College Football: 10 Potential BCS Spoilers

After close Week 10 wins by LSU and Oklahoma State, and a more decisive win by Stanford, the BCS picture is clearer.  But that clarity could disappear if highly-ranked teams get upset in the four remaining weeks of college football. 

Here are 10 teams that could spoil contenders' BCS bowl game or national championship aspirations.

10. Southern Methodist

Undefeated Houston still has a shot at going to a BCS bowl game.  However, to keep the dream alive, they have to beat two schools with Southern in their name (the second one in the Conference USA championship). 

Though Southern Miss is ranked higher than Southern Methodist, I think the Mustangs have a better shot of knocking off their division rival.  After all, they did beat TCU earlier in the season.

9. Oregon State

The University of Oregon is likely headed to a BCS bowl regardless of the outcome of the Stanford game...unless they pick up a third loss.

By contrast, Oregon State is 2-7 but has had a history of upsetting apple carts, particularly USC's.  The Beavers also cost Oregon the Pac-10 title in 2000.  

Just because Oregon State hasn't been particularly good doesn't mean you should count out the Civil War showdown over Thanksgiving weekend as a good game.

8. Texas Tech

Could lightning strike twice for Texas Tech?  They beat Oklahoma earlier in the season and play Oklahoma State this Saturday in Lubbock.  Besides Oklahoma, Texas Tech seems to be OSU's biggest roadblock on the road to New Orleans.

7. Auburn

Alabama seems headed to a BCS bowl if they can win their remaining games.  And continuing in the theme of rivalry games, we add the Iron Bowl on November 26.  

To finish with only a single loss, Alabama must win a road game against the defending national champions.  Upset?  Could be.  

6. Ohio State

People thought Ohio State was done for after the Tressel-Pryor mess at the end of last season.  But with a 6-3 record, the defending Sugar Bowl champs will be headed to another bowl game.

Ohio State could also be the raspberry seed in Penn State's wisdom tooth.  To advance to the Big Ten title game, Penn State must pick up wins against Nebraska, Wisconsin and Ohio State, any of whom could pull the chair out from under them.

Ohio State could also have a statement win of sorts if they beat arch-rival Michigan, who was a Big Ten title contender until losing to Iowa.

5. West Virginia

Losses to Syracuse and Louisville have taken West Virginia out of the Big East championship picture, but the Mountaineers could still make Cincinnati's season a little more difficult this Saturday at Nippert Stadium.

4. California

I seem to recall at one time, Stanford had a really good quarterback named John Elway.  I seem to recall that he lost his last game, an upset loss to Cal in the Trombone Game.

Could that happen again?  Yes, it could!  Cal is 5-4, Stanford has looked vulnerable and as I've said, anything can happen in a rivalry game.  Moen can take out a trombonist after several laterals.

Additionally, I don't consider Oregon to be a spoiler for Stanford, as Oregon beating the Cardinal wouldn't really be much of an upset—it is downright expected in many circles—and would still lead to Stanford ending up in the Fiesta Bowl. 

3. TCU

For Boise State to go to a BCS bowl, they have to run the table.  To do that, the Broncos have to beat opponents with winning records in three consecutive weeks.  

The only one I see as having a shot at playing spoiler is 7-2 TCU, the defending Rose Bowl champion who is undefeated in Mountain West play and travels to the Smurf Turf this Saturday.

2. Arkansas

We could end up with mayhem in the SEC West if Arkansas beats LSU in Baton Rouge over Thanksgiving weekend.  And that happening is fully within the realm of possibility.

Arkansas has won five straight games, three straight against ranked opponents and beat South Carolina by multiple scores last Saturday. 

The battle for the Golden Boot could lead to LSU getting booted from the national championship.

1. Oklahoma

Oklahoma plays Oklahoma State in Stillwater for its final game of the season.  Both teams have been solid, with the exception of Oklahoma's upset loss to Texas Tech. 

A loss by Oklahoma State would not only bounce them from the BCS national championship, it would cost them the Big XII championship and relegate them to the Sugar Bowl.