Ready for the BCS version of chaos theory?
Only six games matter this week—the three conference championships plus the contests featuring West Virginia, USC, and Hawaii.
But the butterfly effect that they could set off is mind-blowing.
Here are the three most obvious national title scenarios:
West Virginia and Missouri both win: West Virginia vs. Missouri
West Virginia wins, Missouri loses: West Virginia vs. Ohio State
West Virginia loses, Missouri wins: Missouri vs. Ohio State
However, if the Mountaineers and Tigers are both knocked off, all hell will break loose.
After all, teams No. 3 through 5 in the BCS standings are idle this week. And as the saying goes, idle hands are the devil’s tools.
Voting totals in parentheses. Strength of schedule based on cumulative record of past opposition.
#1 West Virginia 10-1 (383)
Previous: 3
Strength of Schedule: 34
Last Week: Beat UConn 66-21
This Week: Pittsburgh (+27.5)
West Virginia has already wrapped up the Big East title and a spot in the BCS, but the matchup with Pittsburgh has a championship game feel.
Not because of the Panthers 4-7 record, mind you—and it doesn't have anything to do with Dave Wannstedt’s sweet 'stache, either.
The 100th installment of the Backyard Brawl is West Virginia’s final hurdle in the dash to New Orleans.
Pittsburgh is brutal on the road, having lost six in a row and 11 of 14. Hence the four touchdown spread on Saturday.
The Mountaineers don’t have to cover though—they just have to win.
Even an ugly victory will wrap up an 11-1 campaign against a top-40 schedule—and will be enough to stave off Ohio State and Georgia, who will be watching with white knuckles.
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