BCS Rankings: Predicting the Week 10 Results for Every BCS Top 25 Team

From all the talk you're going to hear this week, you're probably going to think that the LSU-Alabama game is the only one on the Week 10 college football schedule, but don't be fooled. There are some great potential matchups that will be played outside of Tuscaloosa on Saturday.

There are a lot of games that could have an effect on next week's BCS standings, and there are a few Top 25 teams that will definitely need to be on upset alert.

Here's a look at my early predictions for this week's game involving teams that are currently ranked in the BCS standings.

No. 1 LSU at No. 2 Alabama

Prediction: LSU 23, Alabama 17

In a battle of two evenly matched powerhouses, I’m going to side with the team with more experience and versatility at quarterback, and that’s LSU.

This one will ultimately come down to which quarterback makes the fewest mistakes, and I trust Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson more than I trust first-year starter A.J. McCarron.

Alabama has the home-field advantage, but I think LSU is the better all-around team.

No matter who wins, let’s just hope that the SEC showdown lives up to the hype.

No. 14 Kansas State at No. 3 Oklahoma State

Prediction: Oklahoma State 37, Kansas State 23

Kansas State is now in the same position as Texas was earlier in the season.

After getting rocked by Oklahoma last week, the Wildcats will now have to figure out how to slow down Oklahoma State’s high-powered offensive attack, which currently ranks second in the country in scoring offense and fourth in the country in total offense, averaging 50 points and 555 yards per game.

After watching the Wildcats get exposed in such brutal fashion last week, it’s hard to get excited about Kansas State’s chances in this one.

No. 4 Stanford at Oregon State

Prediction: Stanford 40, Oregon State 24

This will be Oregon State’s Super Bowl, and you have to expect some sort of emotional letdown from Stanford after last week’s draining triple-overtime win over USC, but the Cardinal just have too much talent on both sides of the ball for the Beavers to compete with.

No. 5 Boise State at UNLV

Prediction: Boise State 66, UNLV 17

For all of you east-coasters out there, trust me, there’s no reason to stay up late for this 10:30 kickoff.

UNLV’s defense is ranked 110th in the country in total defense and 118th in scoring defense, giving up an average of 40 points and 455 yards per game.

Boise State will roll!

Texas A&M at No. 6 Oklahoma

Prediction: Oklahoma 42, Texas A&M 34

Texas A&M failed to close out a game it had been leading in the second half for the third time this season, and you have to wonder if the Aggies will either fold or persevere after such a disastrous loss to Missouri last weekend.

Oklahoma has both home-field advantage and an overall talent advantage, so it’s hard to go against the Sooners in this one, especially since they'll be looking to avenge last year's loss.

No. 9 South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 7 Arkansas Razorbacks

Prediction: Arkansas 34, South Carolina 27

After two consecutive road scares, Arkansas will be happy to be playing at Razorback Stadium this weekend.

This “other” game between two Top 10 SEC teams won’t have as much juice as the big LSU-Alabama battle, but it might be worth sticking on the DVR for later viewing.

The Razorbacks should hold the advantage in this one, but don’t count out South Carolina just because the Gamecocks lost star running back Marcus Lattimore.
 

No. 8 Oregon at Washington

Prediction: Washington 38, Oregon 36

Can you say look-ahead game?

Oregon better not get caught thinking about the Stanford game on Nov. 12, because Washington is fully capable of slowing the Ducks down and going toe-to-toe with them offensively, with the dangerous trio of QB Keith Price, RB Chris Polk and WR Jermaine Kearse.

Chip Kelly better have his boys focused for the trip to Seattle.

Northwestern at No. 10 Nebraska

Prediction: Nebraska 35, Northwestern 24

The Nebraska defense is finally starting to round into form, and the Cornhuskers have one of the strongest running games in the country, but their lack of a passing attack is concerning.

The Wildcats haven’t had the season they were expecting this year, but when QB Dan Persa is behind center, this team always has to be considered dangerous.

No. 13 Houston at UAB

Prediction: Houston 55, UAB  23

Another week, another terrible defense for Houston to beat up on.

Call me when the Cougars play a team that isn’t ranked below 100 in pass defense.

No. 15 Michigan at Iowa

Prediction: Iowa 29, Michigan 23

This is an extremely dangerous game for Michigan.

Iowa is a very talented team, and the Hawkeyes are surely going to be grumpy after inexcusably getting picked off by Minnesota last weekend.

Remember, 12:00 pm start times on the road are always tricky.

Minnesota at No. 17 Michigan State

Prediction: Michigan State 37, Minnesota 20

Minnesota finally got a statement victory last week against Iowa, but it’s hard to see the Gophers coming up with two consecutive monster efforts.

The Spartans can’t be happy with the way they played against Nebraska, and they’ll be looking to take out their anger on Saturday.

New Mexico State at No. 18 Georgia

Prediction: Georgia 50, New Mexico State 10

Georgia was wise to schedule a cupcake opponent in between two tough SEC games against Florida and Auburn.

This one won’t be close.

No. 19 Arizona State at UCLA

Prediction: UCLA 40, Arizona State 30

Arizona State is riding high and in the driver’s seat to win the Pac-12 South division, but the Sun Devils can’t afford a sleep-walk performance against a UCLA team that can be dangerous in a one-game situation.

The Bruins are still very much alive in the Pac-12 South, and if they can upset Arizona State, they’ll actually control their own destiny in the division.

Purdue at No. 20 Wisconsin

Prediction: Wisconsin 38, Purdue 14

After back-to-back heartbreaking defeats to Michigan State and Ohio State, Wisconsin’s season is starting to slip away in a hurry, and the Badgers will be in desperate need of a rebound win on Saturday against Purdue.

Purdue is a pesky team, but there’s no reason that Wisconsin shouldn’t be able to get back on track at home, just as long as the Badgers don't lose hope.

Texas Tech at No. 21 Texas

Prediction: Texas 34, Texas Tech 30

Well, Texas Tech sure knows how to blow a big win, huh?

After shocking Oklahoma in Week 8, the Red Raiders fell flat on their faces against a mediocre Iowa State team this past weekend, losing 41-7 on their home turf.

Tech has the passing offense to give Texas some headaches, but a much better effort will be needed if the Red Raiders want to pull off another upset.

Louisville at No. 24 West Virginia

Prediction: West Virginia 30, Louisville 21

Louisville has one of the most underrated defenses in the country, and the Cardinals should be able to do a good job of slowing down West Virginia’s potent passing attack, but it’s hard to put a lot of faith in freshman quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in a hostile road environment.

Louisville has what it takes to keep it fairly close, but the Mountaineers should be able to pull away in the end.

No. 25 Southern Miss at East Carolina

Prediction: Southern Miss 33, East Carolina 28

Southern Miss will be celebrating its first ever BCS ranking, but the Golden Eagles better not get caught celebrating too hard because they have to go on the road to take on an East Carolina team that’s won three straight games and is starting to come around after a tough start to the season.

This is definitely a tricky spot for Southern Miss, and the Golden Eagles had better be careful.