The BCS shakeup
The USC loss to Stanford, wait, let me rephrase that... the butt kicking that Stanford laid down on Southern Cal, has shaken up the BCS a little more than it was last week.
Last week, all that needed to happen was for USC to win out and the 10 teams that were to be chosen seemed pretty certain.
But, that isn't the case anymore.
For starters, this is a year that could very well see a three-loss team make a BCS game, and unlike Illinois in 2007, this team might deserve it.
Right now, there are nine teams/spots that look like locks:
Ohio State, Georgia Tech (or the ACC champ), Texas, Cincinnati, Oregon (or the Pac-10 champ), Alabama, Florida, TCU and Boise State.
The next couple weeks will be telling as far as finding the final team.
There are a number of things that could happen. Let's start in the Pac-10.
If there is a two-way, or even a three-way tie in the Pac-10, and the designated champion is not Stanford, then two teams could get in.
This might sound ridiculous, but my point is if Oregon State or Arizona somehow win the Pac-10, and Stanford finishes the year 9-3 and isn't the Pac-10 champ, the Cardinal are playing so well they might get chosen.
If Oregon wins out, all of this is moot, and the 10-2 Ducks would go to the Rose Bowl. I would think a 9-3 Stanford team would have an argument.
If Oregon wins out, that means Arizona and Oregon State would have lost, taking care of that. If Arizona or Oregon State beats Oregon, or and things sorted out with a number of three-loss teams, things could get hairy.
This scenario would leave any combination of Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State and Arizona with three overall losses.
Here is what could happen in the Big 12.
Oklahoma State is a darkhorse here. If the Cowboys beat Colorado this Saturday, which they should, and then beat Oklahoma in Norman to end the year (less likely) then Oklahoma State could state a case.
The only other thing that could happen is the Big 12 North winner, whatever below average team that is, would beat Texas in the conference title to get the automatic bid.
I don't think either scenario is very likely.
The Big Ten?
If Iowa and Penn State both finish at 10-2, I don't think either gets in, but it would be Iowa over Penn State. If Iowa loses to end the year, I still don't think Penn State would get the nod.
The Big East is interesting.
I think this is a very, very likely scenario. If both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh win this weekend, it would be the 11-0 Bearcats meeting the 10-1 Panthers. If Pittsburgh wins that game (which I think they will), both teams are 11-1 and I think both go to a BCS game. I am sure some would disagree with me about the Big East getting two, but I foresee it.
The ACC sucks.
The ACC champ is the only team getting a bid here. If Georgia Tech loses in the conference title game and someone like Clemson or Boston College earned the big, I don't see the Yellowjackets also getting in. A lot would have to happen for a two-loss GT team to get in.
SEC.
Done deal. Bama and Florida.
But what if they get upset at some point in their final two games? Well, the Tide play Chattanooga this week and Florida plays Florida International. At the very worst, the loser of the SEC title game has two-losses and still goes to the BCS.
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No way the pac-10 gets two teams now Stanford blew their chance to even be considered, so much for that. Now we know it is basically between Oklahoma State, Iowa, Penn State and Pittsburgh.