BCS Rankings: Houston and Teams Finally Getting Due Respect

Sometimes when you play in a weak conference or suffer some glaring losses, it's very difficult to regain the respect of the college football nation.

The Houston Cougars found out the hard way this year that an undefeated season doesn't mean much to the BCS gods if you play poor competition along the way.

Regardless, going 12-0 should mean something, and the Cougars finally got some respect after Week 13.

Here are three teams finally getting some kudos.

3. TCU (No. 18)

The TCU Horned Frogs lost a lot of respect when they fell to Baylor in the first game of the season.

They lost even more respect when they lost in overtime to unranked SMU.

But since then the Horned Frogs have rebounded, winning their last six games, including a 36-35 shocker over then-No. 5 Boise State.

There was so much concern over TCU's offense after quarterback Andy Dalton left for the NFL, but the reality is it's been the defense that has let TCU down this season. Dalton's replacement, Casey Pachall, has thrown for 24 touchdowns to six interceptions while the Horned Frogs have averaged 40.4 points per game, 10th in the nation.

2. South Carolina (No. 12)

South Carolina hasn't exactly been disrespected in the BCS rankings this season, but after they lost starting quarterback Stephen Gilmore and star running back Marcus Lattimore, it was hard to envision them continuing to succeed.

Well, succeed they have, going 10-2 on the season and coming off a 34-13 drubbing of then-No. 17 Clemson.

Head coach Steve Spurrier deserves a wealth of credit for keeping this team on the right track.

1. Houston (No. 6)

I found it amusing that Houston had won 11 straight games this season but was behind 9-1 Boise State.

It was actually the Cougars who were reliving Boise State's disadvantage of being a top team in a bad conference.

But after a victory in Week 13, the Cougars found themselves 12-0 and overtaking Boise State in the BCS rankings.

That's what happens when you average 52.7 points per game, the most in the nation.

Quarterback Case Keenum has simply been sensational, throwing for over 4,700 yards and 43 touchdowns to just three interceptions (no, that's not a misprint).

To end the Cougars' regular season in Week 13, Keenum threw for 457 yards and five touchdowns in Houston's 48-16 walloping of Tulsa.

Houston seems destined for the Sugar Bowl, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Cougars beat potential opponent Michigan once they got there.