BCS Rankings Week 9: 5 Dark-Horse Candidates To Land BCS Championship Game

There are seven weeks left of college football, and if there is anything we learned from the sport it is that it's unpredictable. Of course, the power teams from over the years are sitting in the Top 10 right now and are most likely contenders. And then there are those that are not often among the elite.

This year proved to be an unpredictable year. Who are the five dark-horse candidates to land the BCS title game? Will it be your traditional power teams or will it be the teams that surprised everyone as they climbed their way to the top?

It's only Week 9. There is a lot of unpredictability to come. Who are those dark horses?

Alabama

Alabama is currently ranked No. 2 in the BCS rankings and their next game will be against No. 1 LSU. This is the game that they will win.

With the best points against defense, Alabama will hold up well against the Tigers. This is a defense that has only allowed 55 points in eight games. While LSU will be a true test of their skills, the rest of their schedule is mediocre at best.

AJ McCarron had been a strong quarterback with 10 touchdown passes this season. This sophomore quarterback will take Alabama to the top and be a possible contender for the championship game.

Beating LSU will guarantee them first place, and it will be theirs to stay for the remaining of the season.

Oklahoma State

The reason why Oklahoma State is winning their games is largely thanks to their offense. While their opponents score double digits, their offense is able to use their effective passing game to rack up their winning margins by double digits.

Brandon Weeden is making the most of his senior year with the Cowboys. He has already thrown for 2,436 passing yards and for 19 touchdowns. Even the backup quarterback, Clint Chelf, has thrown for three.

Oklahoma State has a tough upcoming schedule with games against No. 8 Kansas State, No. 20 Texas Tech (who beat undefeated No. 2 Oklahoma) and No. 9 Oklahoma.

With the Cowboys' strong offense, they may be able to finish out the season undefeated, and with this tough schedule, they may find themselves in the top two spots.

Boise State

With a mediocre schedule, Boise State always had a hard time proving their worth, even with an undefeated season, to merit an invitation to the BCS championship game. Overall, they have a strong offense and defense in the FBS.

Their quarterback, Kellen Moore, has thrown for 24 touchdowns and 2,010 yards. He tied the NCAA record for 45 wins, a record that he will break with a total of 50 wins if they finish undefeated.

While there are arguments on whether or not Boise State is overrated, if they have another undefeated season, a trip to the BCS title will prove Boise State's competence.

Oregon

Their only loss this season was against the LSU Tigers. Since then, they've won all their games by double digits. Their powerful rushers and high rushing yards are the reason for their offensive success. 

With their upcoming schedule, their double-digit winning streak will continue, but they will face a tough game on the road against No. 6 Stanford. Stanford has one of the best rushing defense in the nation.

They have only allowed 529 rushing yards this season. If Oregon's top rushers like Kenjon Barner and LaMichael James can break through Stanford's defense, Oregon warrants a spot in the Top Five and maybe even a shot at the BCS title game.

Clemson

It may be their enthusiastic love-for-the-game coach Dabo Swinney as the reason why the Clemson Tigers have gotten this far, but this surprising team is on fire and is blazing through the season. They have beaten three ranked teams by double digits.

This undefeated team has a strong offense that is largely to thank for most of their wins. 

With four games left (three of them conference), Clemson faces an average schedule. They have one ranked team left to face in their last game, and considering how South Carolina is ranked by then, this may be the game that could make or break their consideration in the BCS title game.