Bleacher Report's College Football Top25: Week 12

Keep in mind, the Big Ten chooses not to play a full round robin or split into divisions and play a conference championship game.  Instead, it allows member schools to fill schedules with The Citadel, and Kent St., and Buffalo, and Florida International. 

No conference has abused the 12-game format more than the Big Ten.

And this weekend’s Big Game has never felt so small.

#8  Georgia  (8-2)
Previous:  10
Strength of Schedule: 21
Last Week:  Beat Auburn 45-20
This Week:  Kentucky (+8)

That loss to Tennessee looms large in Georgia. 

Tied with the Vols in the loss column, the Bulldogs need to win out and hope that Vanderbilt or Kentucky can beat Phil Fulmer.  Otherwise, Rocky Top will represent the SEC East in the conference championship game.

Then again, that might be the best thing for Georgia.

Just as LSU went to the Sugar Bowl last season without having to play in the conference championship, the Bulldogs stand a much better chance of earning a BCS berth if they don’t have to play LSU in December.

With two losses, the Dawgs’ national championship aspirations are unrealistic.  So why run the risk of losing a third game and missing out on the BCS altogether?

It’s the fuzzy logic that can only exist in college football.

#9  Arizona State  (9-1)
Previous:  8
Strength of Schedule: 57
Last Week:  Beat UCLA 24-20
This Week:  BYE

Arizona State isn’t out of this thing yet. 

In fact, don’t be surprised to see 85 Sun Devils mixed into the student section in Tucson Thursday night.

The bye week comes at a perfect time for ASU, enabling the entire fan base to root for rival Arizona against Oregon.  That upset would put Dennis Erickson and Co. right back in the Pac-10 driver’s seat as the only one-loss program in the conference.

#10  USC  (8-2)
Previous:  14
Strength of Schedule: 100
Last Week:  Beat Cal 24-17
This Week:  BYE

USC has been to an unprecedented five consecutive BCS games, and is on the verge of earning a sixth invitation.

Remember, no conference is allowed to have more than two BCS representatives per year, and right now the Trojans are third in the Pac-10 pecking order. 

Of course, that provision is rendered irrelevant by the November 22 clash between Arizona State and USC.  Given the strength of the conference this season, the winner of that game will earn a berth, barring any other pitfalls.

#11  Virginia Tech  (8-2)
Previous: 13
Strength of Schedule: 23
Last Week:  Beat Florida State 40-21
This Week:  Miami (+16.5)

#12  Texas  (9-2)
Previous:  16
Strength of Schedule: 53
Last Week:  Beat Texas Tech 59-43
This Week:  BYE

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