BCS Rankings 2011: Penn State and Teams That Kept BCS Dreams Alive in Week 12

With just a couple weeks left in the regular season, several teams are fighting for their BCS lives every weekend. Some of them, like Nebraska, watched their dreams get crushed by an untimely loss, while others continue to battle for another week.

Here are three teams that kept their dreams alive on Saturday, but will face stiff tests in Week 13.

No. 11 Houston Cougars

Heisman trophy dark-horse Case Keenum set an FBS record for completions during Houston's destruction of SMU. Keenum finished with 337 total yards and two touchdowns as the Cougars continue to seek an at-large opening.

Perhaps more impressive was Houston's defense, which held the opponent below 10 points for just the third time all season. It will need to be good again next week when the Cougars travel to play Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane could finally join the BCS Top 25 after their win over UTEP.

Next week: at Tulsa (8-3, 7-0)

No. 14 Georgia Bulldogs

It wasn't as easy as they hoped but the Bulldogs pulled away from Kentucky with a fourth quarter touchdown to clinch the SEC East and a spot in the conference championship game. Waiting for them will likely be the No. 1 LSU Tigers (it could still be Arkansas, which might cause the BCS to explode).

Georgia has won nine straight games after dropping its first two. Next week's game against Georgia Tech will be a good test for the defense, which will need to be in elite form if the Bulldogs plan on winning the SEC and securing a BCS berth.

Next week: at Georgia Tech (8-3, 5-3)

No. 21 Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State's win over Ohio State was just as much about getting some confidence back as it was about the BCS or Big Ten. It's been a tough couple of weeks in Happy Valley, so bouncing back from last week's loss to Wisconsin was vital.

It will take an even bigger effort against the high-flying Badgers next week, though. If the Nittany Lions have any hope of advancing to the Big Ten title game, they'll need to control possession and keep Russell Wilson and Montee Ball on the sidelines.

Next week: at Wisconsin (9-2, 5-2)