Bleacher Report's College Football Top25: Week 13

And not only are Kansas and Missouri invited to the Big 12 banquet—they’re at the head of the table.

It took 116 meetings for this rivalry game to really mean something outside the states’ borders.  Only Minnesota and Wisconsin have a more extensive series history. 

There’s little doubt that this one will have been worth the wait.

If either team can win out, they’ll claim their first outright conference title and play for the national prize.

T-#3  Missouri  10-1  (280)
Previous:  6
Strength of Schedule: 52
Last Week:  Beat Kansas State 49-32
This Week:  Kansas (-1.5)

Mizzou assumes Oklahoma’s spot as the second-ranked Big 12 team, but make no mistake about it—the Tigers cringed when the Sooners took a tumble at Tech. 

As a 10-1 team—with its only loss coming in Norman—Missouri was hoping that consecutive wins over Kansas and Oklahoma could vault its program into the top two in the BCS standings. 

While Chase Daniel and Co. are tied with West Virginia in our poll, the Mountaineers have the edge in the BCS standings—and it’s unclear whether a Big 12 Championship win over a two- (or even three-) loss Oklahoma will be enough.

T-#3  West Virginia  9-1  (280)
Previous:  5
Strength of Schedule: 68
Last Week:  Beat Cincinnati 28-23
This Week:  Connecticut (+17)

West Virginia is thankful for losing early, and having two more opportunities to impress late.

After last week’s column, you probably never thought I’d make this argument for a Big Ten team.  But compare the Mountaineers with the Buckeyes. 

At the moment, Ohio State has the same number of losses and one more win against a stronger schedule.  OSU’s only loss came against BCS No. 17 Illinois—West Virginia’s against No. 23 South Florida. 

Why, then, does West Virginia pull rank? 

Primarily because the Bucks breakdown in Week 11 is fresh in our minds, while West Virginia’s wreck in Week Five is virtually forgotten.

The Mountaineers will gain schedule strength with a victory over UConn, not to mention a second Big East title in three seasons.  And even ugly wins in the next two weeks will preserve their lead over Ohio State. 

#5  Arizona State  9-1  (254)
Previous:  9
Strength of Schedule: 66
Last Week:  BYE
This Week:  USC (-3, Thursday)

The Oregon loss puts Arizona State back on the lead lap of the Pac-10 race.  A win over USC could also bring a BCS title back into the picture.

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