BCS Rankings: Houston Cougars and More Fringe Teams Facing Must-Win Situations

Even though the BCS National Championship Game between LSU and Alabama is a virtual lock, there is still a lot of jockeying for the remaining BCS bids. Here are three teams on the fringe that must win in Week 14 to keep their dreams alive.

No. 5 Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech meets Clemson for the second time this season and will be looking to exact some revenge. The Tigers handed David Wilson and Co. their only loss of the season, which probably cost them a chance to play LSU.

Since that game, the Hokies have racked up seven straight wins. They combine a balanced offense, which has scored at least 30 points in five of their last seven games, with a defense that ranks seventh in points allowed per game.

Prediction: Hokies by 10

No. 6 Houston Cougars

Houston has been this season's Cinderella team, easily dispatching Conference USA foes en route to a 12-0 regular season. As with any non-power-conference team, though, one loss will doom the Cougars and drop them from BCS contention.

Their opponent in the conference title game, Southern Mississippi, is no pushover. The Golden Eagles are ranked 22nd in this week's standings. Case Keenum will need to show off his Heisman-worthy skills for the Cougars to earn an at-large bid.

Prediction: Cougars by 17

No. 9 Oregon Ducks

Oregon's offense is among the nation's elite, but inconsistent performances from the defense have left the Ducks wondering what could have been. That said, they are heavy favorites against UCLA in the Pac-12 Championship Game, which would lock them into a BCS bowl.

There isn't a more formidable running back duo is America than LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner, who have combined to score 28 touchdowns. But the unsung hero of Oregon has been De'Anthony Thomas. The freshman has nearly 1,000 total yards and 14 TDs.

Prediction: Ducks by 23