BCS Bowl Projections: Arkansas and Teams That Will Be Snubbed from BCS Picture

No matter what, there always seems to be some sort of controversy when it comes to the BCS system. That is because the BCS is an inexact science that simply can't please everyone. Because of that there are going to be teams left out of the BCS picture that many believe are deserving.

While the rankings themselves have something to do with it, the way in which teams qualify is a culprit as well. The fact that winning a BCS conference results in an automatic qualification seems logical, but not when you consider how weak the Big East is.

Because the Big East is a BCS conference, though, an average team like West Virginia is going to earn a BCS berth over a much more deserving team. Until a playoff system is devised there is honestly no way to avoid this, though. Here are three teams that will be snubbed from BCS bowl games this season.

Kansas State Wildcats

Prior to the season, next to nothing was expected of the Kansas State Wildcats. They shocked many observers by busting out of the gates, though, and with a win over Iowa State this week, the Wildcats would finish the regular season with 10 wins and a second-place finish in the Big 12. While I think that should earn them a BCS spot, it seems highly unlikely.

The Wildcats are currently ranked No. 11 in the country, so they would have to leapfrog quite a few teams in order to get an at-large bid. Kansas State beat a lot of high-quality Big 12 teams this season, and lost to Oklahoma State by a mere touchdown. With a decent defense and a gamer at quarterback in Collin Klein, the Wildcats have the tools to win a BCS bowl, but they won't get the opportunity.

Boise State Broncos

As things currently stand, the No. 7 Boise State Broncos are likely on the outside looking in when it comes to the BCS picture. If not for a wayward last-second field goal against TCU a couple weeks ago, the Broncos could very well be in position to play LSU for the National Championship. Instead, Boise State looks as if it will have to settle on playing in an ordinary bowl.

The position Boise State is in is quite ironic. The team blocking the Broncos from a BCS game is the undefeated Houston Cougars. While the Broncos are probably a vastly superior team, the Cougars are probably going to get the spot. Other teams complained for years that Boise State played an easy schedule, but that same thing is what has Houston ahead of Boise State. The Broncos would likely have more success in a BCS bowl, but Houston's record is going to be rewarded.

Arkansas Razorbacks

After getting throttled by the No. 2 LSU Tigers last week, it would be very easy to dismiss the No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks. The fact of the matter is, though, that Arkansas was the No. 3 team in the nation entering the game in what many consider to be the toughest conference in America, the SEC. The Razorbacks have two losses on the season, but they were to the top two teams in the nation in LSU and No. 2 Alabama.

If anything, Arkansas is a victim of circumstance. In any other conference or division in the country, Arkansas would very likely be the top team or at least close to it. In the SEC West, however, they are only third best. If we were to take a snapshot of the entire pool of teams and forget conference affiliations, Arkansas would likely be good enough to be in a BCS bowl. With inferior teams like West Virginia and Houston stealing spots, though, the Razorbacks will be left out in the cold.