BCS Rankings: Houston and Teams That Can Rise into Top 10 by December

The newest edition of the BCS rankings was just released, and although these teams are currently on the outside looking in, they can climb into the top 10 by season's end.

With strong finishes to the regular season, all three of these teams will be contending for a spot in the BCS.

No 11 Houston Cougars

I thought the undefeated Cougars should be included in the top ten of the Week 12 rankings, but apparently the computers are more impressed with 8-1 Boise State.

Houston hasn't been getting a lot of national love because they play a cupcake schedule in the Conference USA. And that's certainly understandable.

But eventually, the sheer volume of the numbers they put should earn them some respect.

They average a ridiculous 54.7 points per game. They've scored at least 56 points six different times, including two 73 point explosions.

Quarterback Case Keenum leads the nation with 3,951 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.

Houston has two games left: against Southern Methodist and Tulsa. It will finish the season undefeated, and at 10-0, will definitely have earned a spot in the top ten.

No. 12 South Carolina Gamecocks

I was skeptical about South Carolina's chance after Marcus Lattimore tore his ACL, but the Gamecocks have been surviving.

They should pick up an easy win this week against the Citadel Bulldogs, giving them a little momentum for their regular season finale against No. 9 Clemson.

If they can upset the Auburn Tigers, South Carolina will catapult themselves into BCS contention.

No. 14 Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia spanked No. 20 Auburn 45-7 on Saturday to improve to 8-2. Quarterback Aaron Murray was phenomenal, throwing for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Bulldogs should have little trouble next week with Kentucky, then take on the sneaky Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to end the season.

If they prevail in both games, Georgia will be in the top 10 when bowl season rolls around.

Here are the complete Week 12 BCS rankings.

Rank	Team	BCS Average
1	LSU	.9933
2	Oklahoma State	.9642
3	Alabama	.9099
4	Oregon	.8755
5	Oklahoma	.8400
6	Arkansas	.7974
7	Clemson	.6935
8	Virginia Tech	.6755
9	Stanford	.6747
10	Boise State	.5959
11	Houston	.567
12	South Carolina	.528
13	Kansas State	.497
14	Georgia	.453
15	Michigan State	.439
16	Nebraska	.382
17	Wisconsin	.333
18	Michigan	.295
19	TCU	.252
20	Southern Mississippi	.245
21	Penn State	.230
22	Baylor	.136
23	Texas	.120
24	Auburn	.079
25	Florida State	.071