BCS Rankings: The Best BCS Contenders Outside the SEC

The SEC is the center of the college football world. Every fan knows that and will admit to that fact, especially after seeing four different SEC squads win the last five National Championships.

Once again, the SEC dominates the BCS rankings, placing two powerhouse programs at No. 1 and No. 2 to start the BCS off. However, there are five BCS Bowls every year and 10 teams have to play in them. Unfortunately for the SEC, only two of those teams can be from their conference, leaving eight spots open.

The "Other Eight" is beginning to shape up this year, some of them are expected while others are huge surprises. We take a look at which eight teams will be facing off this season in the BCS Bowls. 

Cincinnati

Yes, we have to take a Big East team. No, it's not debatable for this season. Last week, this would have been a slightly easier decision but after seeing Syracuse slaughter the Mountaineers, the Bearcats became the Big East team of choice. 

Cincinnati does boast a 6-1 record and is the highest ranked Big East team in the USA Today and AP polls. Considering how strong the other seven teams on this list are, this is a true let down.

With games against Pitt, West Virginia, and Syracuse left on the schedule, Cincinnati still has a lot to prove, but they have the weapons to be successful in the reeling Big East. 

Kansas State

Kansas State is undefeated and tied for first place in the Big 12. The Wildcats have turned lots of heads this year, making sure people know they are dangerous and a squad to be reckoned with. 

If they continue to impress, they may find themselves playing in a BCS Bowl. An overall solid team on both sides of the ball, K-State faces off against OU next week, followed by games against OSU, Texas A&M and Texas. None of those games will be easy, but finishing with three out of four wins should earn them a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Michigan State

The Spartans stunned the nation last night, finishing out a huge game with a hail mary pass in the final seconds. Michigan State defeated the powerhouse from Wisconsin, mixing up the entire rankings in the process. 

QB Kirk Cousins has shown that his team belongs in the top 10, making a bid to play in the Rose Bowl this season. After getting screwed last year out of a BCS Bowl, the Spartans have rallied from an early loss to now sit in a position to travel down to Los Angeles later this January. 

Oregon

Oregon is a very consistent football team, only losing to the No. 1 team in the nation in the beginning of the season. Now they have the opportunity to win the Pac-12 again and take Oregon Nation down to LA to play the Big Ten representative.

The Ducks are a great team with a lot of talent, speed, and strength. They are tied in conference play with Pac-12 North foe Stanford who they face off against later this year. Win or lose, Oregon has more than a chance to play in a BCS Bowl. 

Clemson

One of the nation's surprise teams, Dabo Swinney and Clemson are atop the ACC and are prepared to travel down to Miami to claim their spot in the Orange Bowl.

Tajh Boyd and the Clemson offense have been amazing this season, amassing huge amounts of yards and performing in clutch situations in huge games. The Tigers are finally coming out from behind their mediocre seasons to jolt the ACC into recognizing that they are the team to beat. 

Boise State

Boise State is no surprise to us anymore. QB Kellen Moore and the Broncos are just too good to be overlooked and seeing as they are having another one of their undefeated seasons, it would be nothing new to see them play in a BCS Bowl.

Boise State boasts a strong offense as well as a stout defense, owning their new conference so far this season. Running the table and finishing out the year in Arizona, New Orleans, or Miami would just be another year for these non-AQ heroes from Idaho.  

Stanford

The Cardinal has done nothing impressive this season except hold onto an undefeated record. Heisman candidate Andrew Luck is a brilliant QB who can take on any opponent and the matchup against Oregon in three weeks will be the Pac-12 game of the year. 

Stanford still has a lot to prove as a team to the BCS, but if they remain consistent, a trip to the Rose Bowl would be well within their reach. They even have the talent to play the SEC in the National Championship if the BCS wants the Cardinal to travel down to New Orleans. 

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys have been nothing short of awesome this entire year. A comeback win against Texas A&M, a strong win over Mizzou and romping of the Texas Longhorns is all proof that OSU belongs in a BCS Bowl. 

Oklahoma State has the high octane offense full of playmakers necessary to pull off a run for the National Championship. If they continue on the pattern they are on now, they have the potential to win their first Big 12 Title and travel to a BCS Bowl either in Arizona or Louisiana.