan with a victory, they can still win the Big 12 and reach a BCS bowl if they beat Oklahoma State.

However, Bill Snyder has his current program sky high with an exceptional defense, led by Ty Zimmerman and Arthur Brown. The winner will have a leg up alongside OK State to represent the Big 12 in the BCS. 

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

OKLAHOMA 27, KANSAS STATE 21

No. 11 Oklahoma at No. 3 Oklahoma State: 12/3

Why Watch

The winner of this game has an excellent chance at not only winning the Big 12, but perhaps also reaching the national title game. (Obviously, the Sooners need a ton of help.) Obviously, a one-loss Big 12 champion may get passed up by an undefeated Boise State, Big Ten or Pac-12 champion. 

Which Oklahoma Player Will Go Off

Brandon Weeden is one of the best signal callers in the nation and he could make his case for a Heisman run with a victory in the Bedlam game. 

Which Oklahoma Player Will Go Off

Landry Jones went off in the game last year, but has struggled on the road in his career. He got the job done against Florida State (back when they were good) and has all the viable options to come through in the stretch.

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

Bedlam! This was highly entertaining last season and I cannot wait for this game. Landry Jones, Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon and Ryan Broyles! All four are All-American candidates and hang 50 points a week on their opponents.

Both defenses are extremely fast and underrated. If the Cowboys are undefeated, they may never get a better opportunity at making a national title game than this game at home. It would be do-or-die time for the Cowboys against the mighty Sooners, who have their own BCS aspirations (BCS at-large bid, with Fiesta Bowl likely).

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

OKLAHOMA 38, OKLAHOMA STATE 34

No. 7 Oregon at No. 4 Stanford: 11/12

Why You Should Watch

LaMichael James should surely be back for this game in Palo Alto, and Darron Thomas, following his injury, will have a few games under his belt to get back to his best. Andrew Luck could be in running for a Heisman and a possible BCS National Championship Game opportunity. The bigger question is whether or not Stanford is a legit Top Five team?

Which Oregon Player Will Go Off

You can bust my chops for picking the easy option, but LaMichael James could go bonkers in this contest. Stanford does not have the elite speed on the defensive side of the ball and I look for James to rush for over 200 yards and two-plus touchdowns.

Which Stanford Player Will Go Off

Andrew Luck is the best player in the nation and he must find a way to put up 40-plus points on the board. This could be the biggest shootout of the entire season. The Ducks secondary has had some issues and covering the big tight ends of Stanford will be a tough task. I look forward to watching Luck make a few Heisman plays in this game. Will it be enough? 

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

Oregon may very well only have one loss by the time of this game. Still, they will be fighting for their Pac-12 championship lives. Stanford will not have the conference locked up by any means. I like to think Oregon is the better team, but with all the injuries at the moment, destiny could be set for the Cardinal.  

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

OREGON 45, STANFORD 42

No. 1 LSU at No. 2 Alabama: 11/5

Why Watch

Bank on this game being the most sought-after game in BCS regular season history! We rarely ever have a game between No. 1 and No. 2 teams (see Michigan vs. Ohio State '06), and if you are talking about the SEC, holy smokes! This game will perhaps be the most exciting game in a long time. These are two of the more dominating defenses in the BCS era and the winner will be looking great to reach the big game.

Which Alabama Player Will Go Off

Trent Richardson is on a mission to win the Heisman Trophy and lead his team to a national championship. If he can do well against LSU's defense, we might as well just crown him after the game.

Which LSU Player Will Go Off

LSU does not lack playmakers, but the performance of running back Spencer Ware against the Tide's run defense will be critical. However, the game will come down to the passing ability of Jarrett Lee. If Lee can avoid turning the ball over and can will his team to victory, the city of Baton Rouge might make Lee mayor.

National Radar (out of 10)

Final Verdict

Sorry, I know 11 out of 10 is not possible, but it is with these two teams. The two best defenses in America are Alabama and LSU and it is not even that close.

Both teams protect their passer well and they can both run on anybody. They have been unstoppable this season, and the way LSU slowed down Oregon and the way Alabama beat down Arkansas says a lot about both teams. The winner will clearly be ranked No. 1 and the heavy favorite to reach and win the BCS National Championship.

Drama's Way-Too-Early Prediction

LSU 24, ALABAMA 23