BCS Championship Breakdown: Which Contenders Will Make it to New Orleans?

Contributor Written on November 15, 2007

(Page 2 of 3)

Need a lot of help to move up. Doesn't look too promising.

The Mountaineers have some issues to overcome. What initially looked like a stout Big East conference has been put in its place. South Florida, Rutgers, and Louisville have all been bumped from the top 25, reestablishing the fact that the Big East isn't quite ready to play with the big boys. Also, West Virginia must still dispatch the two surprise teams of the conference in UConn and Cincy. Both of these teams are playing way over their heads and a win over West Virginia by either should not be a surprise. Even if the Mountaineers win out they would still be in line behind Oklahoma, Oregon, LSU, and Ohio State. So they will need some help. But hey, it could happen. The Big 12 will beat each other up and the SEC Championship is no joke. The good thing is they still have Pat White and Steve Slaton for another year.

Arizona State (9-1)
Marquee Wins: Cal, UCLA
Record Against Ranked Teams: (1-1)
Remaining Schedule: USC, Arizona
Bottom Line: Not enough firepower to win out.

Dennis Erickson has done a great job with his group in a Pac 10 conference that gets better every year. That said, ASU's middle of the road offense and defense won't be enough to finish the season without another loss. The Sun Devils will lose at home to a USC team looking to salvage the season. And ASU will be completely eliminated from national title contention and conference title contention.

Kansas (10-0)
Marquee Wins: Kansas State, Texas A&M
Record Against Ranked Teams: (1-0)
Remaining Schedule: Iowa State, Missouri, Big 12 Championship (TBD)
Bottom Line: The Cinderella story will not have a happy ending.

The Jayhaws have put together a great year with some gaudy statistics. Quarterback Todd Reesing has had a great year throwing 26 TD's with only 4 interceptions. The Kansas offense averages just under 46 points a game while the defense averages giving up only 15. But Kansas has yet to play a team that has accumulated more than six wins this year. And of the five other Big 12 opponents with a winning record, the Jayhawks have played just one of them (Texas A&M, 6-4). Somehow Kansas has scratched out 10 wins without even being tested. Mangino and the boys will be tested November 24 at home against Missouri. And Missouri will be plenty inspired to win this game. A win here will mean an opportunity to avenge the Tigers' only loss of the season against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship in December. Missouri will likely win, though the outcome of this game is of little importance in the national title hunt. Oklahoma will beat whoever shows up to the title game in Missouri.

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written on November 15, 2007 Sports