BCS Standings: 5 Teams Facing Serious Trap Games This Week

The bowl picture that has been shaping for months is just one week away from being finally set. Every team has found its place in the BCS, always hungrily searching for more.

For those few that are somewhat high in the rankings, most have a game this weekend. Whether it be a regular-season game or a conference championship, playing this late in the season against almost any squad can be dangerous.

These games are referred to as trap games. They lure in their unsuspecting BCS-hopeful team and spit out a broken, less-powerful squad of men. We take a look at which five teams out there are trapped and can't escape. 

No. 18 Baylor

Baylor takes on Texas this weekend at home in its regular-season finale. The Longhorns are no big-time squad this season, but their defense is one of the best and Baylor needs to watch out. 

Robert Griffin III is one of the best players in this sport, but even some defenses are good enough to slow him down. Texas possesses one of those types of defensive fronts, and while the Horns may be short-handed on offense, a thriving defense makes up for it. 

Baylor is ranked down at 18, but a win over Texas could improve their ranking before bowl season comes around. As long as the Bears don't overlook the Longhorns, they will avoid this year's trap game.  

No. 10 Oregon

Oregon easily won the Pac-12 North this season, knocking off the undefeated Stanford Cardinal a few weeks ago in a stunning upset victory.

However, the Ducks still went on to lose to USC the week following that huge win and now must close out the Pac-12 Championship against UCLA for a spot at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins are no huge threat on the gridiron, but disregarding them could be a gigantic mistake for the Ducks. 

No. 8 Houston

Houston is a strong contender for a BCS bowl and as they close out their regular season, their only obstacle that remains is the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. 

Heisman candidate Case Keenum has led this university on a magical season, winning every single game and closing out almost every opponent by a huge margin. Southern Miss is no ordinary C-USA team though, having acquired a rank at some point and never having to take on the Cougars during the regular season.

Houston needs to watch out for these explosive Golden Eagles in a game that determines their overall fate in the BCS. 

No. 5 Virginia Tech

The Hokies have performed admirably once again this season, winning every game save one and owning their division in the ACC. They take on Clemson in a tough rematch—winner heads to the Orange Bowl.

Even though the Tigers pulled off the win the first time around, Virginia Tech is the favorite coming into this weekend. Their strong offense led by QB Logan Thomas has the potential to continue plowing through ACC competition. 

Clemson is no squad to overlook, however, as the Tigers had the opportunity to go undefeated and failed earlier this season. Now, all that resides on this game is a guaranteed trip to Miami and both will be playing their hearts out to get there. 

No. 4 Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State was doing perfectly until the Iowa State game. They were owning the Big 12, crushing opponents with their big-time offense and holding them down with their strong-arm defense. 

Then, along came the Cyclones who stole not only their undefeated record, but their national title hopes away. Now, OSU is in the position where they can still win the Big 12 and head to a BCS bowl, both for the first time, but will they finally be able to take down their in-state rival Oklahoma to do so?

The Sooners may only be a few ranks behind the Cowboys, but the Bedlam Brawl is a trap game nonetheless. Watch out for an OSU team to either fall apart or rise to the occasion at home against OU.