As we await the release of the Week 13 BCS standings, the Stanford Cardinal have received a somewhat unexpected boost in one third of the polls that make up the BCS rankings average. The Harris Interactive College Football Poll replaced the AP poll as one third of the BCS rankings. The poll is composed of former players, coaches and administrators, as well as current and former members of the media.
In the latest edition (PDF) of the Harris Interactive Poll, Stanford has risen fro No. 8 to No. 7 thanks to a leap over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Just as important is that they find themselves only 18 points back of LSU. This somewhat unexpected gain will likely move them much closer to LSU in the rankings. However it might not be enough to get the leap-frog in the BCS rankings that come out later today.
The real significance of all these rankings for Stanford at least is that LSU will be traveling to battle No. 12 Arkansas next weekend. If Arkansas can spring the upset, Stanford will climb even higher if they can handle their business against Oregon State.
Full poll is as follows:
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. Boise State
4. TCU
5. Wisconsin
6. LSU
7. Stanford
8. Ohio State
9. Oklahoma State
10. Michigan State
11. Alabama
12. Arkansas
13. Oklahoma
14. Virginia Tech
15. Nebraska
16. Missouri
17. South Carolina
18. Texas A&M
19. Nevada
20. Utah
21. Arizona
22. Florida State
23. North Carolina State
24. Iowa
25. Mississippi State