BCS Rankings: Oklahoma State and the Teams That Must Secure Blowout Victories

There's a lot of talk in college football about style points. In other words, the way elite teams attempt to illustrate their dominance to the voters. Here are three teams that must not only win in Week 9, but win big in order to gain more support from the Harris and USA Today polls.

No. 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys

Six of the seven BCS computers rank Oklahoma State as the best team in the nation, so the Cowboys don't have to worry about impressing the number crunchers. However, the polls rank them third and fourth, so there's work left to do.

The Cowboys are going to score a lot of points, so the defense is the unit that actually needs to step up. They are giving up 27 points per game, mostly against teams with offenses not as good as Baylor, which is likely the reason voters remain skeptical.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 49, Baylor 28

No. 7 Oregon Ducks

Oregon is the top one-loss team according to the latest BCS rankings and still has enough résumé-building games left to make a run toward the top. However, the Ducks must first focus on destroying an undermanned Washington State squad.

The Ducks haven't won by fewer than two touchdowns since an opening-week loss to LSU and have been hovering around the top 10, waiting for other teams to have high-profile losses. If Oregon can run the table, there is still a chance it ends up in the national title game.

Prediction: Oregon 52, Washington State 14

No. 17 Houston Cougars

Houston is suffering from Boise State syndrome. Playing in a weaker conference with a lack big wins during the non-conference portion of the schedule means all they can do is blow out opponents and hope voters show them some respect.

Case Keenum leads the nation's top offense and has put up one of the most impressive careers in recent college football memory. Should the Cougars run the table, including the Conference USA Championship Game, he should receive some Heisman hype.

Prediction: Houston 48, Rice 13