BCS Rankings 2011: Wisconsin Badgers and Teams Sure to Fall in Rankings

After what was a weekend filled with surprises around the nation, there are certainly some big-time changes sure to go down in the Week 9 BCS Rankings.

Headlined by the No. 16 Michigan State upset of the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers, there were several intriguing results in Week 8 of college football.

These are the Wisconsin Badgers and the three teams sure to fall in the rankings after disappointing performances this week.

No. 3: Illinois Fighting Illini (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten)

The No. 23 Fighting Illini were barely holding on to a top-25 ranking after losing at home to Ohio State 17-7. Now with a second consecutive loss, losing at Purdue to a team just barely over .500, the Fighting Illini are now sure to be on the outside looking in.

In the two losses, the most evident issue has been a lack of offensive production, simply an inability to put points up on the board. After putting up 38 and 41 points in consecutive weeks to start off the month of October, the team has combined for 21 points over the last two weeks.

Sure enough, this more than warrants a dropping in the rankings.

No. 2: Oklahoma Sooners (6-1, 3-1 Big 12)

Although they were a team predicted by many to make a run at a BCS title, especially considering the No. 1 LSU Tigers and the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide were to soon meet in the season, their hopes may now be all but over.

The Sooners lost to a significantly weaker Texas Tech team, and they are now more than likely going to find themselves outside the top-five.

The biggest issue for the Sooners: an inconsistency on the defensive end. Allowing 24 first-half points to the Red Raiders would come to haunt them in the end.

No. 1: Wisconsin Badgers (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten)

Most, including myself, figured the Badgers were easily a top-five team and a squad with as much talent as any in the league offensively.

That may be, but BCS title contenders might just be something simply out of the question.

The Badgers lost to the No. 16 Michigan State Spartans, who are certainly a quality team but not one of which should have controlled the tempo in the football game like they did. The Badgers were down for  a better part of the contest and didn't have an answer for the Spartans defense.

The 31 points scored in the game was a season-low for Wisconsin. Expect the Badgers to drop quickly in the ranks after this big-time loss in Week 8.