BCS Rankings: Kansas State and Teams with Most to Gain from Week 10 Wins

The new BCS rankings saw several teams improve their shots at a big-time bowl, but the standings are far from settled. This trio of schools will have the best chances to climb even higher if they can pull off big wins next Saturday:

Kansas State Wildcats

Even after getting slaughtered by Oklahoma, the Wildcats only fell to No. 14. They have a chance (though not a great one) for big-time redemption in a week’s time against another top-notch conference foe.

Kansas State goes on the road next week against unbeaten Oklahoma State, and a win would certainly vault the Wildcats back into top 10 territory. They’ll need a lot more than the 17 points they put up against the Sooners, but K-State could surprise the Cowboys, especially if the home team looks past a foe that just got blown out.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Into the top 10 for the first time this season, the No. 9 Gamecocks can keep on climbing if they can win their third consecutive conference road game. Unfortunately for South Carolina, beating Arkansas in Fayetteville without Marcus Lattimore won’t be an easy task.

The Razorbacks are ranked No. 7 in the BCS and suffered their only loss on the road at Alabama. South Carolina will need a much better performance than the 14 points they put up against Tennessee if they want to come away with the victory.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

With at least two of the teams above them guaranteed to lose next week, the No. 10 Cornhuskers can gain some valuable ground with a win. They’ll have to avoid the post-win letdown that’s plagued Big Ten powers Wisconsin and Michigan State in the last two weeks.

Nebraska has the advantage of playing at home, where they’ll face the Northwestern Wildcats. Northwestern’s 1-4 conference record doesn’t remotely indicate how well they’ve played, and the Wildcats’ spread could easily outscore Taylor Martinez and company if the Huskers aren’t ready for it.