BCS Rankings: 5 Week 14 AP Poll Teams for Whom the BCS Has No Love

With the Associated Press Poll now not having any affect on the BCS standings, it's fun to take a look at the old-fashioned way of doing things compared to the new way. The two polls are more different than one might think.

The AP poll has been around since 1936 while the BCS just picked up steam in the late 1990s. The AP had been helping determine national champions, bowl games, and the like for decades. Now, the BCS with its Coaches Poll, Harris Poll, and computerized system is in charge.

The AP Poll is special in many ways, however, using only the press to vote on their rankings. Here's a look at what teams this week received a lot of love in the AP Poll compared with last week's BCS rankings. 

No. 25 Florida State

The Seminoles have been up and down all season. First, they're national title contenders. Next, they're complete flops. Then, they're surging back. Finally, they fall again. Just this past weekend, Florida State defeated their in-state rival Florida in an exciting matchup.

The Seminoles move back into the AP Poll, hoping to claim a bottom spot in the BCS once those rankings come out later today. Their up-and-down season finished on a high note and hopefully that will earn them some love in the bowl outlook. 

However, the likelihood the BCS allows FSU back in is low and seeing that the Seminoles are finishing so much lower than expected, don't expect that many will be sympathetic. 

No. 24 Southern Miss

Southern Miss is one of those surprise teams no one sees coming. The Golden Eagles have had a phenomenal season, winning most of their regular season games. Southern Miss is scheduled to play Houston in the Conference USA Championship. 

The BCS has included the Golden Eagles before, but dropped them out promptly after an upset loss to UAB late this season. Now, the AP Poll has them back in just before their big matchup with Houston.

A win against the Cougars would secure a fantastic bowl for the Golden Eagles. Defeating one of the two remaining undefeated teams would be huge and the assistance they would provide the BCS by knocking off an non-automatic qualifying team from their consideration would be invaluable. 

No. 18 TCU

The TCU Horned Frogs are only No. 20 in last week's BCS rankings. With a bye week this weekend, TCU will probably remain somewhat stagnant in the BCS.

However, is TCU receiving the correct amount of respect from voters and computers alike in the BCS?

They hold the sole win against Boise State, defeating the monster at home for the first time ever. Shouldn't they be slightly higher than No. 20?

The BCS isn't taking much into account for the Horned Frogs. Their loss to Baylor by two points should have more impact and the win against the Broncos is already being forgotten.  

No. 11 Michigan State

The Spartans crushed a simple Northwestern team this Saturday to secure their spot atop the Big Ten Legends Division. However, with a win against an unranked team and their current status in the BCS, MSU is not receiving the love it should get from the three pronged rankings system.

With only two losses on the season to a powerful Nebraska squad and a fluky Notre Dame team, the Spartans deserve some higher rankings than what they are getting. They are playing Wisconsin in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game.

Shouldn't a conference title contender get a little more love in the standings?

No. 8 Oregon

Oregon had it all. They suffered only one simple loss this season early on to No. 1 LSU. They defeated the "do-no-wrong" Cardinal with their magical Luck and his strong arm. They were on top of the world. 

Until USC went and ruined it all. The Trojans knocked off the Ducks from their high horse in an unexpected upset. Although Oregon maintained its position atop the Pac-12 North, its national title hopes were dashed.

However, even after losing to the powerful USC by only a few points, the BCS dropped the Ducks down to No. 10. Oregon is much better than No. 10 in the BCS, especially considering they will be playing for the inaugural Pac-12 Championship.