BCS Rankings 2011: Will Oklahoma, Wisconsin Losses Lead to Boise State Shot?

Entering Week 8, the Oklahoma Sooners were ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. The Wisconsin Badgers were ranked right behind Oklahoma at No. 4.

After Week 8, both teams are no longer undefeated. Neither team is in the AP Top 10 entering Week 9. Oklahoma is No. 11, while Wisconsin fell to No. 12 in the AP Top 25. 

Any time two teams fall out of the upper echelon of the current rankings, someone is ready to step up and take their place, at least temporarily.

Usually, the polls and the BCS system lend the advantage to teams playing in power conferences with presumably strong schedules.

The Boise State Broncos are rarely given the chance to jump into the cream of the crop. The Broncos almost always face the excruciating task of watching team after team jump their undefeated record in the Top 5.

Boise State is currently 7-0. In the Week 9 edition of the AP poll, the Broncos received one vote to take the top spot.

After Week 7, the Oklahoma State Cowboys leapfrogged the Broncos for the No. 4 ranking in the BCS standings. With the losses suffered by the Sooners and Badgers, you would think Boise State would have a legitimate chance to move up.

I mean, how couldn't they, right?

Despite the usual logic behind Boise's worthiness, the Broncos were jumped yet again after Week 8. Instead of bumping up one spot in the AP poll, the Broncos were jumped by both Oklahoma State and Stanford.

Granted, Stanford scored a victory over No. 25 Washington in Week 8. Not a great victory, but solid nonetheless.

Oklahoma State scored a lopsided victory over Missouri in order to maintain their perfect mark through eight weeks of the season.

The Broncos defeated Air Force in Week 8. The Falcons are not of the same merit as Washington or Missouri. Same story, different season in Boise.

Boise State's best victory has already happened. In Week 1, the Broncos defeated Georgia in an attempt to prove themselves on a national stage.

The rest of the Broncos' schedule is littered with cupcake opponents. No one left on their schedule will faze BCS voters or college football pollsters.

LSU, Alabama, Stanford and Oklahoma State all currently sit ahead of Boise State in the rankings. All four of these teams play in major conferences and have at least one major test remaining against a ranked opponent.

Boise State will most likely run the table this season. However, they will continue to get passed over.

Expect Boise to tread water right outside of the BCS championship picture like usual. Look for the Clemson Tigers to jump the Broncos if things continue on this path. The Tigers currently sit at No. 6 in the AP poll.

The BCS has not needed much of a reason to keep Boise on the outside-looking-in over past seasons.

Stout conference schedules will keep the college football titans the same at the top, while Boise will be left wondering what if, once again.