BCS Standings: Michigan Wolverines and More BCS Pretenders

With several high-ranking teams falling on Saturday, some unexpected teams will be climbing the BCS ladder. This trio of Saturday winners, however, won’t be in the BCS bowl picture come season’s end:

Michigan Wolverines

A blowout win over a nondescript Purdue squad was a nice boost for Denard Robinson’s stats, but won’t cut much ice with the BCS. In fact, the Wolverines have just one more date with a ranked opponent in the regular season: a Nov. 19 showdown with Nebraska in Ann Arbor.

Even with a win over the Huskers, Michigan just hasn’t beaten enough top-level opponents to beat out an SEC squad like Arkansas for at-large consideration. Unless they win the first-ever Big Ten title game, the Wolverines will find themselves on the outside where the BCS is concerned.

Houston Cougars

Case Keenum’s record-setting nine-TD performance against Rice, combined with many losses above them, will help the Cougars jump up from their No. 17 ranking. At the end of the day, though, Conference USA just doesn’t have the cachet to keep Houston relevant on the national scene.

While the country is salivating over matchups like LSU-Alabama and Stanford-Oregon, Houston will be playing Tulane and SMU. Even assuming a (likely) undefeated finish, the Cougars will be far behind fellow non-AQ power Boise State as far as the BCS is concerned.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Joe Paterno’s team deserves loads of credit for gutting out their coach’s latest record-breaking win yesterday over Illinois. However, the future is far from bright in Happy Valley.

With two weeks to prepare for their home date with Nebraska, it’s not impossible Penn State will notch one more upset. However, the odds of sweeping road dates with rising Ohio State and still-dangerous Wisconsin are slim and none.