BCS Rankings: Teams That Will Join Top 25 with Week 12 Wins

Unless the BCS ranked every team during a given week, there will always be programs griping that they deserve more respect. Whether it's warranted or not, that whining hurts the BCS' reputation as much as the actual rankings do.

Here are three teams that will get their wish and join the top 25 next week.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

After losing its first two games of the season, Notre Dame has bounced back nicely to win seven of its next eight games. That includes a win over Michigan State. Who knows what could have been if Tommy Rees started the year under center instead of Dayne Crist.

The Fighting Irish's opponent this weekend is Boston College, which is enduring a down season. The Eagles have won two of their past three games, but none of their wins have come against an opponent as strong as Notre Dame.

Prediction: Notre Dame by 20

Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati sits atop the Big East, which gets an automatic bid into the BCS, with a 3-1 conference record; however, no Big East team is listed in the BCS rankings. That shows just how bad of a season the conference is having.

The Bearcats face a tough road test against Rutgers on Saturday. Not only would a win make sure they maintain control of their BCS destiny, but it should also push them into the rankings. Isaiah Pead should have a big game against Rutgers' porous run defense.

Prediction: Cincinnati by six

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Whereas the Big East is struggling, Conference USA is thriving. Tulsa is aiming to become the third team from that league to join the rankings, along with Houston and Southern Mississippi. The Golden Hurricane are gearing up for a clash against Houston in the season finale.

But first they must deal with UTEP. The Miners have struggled but are coming off a win against East Carolina. That said, Tulsa's dynamic running back duo of Ja'Terian Douglas and Trey Watts should be enough to pull out the victory.

Prediction: Tulsa by 13