While the California Golden Bears aren't a particularly good football team in 2010, the beatdown Stanford laid on them in the 2010 Big Game is likely going to get at least a little respect when it comes to the 2010 BCS standings and projections for the coming week. Cal was coming off a great defensive effort against Oregon and proceeded to get absolutely waylaid by the Cardinal offense. Stanford is a very good football team but I was stunned by how easily they manhandled Cal.
Now we look ahead to projected BCS rankings for Week 12. All the teams ahead of Stanford either won or had a bye so they won't see a ton of change in their rankings, except for adjustments to the computer polls based on changes in their strength of schedule. However, there was one interesting upset when Nebraska was knocked off by Texas A&M. Nebraska was two spots behind Stanford at No. 8 in the BCS standings. However, the Cornhuskers ranked higher than the Cardinal in two of the computer polls. They would likely fall back of Stanford in both of those ratings at this point and thus give Stanford a little boost.
This boost likely won't make a huge difference because there is a sizable chunk of space between Stanford and the No. 5 LSU Tigers. However, the changes could give Stanford a little bit more wiggle room in front of No. 7 Wisconsin.
After twelve weeks of college football here are my projections for the BCS Top 10. The biggest change is in the 8-10 range with Nebraska dropping and the three schools behind them rising. Also, TCU had a bye while Boise State destroyed a solid Fresno State. I don't think the win was enough for the Broncos to pass TCU, but they'll be neck and neck at the No. 3 and 4 positions:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Boise State
5. LSU
6. Stanford
7. Wisconsin
8.
Ohio State
9.
Oklahoma State
10. Alabama