BCS Rankings: How We Could Get to a Chaos Scenario

The second edition of the 2011 BCS rankings are out. With eight weeks of the season in the books, BCS national championship speculation is in full swing.

The BCS system works best when the final situation is cut and dry. Two undefeated teams make the BCS's decision a very easy one.

However, that rarely happens. Once that scenario goes out the window, the BCS picture becomes very murky.

Having just one undefeated team left takes away half of the championship decision. But, what if every significant team winds up with one blemish on their record?

Chaos, that's what.

Here's how the BCS can go from being straight-forward to mayhem by the end of the season

Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners fell from No. 3 in the BCS's first set of rankings down to No. 9 in the second edition. The Sooners are 6-1 after their Week 8 loss to Texas Tech.

The Red Raiders stunning upset in Norman puts Oklahoma in a must-win scenario over the final five games of the season.

Three of the Sooners' final five games are against ranked opponents. Kansas State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State will all be hungry to derail any shred of Oklahoma's title hopes.

The Sooners are as talented as anyone on both sides of the ball.

If they can win out and defeat their in-state rival Oklahoma State in the season's final week, the Sooners will be back in the good graces of the BCS.

A powerhouse program with one loss will throw a major wrench in the BCS title picture.

Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks are 6-1, and No. 7 in the current BCS rankings.

The Ducks' lone loss came at the hands of current-No. 1 LSU in Week 1.

Oregon has some work to do if they hope to return to the BCS National Championship game this season. The Ducks must travel to Stanford in Week 11, and win if they want to keep their hopes alive.

The only other potential hiccup lies with the inconsistent USC Trojans. Expect the Ducks to handle Lane Kiffin's boys in the comforts of Autzen Stadium.

If Oregon can run the table from here on out, they will be very much alive in any title talks. The quality and timing of their loss to the Tigers will go a long way in the eyes of the BCS.

Stanford Cardinal

The Stanford Cardinal are No. 6 in this week's edition of the BCS standings. The Cardinal are 7-0 after defeating Washington handily in Week 8.

Despite the consistency of quarterback Andrew Luck, an unproven Stanford squad is bound to stumble at some point. Matchups against USC, Oregon and Notre Dame are all potential pitfalls for David Shaw's squad.

Last season, Stanford looked ready for Oregon early and lost their grip. This season, the same thing will happen. Because of this Stanford will not be a shoe-in for the title game, but they will still be very much in the picture.

Stanford's strength of schedule isn't anything special. A late loss to the Ducks could severely damage their title hopes.

One loss or not, Stanford will be right in the thick of things from wire-to-wire this season.

Clemson Tigers

The Clemson Tigers are an unexpected 8-0 to start the season. The BCS has awarded the Tigers with a No. 5 ranking in this week's BCS rankings.

Clemson's resume is solid. Three victories over Top 25 opponents shows the Tigers as a proven and battle-tested team.

Of their remaining games, Georgia Tech and South Carolina will present the biggest challenge for Clemson.

Look for the Gamecocks to get the better of their in-state rival in the final week of the season. This won't ruin Clemson's BCS hopes. The ACC championship game will give Clemson a chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the committee.

If South Carolina does not beat the Tigers they could be a gimme-pick for the BCS National Championship game.

A Clemson loss would cloud the BCS picture and complicate things at the last possible moment.

Boise State Broncos

Boise State is 7-0 through Week 8 of the college football season. The Broncos No. 4 ranking in this week's BCS standings is encouraging to Boise hopefuls.

Last season, Boise had an unthinkable slip-up against Nevada. This season, Boise State will in Week 11 against TCU.

Realistically, if Boise State loses one game they won't be given the light of day by the BCS committee. However, the Broncos will always be in the conversation as long as anyone believes in an underdog.

A Boise loss seems unfathomable considering their weak schedule, but this is college football.

Crazier things have happened. Crazier things will happen when Boise loses and the BCS is left to scramble once again.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are 7-0 and No. 3 in the BCS rankings this week.

Their early success is encouraging but the Cowboys still have tough sledding ahead. Kansas State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma are looming large in the eyes of hopeful Oklahoma State faithful.

The Cowboys will handle the Wildcats and the Red Raiders. However, Oklahoma will stop them in their tracks in the final week of the season.

A Sooner victory would boost their BCS resume and throw a major complication into an already-unclear BCS picture.

A one-loss Cowboys' team will remain in the BCS mix, but the committee's decision won't be nearly as clear cut.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is 8-0 heading into their Week 10 matchup against No. 1 LSU. The Crimson Tide currently sit right behind the Tigers in the BCS standings at No. 2.

LSU is going to be Alabama's only loss this season.

If the Tigers defeat Alabama, the Crimson Tide are all but out of the SEC Championship game. Based on their program prestige, talent and overall reputation this one loss will not totally dash Alabama's national title hopes.

The Crimson Tide are as talented as anyone. Their one loss against LSU is a minor fault on an otherwise flawless season.

The BCS will take this into account when evaluating Alabama at the end of the season, making their decision all the more difficult.

LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers are the current No. 1 team in the BCS rankings because of their 8-0 record and incredible resume.

The Tigers have beaten five ranked teams so far this season. When the Tigers finish the regular season undefeated, they will have beaten seven Top 25 teams.

A flawless regular season is excellent, but the Tigers will lose at the worst possible time, the SEC Championship.

A Tiger loss in their final determining game is the BCS's worst nightmare. At this point, there is not doubting LSU's ability, but the system is the system.

Conclusion

So, to sum up this fiasco:

-Oklahoma and Oregon win their remaining games

-Stanford falls to Oregon

-Clemson loses in the final week to South Carolina

-Boise State gets tripped up by TCU

-Oklahoma State has their hopes dashed by the Sooners

-Alabama loses a heartbreaker to LSU

-LSU almost runs the gauntlet, but trips up in the SEC Championship game

That leaves eight teams with one loss. Seven of those teams are from power conferences. The BCS is a mess on a normal season.

This isn't a mess...it's chaos.