As the first edition of the BCS rankings are revealed, college football is entering the homestretch. Only five weeks remain in the regular season, and the spots for the BCS Bowls are still up for grabs. With just over a month left, the contenders are yet to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. In addition to ranking the top ten teams in the country, I provided what I expect the team to accomplish in the remainder of the regular season. Let’s start with number ten:

10. Texas Tech (7-0): Behind the second best passing attack in the nation, the Red Raiders are going for the Big 12 title. The 7-0 mark is impressive, except for the fact that they’re yet to beat a ranked team. However, Texas Tech has three ranked opponents left (at Oklahoma, home against Oklahoma State and Baylor) and a big game at Texas.

Projected Finish: 10-2

9. Clemson (6-1): The Tigers were having a great season until the Seminoles came to town and destroyed them. Their best hope now is to run the table, which includes the season finale against ranked South Carolina, and get into a BCS bowl as an at-large team.

Projected Finish: 11-1

8. Stanford (6-1): The lone loss on the road against Utah hurts this team, and will likely take away any chance at a National Championship, but a BCS Bowl appearance is not out of question. The home game against Oregon in two weeks is Stanford’s last big test, and a win could go a long way for the Cardinal.

Projected Finish: 10-2

7. Missouri (6-0): I would rank the Tigers higher, but after QB James Franklin went down, it’s hard to tell if the offense will maintain the same level of play or not. However, they will get to face ranked SEC opponents in Texas A&M and South Carolina later this season, which will be their best chance to move up the rankings.

Projected Finish: 10-2, SEC runner up

6. Miami (6-0): Miami is another team that is yet to have a win against a currently ranked team, but they’ll have a chance to prove themselves against Virginia Tech and against Florida State in Tallahassee. Miami hasn’t gotten the same praise as their ACC foes, but this team could be playing for the conference championship six weeks from now.

Projected Finish: 11-1, ACC runner up

5. Baylor (6-0): The Bears offense is unstoppable, and the defense is good enough to keep them in games. Baylor is yet to play a ranked team, but the rest of their schedule is no joke. They have a three-week stretch with games against ranked Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State. Not an easy path to winning the Big 12.

Projected Finish: 11-1, Big 12 Champion

4. Ohio State (7-0): Ohio State could run the table, but will it matter? The strongest remaining opponent is a Michigan team that may not be ranked when the game occurs. The Buckeyes should win the Big 10, and be in the Rose Bowl, but they’ll need some serious help to play for the Championship.

Projected Finish: 12-0, Big 10 Champion

3. Florida State (6-0): Following a demolition of a great Clemson team, only the Miami Hurricanes stand between Florida State and an undefeated season. Not only could this team be playing for the National Championship, freshman phenom Jameis Winston could be lifting the Heisman in a couple of months.

Projected Finish: 12-0, ACC Champion

2. Oregon (7-0): Oregon’s next two games are against UCLA and a trip to Palo Alto to face Stanford. Sophomore Marcus Mariota will have a chance to stake his claim for the Heisman during this stretch. No team has a tougher slate to end the season than the Ducks, but if Oregon can win those two games, they could be playing for a National Championship in January.

Projected Finish: 12-0, Pac 12 Champion

1. Alabama (7-0): Alabama’s run at a three-peat is still intact. They’ve handled every opponent they’ve faced so far, winning six games by 25 points or more, and a huge win against Texas A&M on the road. With just two ranked opponents (LSU and Auburn) between them and the SEC Championship game, the Tide could run the table.

Projected Finish: 11-1, SEC Champion

|