BCS Rankings: Stanford and Teams Getting Dragged Down by Computers

Machines have always had a funny effect on college football, especially when it comes to teams on the verge of doing big things in the BCS. The computers once again demonstrated a predictable affinity for the SEC and the Big 12 in the latest rankings, while giving these three teams the proverbial shaft.

Stanford

The pollsters still love Stanford, despite a 53-30 loss to Oregon in Week 11, but it appears as though the computers have yet to forgive the Cardinal. Andrew Luck and company are ranked sixth overall by the BCS, but just ninth among the machines, leaving them fifth among one-loss teams instead of third or fourth.

A win over No. 22 Notre Dame would certainly serve to strengthen the Cardinal's case with the computers, as would a loss by Oregon, as such would propel Stanford into the Pac-12 Championship Game.

Still, the brainiacs in Palo Alto will need help from the teams ahead of them in the standings if they're to sneak their way into the BCS National Championship Game.

Wisconsin

The Badgers aren't about to contend for the National Title, nor does their BCS ranking matter so long as they take care of business, but it's tough to ignore just how big of a beating they're taking in the calculations right now.

Sure, Wisconsin's resume isn't great, but shouldn't nine wins, including a drubbing of No. 21 Nebraska, be enough to garner consideration in all of the computers? Believe it or not, there are still two that have left out the Fightin' Russell Wilsons entirely!

So if you're wondering why 'Sconsin is at No. 16 in the BCS, instead of a few spots higher, look no further than the team's computer average, which has it at No. 24.

Houston

Much the same could be said about Houston, another team whose fate isn't too adversely affected by virtual perception and won't be unless it loses either of its next two games. A defeat to Tulsa on Saturday would not only stain the Cougars' perfect record, but also keep them out of the Conference USA Championship Game and, in turn, the BCS.

As someone whose preferred team (UCLA) lost to Houston this season, I'd be the first to admit that the Cougs have played a weak schedule.

But a perfect record should count for something, shouldn't it? Heck, if this whole mess were up to the computers, Case Keenum would be stuck behind four two-loss teams—Oklahoma, Oregon, Kansas State and South Carolina.

Apparently, winning isn't everything or even the only thing.