BCS Rankings: Oregon Ducks and 1-Loss Teams That Will Prove to Be BCS Worthy

While most of the focus is on undefeated teams like LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma State and Boise State, several teams with blemishes are going to be in the BCS picture moving forward. Chief among them are power-conference teams with just one loss.

Many such teams proved their worth with big wins on Saturday and look to be big-time factors when it comes to making a bid for a BCS Bowl. Here are three one-loss teams that proved to be BCS worthy this week and will continue to do so over the season's final few weeks.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

The No. 14 Nebraska Cornhuskers had fallen off the radar a bit after getting destroyed by the Wisconsin Badgers a few weeks ago, but a 24-3 win over the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans puts them back in the race for the Big Ten title, as well as a BCS Bowl berth.

While offense and the running game in particular have been strong points for the Huskers all season, the defense certainly came up huge against Michigan State. Nebraska had uncharacteristically struggled on defense this season, but they were able to shut down a Spartans offense that was quite good against Wisconsin a week ago. If the Husker defense can build off of this performance, then Nebraska may be the favorite in the Big Ten.

Oklahoma Sooners

The No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners suffered a huge setback last week in losing to the No. 20 Texas Tech Red Raiders, but they were obviously eager to put that loss behind them, as they absolutely crushed the previously undefeated No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats 58-17.

For whatever reason, the Sooners almost always seem to suffer one unexpected loss that knocks them out of title contention. That was the case again this season, but they are still very much alive in the Big 12. Quarterback Landry Jones continued to lead the explosive offense, while the defense really bounced back after a poor performance against Texas Tech.

The Sooners may not go to the National Championship Game, but they can still spoil things for No. 3 Oklahoma State and make it to a BCS Bowl game in their own right.

Oregon Ducks

The No. 7 Oregon Ducks have had to battle back from an opening-week loss to No.1 LSU all season long, and they have continued to get the job done. The Ducks picked up another win by beating the Washington State Cougars 43-28, and they may very well be the favorites when it comes to winning the Pac-12 and earning a Rose Bowl bid.

Oregon has been without quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James in recent weeks, but both returned to face Washington State. While neither player looked particularly great, it was important for them to get game action before entering the tough portion of the Pac-12 schedule. Provided Thomas and James are healthy moving forward, I think the conference is Oregon's to lose.