Upset Alert: Undefeated Teams and the Art of Sneakiness in College Football

When is the last time we all saw an undefeated team finish that way? How about the last time we saw a No. 1 remain No. 1 at the end of the college football season?

It's been a while for both, but this year we are destined to see one, the other, or both happen in January.

But there are always bumps in the road for each team that eyes those brass rings. With only a select few that remain undefeated this season, which team will be looking to take them down from the ranks of the undefeated?

After looking at their remaining schedules, here's a look at the teams that could be the ultimate bracket buster come Selection Sunday.

No. 1 Florida Gators (8-0, 5-0 SEC)

The Gators are still undefeated. They are still the No. 1 team in the country. But in all that, they still know they have a tough road ahead as they polish off the final four games of the regular season.

With a pair of pushovers left (Vandy and Florida International), as well as a pair of possible trap games, it's clear that if Florida looks to head to Pasadena, they have to have the perfect season.

Which brings us to those two trap games: South Carolina and Florida State.

The Gators have had their problems with both teams in the past, but I think this is the same Gators team that was motivated last season.

With a trip to visit the Ol' Ball Coach coming up, Florida will have to defeat the depleted Cocks to finish off the SEC season undefeated.

As for Florida State, they may be having a losing season, but they will bring it all to the table when they face Florida in the annual Governor's Cup game.

If Florida can survive them, they will finish the season perfect heading into Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.

Who will they play in Atlanta? It's either Alabama or LSU.

Upset Alerts: @ South Carolina, vs. Florida State, vs. SEC West Champion

No. 2 Texas Longhorns (8-0, 5-0 Big XII)

The Horns have possibly the easier schedule of all the undefeated teams. After trouncing Oklahoma State, it looks as if no team is safe from the demolition derby known as the Texas Longhorns.

But as always, you can't script college football.

Texas has had some offensive woes the past month, but with a pair of cream puffs on deck, they might be able to fix those problems heading into the final stretch.

In this case, it turns out that their biggest threats to their perfect season are their final three opponents.

In other words, Kansas provides a stingy defense that could prove to be harmful to Colt McCoy's magical run. That's not even mentioning that Texas A&M is still as tough as they were when they were winning games.

The Aggies and Jayhawks will look to punish that half-existent offense and put the defense in the hot seat.

But the third challenge will come out of the Big XII North.

I know what you're thinking. Even though the top two teams in the division are boasting losing records, they have been known to play spoiler once or twice.

Hopefully this won't be like last year's Big XII Championship, which saw Oklahoma trounce Mizzou to win the Big XII and the spot in the BCS Championship.

Upset Alert: vs. Kansas, @ Texas A&M, vs. Big XII North Champion

No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC)

Of all the teams left without a loss, Alabama has the best chance...the best chance of losing.

After a lackluster performance against Tennessee that almost gave them their first loss, Alabama returns from their bye week with a dangerous opponent on tap.

The Tide also have four opponents they should be wary of en route to their quest for Atlanta. A win this weekend puts them in a SEC Championship rematch against Florida. A loss puts them in a very bad spot.

As far as upsets go, Nick Saban should keep his rabbit's foot close for the next month...literally.

From a computer standpoint, Alabama could still lose, creep into the SEC Championship, lose that one, and still make it to the BCS Championship Game. From a common sense standpoint, this is nothing like LSU's title run a few years ago.

Bama has a pair of road games that could end with them on the short end of the stick. But that's in a few weeks...they still got LSU this weekend.

And if the Tigers win that game, guess what? They go to Atlanta to face the Gators, not the Tide.

Upset Alert: vs. LSU, @ Mississippi State, vs. Chattanooga, @ Auburn, @ Florida

No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0, 4-0 Big East)

While Alabama has the tougher road ahead, Cincinnati may not be able to finish undefeated. In fact, I could go on record right now and say that they are not the better team in the Big East.

That title belongs to Pitt.

In any event, they have at least two games they should watch out for. If UConn brings their A-game to the table, call it three games. After the Huskies, they got the Mountaineers, Illini, and Panthers in a possible Big East Championship Showdown.

The Bearcats won't have an easy road back to the BCS, and if they lose to Pitt, they will lose the Big East in all honesty.

Upset Alert: vs. UConn, vs. West Virginia, @ Pitt

No. 5 Boise State Broncos (8-0, 3-0 WAC)

On any planet, the thought of Boise State doing another magical run would be sweet. But on this planet, it just adds to the stress that voters and computers will be under come Selection Sunday.

However, they got a few games to watch out for in the final stretch.

On paper, Louisiana Tech is an easy win, but in reality, they are 3-0 at home. They have lost their last two games by a total of three points. So for the sake of argument, this is a trap game for the Broncos.

After that game, they have one of the most surprising teams in the country coming up in Idaho.

If Idaho can win this one, they may be able to surpass Boise State for the WAC championship. But they also have Nevada to deal with as well.

Upset Alert: @ Louisiana Tech, vs. Idaho, vs. Nevada

No. 6 TCU Horned Frogs (8-0, 4-0 Mountain West)

The Horned Frogs must love being the favorites. But that love may turn into hate as they vie to become the outright Mountain West champion. To do that, they will have to defeat the team that is in their rear view.

How short can it be of a list? Two teams. That's it.

Utah is 4-0 in MWC play, and Wyoming will look to get off their slump. Both teams look to improve at the expense of the Horned Frogs. TCU should hit the panic button if either of these teams manages to find their groove before them.

TCU can't afford a loss mainly because of who is above them in the rankings. After they battle the Aztecs, they should take a page out of Michigan's playbook and put in some extra practice for their game against the Utes.

A loss puts Boise State in the driver's seat and possibly sends the Frogs out of the top 10.

Upset Alert: vs. Utah, @ Wyoming

No. 8 Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten)

It's said that it's better to be lucky than good. In the last three games, Iowa has managed to be both.

After taking victory from the jaws of defeat against Michigan, Michigan State, and Indiana, the Hawkeyes are primed to make a big run to the Big Ten championship.

The Hawkeyes are vying for a trip to the BCS. Can anyone remember when the last time was they were in the BCS?

But their road will not be easy either. Their last two games will prove whether they are contenders or pretenders.

In other words, if they can defeat Ohio State in "Da Shoe" and Minnesota at home, they will be one of those teams that might get the shaft...but they will finish undefeated.

But don't count Northwestern out completely.

Upset Alert: @ Ohio State, vs. Minnesota