BCS Rankings 2011: Contenders and Pretenders of the Week 12 BCS Top 25

Week 12 of the college football season was probably the best week of the college football season yet. There may not have been a lot of marquee matchups, but that created the possibility for a ton of upsets, which is exactly what happened. Three teams that were in the Top 5 last week went down due to losses from lesser opponents. The BCS Rankings and the bowl picture are as shaken up as ever.

This is what makes college football so much fun, and arguably the best sport in the world.

Of course, after a week like that, there was a lot we learned from every team. Teams we thought were contenders are not, and teams that many were sleeping on could be contenders.

Here are a few contenders and pretenders we learned about from watching Week 12.

Arkansas Razorbacks: Contender

Ever since the loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Razorbacks have been slowly climbing up the rankings. Well, now they are the No. 3 team in the country and have an outside shot at an SEC title and National Championship.

While they will need some help from Auburn to make that happen, the fact is, they could be the only team to beat LSU this year, and they only have one loss.

Arkansas' defense scares me, as they have been shaky all season, but when your offense can drop 40 points a game, who needs defense, right?

Texas Longhorns: Pretender

I think we all knew Texas were pretenders this season, but I guess the message still hasn't reached the voters. Even with four losses this season and no victories over a quality opponent, the Longhorns are still in the BCS Top 25.

I don't get it.

This team struggles to score points and has to rely on their defense to bail them out.

I guess the history of the program is what's keeping them in the rankings, but with matchups against Texas A&M and Baylor left, it's hard to see this team sticking around much longer.

Georgia Bulldogs: Contender

There are a lot of people who wrote Georgia off once they lost the first two games of the season. But the Bulldogs have been on fire since then, and are slowly climbing up the rankings.

They are ranked in the top three in the SEC in total offense, total defense and interceptions. They are also ranked No. 1 in the SEC with 30 sacks, which is also good for No. 18 in the country.

You could say they haven't really played anybody, but this team does get after it, and will be a problem for whatever team they play in the SEC Championship Game.

Oregon Ducks: Pretender

I enjoy watching the Ducks play as much as any other college football fan in the country. But the fact is they struggle against any team that plays just a little bit of defense. And what in the world was going on with the Ducks' defense against USC? So much for bend, but don't break.

Oregon is great within their conference, but once they run into a team that shows they won't back down, the Ducks crumble.

The Ducks are a fun team to watch, but are not National Championship contenders.

Clemson Tigers: Pretender

Clemson lost their second game in three weeks, and this time it came at the hands of North Carolina State. The Wolfpack didn't just beat them; they scored 37 points on the Tigers defense and helped Clemson to their lowest point total of the year, at 13. Even Liberty scored more points on the Wolfpack.

Clemson is an extremely talented team, but they are very young and sometimes don't execute as well as they should. The good news is they have the Atlantic division wrapped up, and will be in the ACC Championship Game, but this team has to build some momentum heading into it.

Michigan State Spartans: Contender

It seems like everybody is just assuming that Wisconsin will win the Big Ten, but don't give the team that beat them a shot. Michigan State is a solid team, and has a fantastic defense. Alabama and LSU have the top two defenses, but Michigan State is right behind them, giving up just 257 total yards a game. That's just 10 more than LSU gives up on average.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins is also picking it up lately, throwing for eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last three games.

Many people may not be giving the Spartans much chance in the Big Ten title game, but they are a contender.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]