Ohio State Loss Propels LSU into First in the BCS

With an Ohio State loss that pushed them down to seventh in the Associated Press and USA Today polls, it has also moved them to seventh in the BCS. This brings Missouri into the top five and in striking distance of a shot at the National Championship, with only one undefeated team left in the top five. A Buckeyes loss also moves the bull's-eye to the backs of LSU, as they are now the top ranked team in the country.

1: LSU, 9-1, BCS Score of .980
LSU beat Louisiana Tech, as expected, and due to the Ohio State loss, they now assume the role as the top-ranked team in the BCS. The offensive duo of Matt Flynn and Jacob Hester continues to run over defenses week after week. LSU now just needs to focus on these last few games, which they should win, in order to make it to the BCS National Championship. With games against Ole Miss and Arkansas, look for LSU to finish up this season with an 11-1 record and a berth to the BCS National Championship in New Orleans.
This past week: The Tigers beat Louisiana Tech, 58-10.
Next week: LSU travels to Ole Miss on Saturday.

2: Oregon, 8-1, BCS Score of .938
Dennis Dixon and the Ducks had a week off this past week as they prepare for a Thursday night game at Arizona. The Ducks now move into a spot in the National Championship, at least for this week, as an undefeated Kansas team looks to go undefeated and take away Oregon's shot at a national title. With almost 2100 passing yards in 9 games and 20 passing touchdowns, Dixon is not only helping to lead the Ducks run at a chance for a spot in the National Championship, but he is also making a name for himself in the Heisman race week by week. Oregon's toughest challenge in their final three games will be the last one, against in-state rival Oregon State in December to finish off the season.
This past week: Oregon was off this week
Next week: The Ducks travel down to Arizona on Thursday night

3: Kansas, 10-0, BCS Score of .909
Every team that's up near the top has a strong quarterback and Kansas is no different. Led by sophomore Todd Reesing, Kansas remains undefeated in their quest to go 12-0 and make in to New Orleans for the National Championship. Reesing also should be a name being thrown around in Heisman talks, having put up over 2600 yards passing and 26 touchdowns through the air. While many of the other top ranked teams have seen their tougher opponents already and have an easier schedule from here on out, Kansas wraps up their season in two weeks against a very strong Missouri team. Barring any major upsets in the BCS, a win over Missouri could give Kansas enough of a boost to potentially get close to, if not into, the BCS title game.
This past week: Kansas beat Oklahoma State 43-28
Next week: Kansas hosts Iowa State on Saturday

4: Oklahoma, 9-1, BCS Score of .854
The Sooners pulled off another large victory, having now outscored opponents by an average of 28 points per game. Led by freshmen quarterback Sam Bradford, the Sooners have continued to roll over their opponents. Bradford has now thrown for 28 touchdowns and for over 2500 yards in 10 games. Oklahoma is not only in striking distance of a BCS title game berth, but they also are looking strong in winning the Big 12 this season.
This past week: Oklahoma beat Baylor with no problem, 52-21, as Bradford had yet another big game
Next week: Oklahoma travels to Texas Tech for a night game on Saturday.

5: Missouri, 9-1, BCS Score of .810
Following an Ohio State loss, Missouri has now worked themselves into the Top 5 in the BCS rankings. Led by junior quarterback Chase Daniels, who has 26 passing touchdowns and over 3300 passing yards, the Missouri Tigers are slowly creeping up to a top two spot in the BCS to head to New Orleans for a shot at a national championship. To do this, however, Missouri will have to face the currently third ranked Kansas team. Whichever team can win that matchup in the last week of the regular season has a legitimate shot at heading to the BCS National Championship.
This past week: Missouri beat Texas A&M 40-26.
Next week: Missouri travels to Kansas State to take on the Wildcats in a day game.

Week 12 Game to Watch: Ohio State at Michigan, Saturday November 17, Noon on ABC
Both teams are coming off of losses to Big Ten opponents. Ohio State lost to Illinois in Columbus and Michigan went up to Wisconsin and lost. The Big Ten doesn't have a championship game, but with the conference records that both of these teams have, this essentially serves as the Big Ten Championship game, with the winner clinching the best record in the Big Ten. Expect to see Mike Hart playing, not sitting on the bench, as this is a big game, not just because of the rivalry, but because it will greatly impact what bowl game each of these teams goes to. Expect to see Ohio State to potentially start off slow in Ann Arbor, but once Todd Boeckman gets into a rhythm, expect the Ohio State offense to lead the Buckeyes to victory.