BCS Projections After Week 11

Week 11 saw some of the favorites in contention for the BCS title game fall, and fall hard; while others won, and won big.

It also saw some who aren't in contention for the title game, but still have a chance for a BCS game, escape with solid but close victories.

There of course will be a shakeup in the rankings.

The top contenders will stay, but some of the other teams with a chance would love to see their names move up. Others will have to wait another season.

This is how I see the rankings coming out tomorrow.

No. 10: Stanford Cardinal

Stanford saw their chance at a BCS title run away from them, literally.

In the game of day, Stanford lost badly to Oregon—53-30 at home. The Ducks used their up-tempo offense and potent ground attack to run through Stanford (232 yards rushing total).

The computers were already not on Stanford's side, and I'm sure voters will drop them down quite a bit after this performance.

Stanford (9-1, 7-1 Pac-12) is now out of the national title hunt and need Oregon to lose to have a shot at the Pac-12 title. If they win out, they still have a good shot at an at-large BCS berth.

No. 9: Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars will make their 2011 debut into the Top 10 of the BCS standings.

Houston routed Tulane 73-17 on Thursday night, gaining only 735 total yards of offense.

Case Keenum again showed his brilliance. While his Cougars move up in the BCS rankings, he should move up in Heisman talks.

The Cougars (10-0, 6-0 C-USA) should run the table this year in Conference USA and be an at-large team for a BCS game, but never challenging the Top Five.

No. 8: Virginia Tech Hokies

After an ugly home loss earlier this season to Clemson, Virginia Tech is quietly going about their business in the ACC.

They have a one-game edge on Virginia in the ACC Coastal Division, and just need to beat them at the end of the season to ensure a spot in the ACC title game.

Virginia Tech (9-1, 5-1 ACC) got a tough win on Thursday night at Georgia Tech, in which David Wilson showed the brilliance that he's had all season.

Look for the Hokies to win out and have a rematch with Clemson in the ACC title game, with a spot in the BCS on the line.

No. 7: Clemson Tigers

Speaking of Clemson, they should jump to seventh in the rankings after a somewhat sloppy and scary win against Wake Forest at home.

The Tigers (9-1,6-1 ACC) wrapped up the ACC Atlantic Division with the win, and most likely await the Hokies from the Coastal Division for the ACC title.

The offense has been good all year, but needed a big drive at the end of the game to give them the opportunity to secure the win against a scrappy Wake team.

It would seem that the winner of the ACC title will be the only team form the ACC to earn a spot in the BCS, as neither is in contention for the title game and both are lower than other one-loss teams.

No. 6: Arkansas Razorbacks

Starting at the No. 6 spot is where things get interesting. 

Arkansas is a team that still has a real chance at winning the SEC, and perhaps playing for a national title. 

The Razorbacks (9-1, 5-1 SEC) beat Tennessee 49-7 yesterday, as the offense and defense both shined against the Vols.

With their destiny in their own hands, a trip to Baton Rouge to end the season is all that stands in Arkansas' way as they make a push up the BCS standings.

No. 5: Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners had a bye this week, and really needed it.

After the ugly home loss to Texas Tech, followed by a beat-down at Kansas State in which they lost their best tailback, then a nice win at home against Texas A&M though they lost their best wide receiver—sounds like a week off had to come.

The Sooners (8-1,5-1 Big 12) have their destiny in their own hands just like Arkansas. 

If things pan out, this team could still play for a national title, but a huge game looms as the Sooners will travel to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State to end the season in which the Big 12 will be decided. 

No. 4: Oregon Ducks

Oregon vaulted themselves right back into the thick of the BCS title hunt with a convincing win on the road at Stanford yesterday.

The Ducks (9-1, 7-0 Pac-12) used a lethal ground attack to punish Stanford all night. 

The victory should impress voters, and should bump them up a little with the computers helping with the rise in the BCS.

If things go Oregon's way (big IF), they may just find themselves in the national title game for a second straight season.

No. 3: Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama had a nice, bounce-back win against Mississippi State (24-7) after the tough loss to LSU last week.

The defense shined as the Bulldogs struggled all night to move the ball.

Alabama (9-1, 6-1 SEC) obviously has the voters and computers on their side, as shown last week when they only dropped one spot in the standings.

They need either an LSU loss or Oklahoma State loss, but this team will be right there with everyone else at the end of the season in regards to playing in the title game.

No. 2: Oklahoma State Cowboys

Most impressive team of the week? Definitely the Cowboys.

Oklahoma State (10-0, 7-0 Big 12) routed Texas Tech 66-6 yesterday, as the offense put on another absolute show.

We all know that if the Cowboys win out, they will be playing for the title in New Orleans in January.

However, there is a team out there that would like nothing more than to ruin that dream for the Cowboys.

I'm sure we all can't wait for the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game in a few weeks, right?

No. 1: LSU Tigers

No surprise here, as LSU will hold its spot atop the BCS for another week since both the voters and computers are behind the Tigers.

The Tigers (10-0, 6-0 SEC) got off to a sluggish start against Western Kentucky yesterday, but figured things out late to cruise to a 42-9 victory.

Everyone knows if LSU wins out, they will be playing for the national title in New Orleans.

However, they still have a long way to go with tough game(s) against Arkansas, and possibly Georgia, in the SEC title game remaining.