BCS Rankings: Predicting the BCS Standings

The dust has settled in the "Game of the Century" and the LSU Tigers came out victorious by a field goal in overtime.

The Crimson Tide stubbed their toes missing four kicks (one blocked/three missed) and there is no doubt that Alabama had their chances to win during regulation. Trent Richardson attempted to strike a few Heisman poses, but the offense in general never came away with a game-breaking play.

Richardson rattled off a few solid runs, but the Eric Reid interception will forever remain a questionable call that Crimson fans are not happy with. Some non-bias are still unsure of what the correct should have been.

Tight end Michael Williams looked to have caught the ball at the goal-line and yet stud safety Eric Reid seemed to have taken it away before their knees hit. In the case where both have the ball, it goes to the offense. However, after review, they ruled the play stood as called which was Reid had possession of the ball. 

Regardless, of that call Alabama has nobody but to blame themselves. One could argue it was never meant to be since they attempted several kicks despite having missed a few before. Les Miles gets the last laugh tonight, but we shall see if the Bayou Bengals can keep their momentum against a scorching hot Arkansas team in a few weeks.

If they run the table, LSU's opponent in the BCS National Championship would be an undefeated Oklahoma State team most say. They survived a valiant effort from Collin Klein and the Wildcats as the Cowboys defense survived quite the scare. 

Every weekend is getting better and better, but here are the current projected BCS Standings for Sunday night.

1. LSU 9-0

The Bayou Bengals defense is beyond stacked, but their philosophy is simple: run the ball on offense and stop it on defense. The special teams is flawless and Les Miles is starting to become a legend as far as winning close games. 

2. Oklahoma State 9-0

Their defense gives up a boatload of yards every single game and yet they find ways to win. If they run the table and win at Bedlam they will be a mortal lock to play in the BCS National Championship. However, the biggest question is whether or not the defense is lucky or just good? We shall soon find out.

3. Stanford 9-0 

Andrew Luck may have lost his top receiver in Chris Owusu (concussion), but the running game rose to the occasion with 300 yards on the ground. We will officially see what the defense can do against the Ducks next weekend in Palo Alto.

4. Boise State 8-0

The Broncos struggled early against UNLV, but they got the job done at the end of the day. Kellen Moore has the most wins in FBS history (46) and his Broncos have a chance to move up in the polls if they can knock off a likely ranked TCU squad. Plus, if Stanford loses don't be shocked if we see Boise State at No. 3 depending on how great they look against the Horned Frogs. 

5. Alabama 8-1

Trent Richardson tried to carry this team on its back, but it is unfortunate that he cannot kick for the Crimson Tide. Three miseed field goals and one blocked kick will likely cost them a BCS National Championship appearance. However, all is not lost with Arkanss catching fire. They knocked off the top ranked Tigers back in 2007 in triple OT, 50-48. Could it be deja vu?

6. Oklahoma 8-1

The loss of Ryan Broyles could cost them in Bedlam, but we will have to wait to find out. The Cowboys defense has had their issues and the Sooners are starting to flex their muscles with the pressure they are putting on the opposition. Question remains, if they beat the Cowboys, will they be ahead or behind a one-loss Stanford  (IF they lose to Oregon) team?

7. Arkansas 8-1

Tyler Wilson has become a Heisman contender with his recent play and all of a sudden the offense is finding a running game to build off each and every week. This team is really skyrocketing in improvement and the nation be wary of a possible upset in Baton Rouge in the regular season finale.

8. Oregon 8-1

They knocked off a decent Washington squad and they won it with their defense for once. If they can get pressure on Andrew Luck, the Ducks could soon become national championship darkhorses.

9. Clemson 8-1

Had it not been for their loss against Georgia Tech, these Tigers would be in the top five perhaps. However, they need to be able to come out of South Carolina alive with the Coastal winner awaiting the following weekend. 

10. Virginia Tech 8-1

Coming off a bye week, the Hokies better be able to come out victorious against Georgia Tech or else it will be the Yellow Jackets who represent the Coastal Division. These Hokies have an outside chance of getting an at-large bid, but they would much rather just win the ACC Championship by knocking off Clemson.

11. Houston 9-0

Case Keenum and this offense are unstoppable right in C-USA, but SMU and Tulane could test them in two/three weeks. Plus, they have their conference championship against a likely ranked Southern Miss squad.

12. Penn State 8-1

Despite the hectic week not relating to the current football team, the Nittany Lions control their own destiny. They better be ready for Nebraska next weekend to have any shot against the Badgers in three weeks.

13. South Carolina 7-2

The fourth quarter got ugly, but what did we expect without Marcus Lattimore? The defense can only do so much and I would not bank on them winning a potential Chick-Fil-A Bowl either.

14. Georgia 7-2

UGA rolled New Mexico State 62-16, but they look like a complete defensive squad. They allowed some yards with their second and third stringers, but Aaron Murray was clicking on all cylinders with five touchdowns. Auburn is next before a likely SEC Championship against LSU.

15. Kansas State 7-2

Collin Klein is the real deal, but they were clueless on how to cover Justin Blackmon. Still, they had their chances to win it in the closing moments, but they could not get it done. Still, props to them for hanging in there.

16. Nebraska 7-2

The defense let them down, but they left a ton of points on the board especially with two fumbles (one inside the five). Next up is Penn State and another could officially knock them out of the Big Ten Championship.  

17. Michigan State 7-2

The Spartans found a way to knock off Minnesota, but they were not impressive in the process. Time will tell if they can hang on to the to lead in their division with Iowa coming up at Kinnick. 

18. Wisconsin 7-2

Minnesota and Illinois will not be able to stop the Badgers rushing attack, who ran for 364 against the Boilermakers. If Penn State loses just one game, the Big Ten Championship/division would be decided in the season finale at Camp Randall.

19. Texas 6-2

Even without Malcolm Brown, the Longhorns ran for 439 yards on the ground. Texas is looking great as the third or fourth best team in the Big 12. That may not seem all that great, but the Longhorns are improving and a Cotton Bowl could be a possibility.

20. Auburn 6-3

Georgia will be a tough game next weekend, but if they win they could be sitting pretty in the rankings. The defense must tackle better in open space and if they are unable to limit big plays from Georgia's running game it could get ugly.

21. Georgia Tech 7-2

Perfect week to be idle as they host the scorching Hokies next Thursday, but their home victory over Clemson will only help them if they find a way to win the Coastal.

22. Michigan 7-2

They could not get a stop when they needed to and the offense was not nearly explosive enough. Nebraska and Ohio State could eliminate any of their Big Ten Championship aspirations.

23. Southern Miss 8-1

Despite allowing 420 yards, the defense and special teams came away with three non-offensive touchdowns in their 48-28 win over East Carolina.

24. Cincinnati 7-1

The Bearcats remain the lone unbeaten in the Big East as they survived a three-point scare from Pittsburgh. The Big East needs more ranked teams, but nobody seems to want this conference outside of Butch and the boys.

25. TCU 7-2

The Horned Frogs go to the blue carpet in a battle for the Mountain West. TCU's defense has made some improvements but Casey Pachall better be on his "A" game if they expect to come out alive against the Broncos.