BCS Rankings 2010: Boise State Projected to Be Atop BCS Rankings
Earlier this morning, ESPN projected what the BCS standings would look like if they were to be released today. This list may shock you.
It even took me by surprise.
Atop the standings, according to ESPN's projections, are the Boise State Broncos. Yes, you read that right.
Boise State heads up the projected BCS standings, which is going to send a lot of college football fans into a frenzy.
I know the arguments are going to come that "Boise State hasn't played anybody" or "Boise State doesn't play in a real conference," all the arguments against them that are predictable to this point.
Let's break down the top 10 on this projected list, their schedule to come, a possible trap game, and the chances for each team to make it to the BCS title game.
Without further ado, let's get to it.
No. 10: Alabama Crimson Tide
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The Alabama Crimson Tide are the defending national champions and, through five weeks of the season, it looked as if they had a legit shot to repeat as champions.
Enter South Carolina.
The Gamecocks jumped out a 21-3 lead in the second quarter that had most college football fans stunned. The Tide tried to make a comeback, but never got closer than seven points before South Carolina pulled away for the eventual 35-21 win.
Current record: 5-1
Next game: Oct. 16 vs Ole Miss
Potential pitfall: Nov. 6th at (12) LSU
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: The Crimson Tide will need to hope for a loss, or two, from Ohio State, Oregon, Boise State, TCU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Auburn if they hope to get close.
One loss may take Boise State and TCU completely out of the picture. You could probably add Oregon to that list as well.
But one loss from Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Auburn may not be enough for the Tide to sneak in.
No. 9: Michigan State Spartans
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The Michigan State Spartans are coming off back-to-back huge wins over Wisconsin at home and rival Michigan on the road, not to mention a win over Notre Dame a few weeks earlier.
Michigan State trailed Michigan 10-7 in the second quarter, but finished the game with a 27-10 run to put the Wolverines away.
Current record: 6-0
Next game: Oct. 16th vs. Illinois
Potential pitfall: Oct. 30th at Iowa
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: I think I can answer this by plainly saying, slim to none.
They would have to stay unbeaten and hope for two losses from teams like Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State to get there. I just don't see that happening.
No. 8: Auburn Tigers
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The Auburn Tigers seem to be that one team that is lurking in the tall grass, just waiting for a team or two to drop one game to allow them to sneak through to the top.
It's not that they haven't had their close calls, including three-point wins against Mississippi State, Clemson, and this past weekend at Kentucky, which needed a defensive stop to get the job done.
While they're winning close games, the popular saying holds true for them. "Just win baby."
Current record: 6-0
Next game: Oct. 16th vs (11) Arkansas
Possible pitfall: I'd say their next two at home against Arkansas and LSU could bring them their first loss.
But for some reason, I'm staring at their Nov. 13th match up against Georgia. Say what you want about the Bulldogs, but they'd love to play spoiler at the end of the season, especially against Auburn.
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: I think their chance of getting to the BCS title game is better than Alabama's at this point, but only IF they can get past Arkansas and LSU coming up. With both of those games coming at home, and the way Cam Newton is playing right now, they should be able to take both games.
The same thing I've said about Alabama also holds true for Auburn. They're going to need at least one loss from the teams in front of them.
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No. 7: Nebraska Cornhuskers
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers refuse to lose, and that might be thanks to their quarterback Taylor Martinez, who looked like he wanted to be back in the Heisman conversation after this past weekend.
They've scored 40 or more points in three of their first five games, with one getting close to that mark (Idaho), but struggled to a 17-3 win over South Dakota State two weeks ago.
They shook that one off and ran all over Kansas State to a 48-13 win that saw Martinez put up 369 yards of total offense, 241 yards rushing, and five touchdowns, four of which came on the ground.
Current record: 5-0
Next game: Oct. 16 vs. Texas
Possible pitfall: Oct. 23rd at (22) Oklahoma State
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: The way Nebraska is playing right now, they could play with any team in the country, especially with a guy like Taylor Martinez running on everybody. I would actually love to see Auburn and Nebraska match up, just to see who wins the rushing battle between Cam Newton and Martinez.
As I've said for the other teams on this list, Nebraska is going to have to hope for at least one loss from Ohio State and Oregon. If you ask me, I think the Cornhuskers may end up leaping Boise State by the end of the season if their margin of victory is high.
No. 6: LSU Tigers
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The LSU Tigers continue to sneak away with wins, kind of like what Oklahoma had been doing through their first few weeks of the season.
Though there are those that will tell you the Tigers have gotten some help from the officials.
Be that as it may, the Tigers got a last-second touchdown for the second consecutive week to pull out a 33-29 win over Florida a week after they survived a 16-14 win over Tennessee.
Current record: 6-0
Next game: Oct. 16th vs McNeese State
Possible pitfall: Oct. 23rd at (8) Auburn
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: Slim to none.
I don't believe LSU is going to get past Auburn in a little less than two weeks, especially on the road. Even if they win that one, they have a matchup with Alabama two weeks after that.
No. 5: Ohio State Buckeyes
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While there will be arguments against Boise State as to who they've played this season, you might be able to say the same about Ohio State thus far, their only solid win coming at home against then 12th-ranked Miami.
The other five wins on Ohio State's belt came against Marshall, Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, with Illinois being the only game they've played on the road this season.
Current record: 6-0
Next game: Oct. 16th at (18) Wisconsin
Possible pitfall: Nov. 20th at (15) Iowa
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: I'd say Ohio State has a more than legit chance of being one of the team's in the BCS championship game come January.
The only way that doesn't happen is if they slip on the road against Wisconsin or Iowa or at home against Penn State or Michigan, none of which are all that likely.
But you never know.
No. 4: Oklahoma Sooners
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Utah State, Air Force, and Cincinnati.
Three teams that Oklahoma beat by a combined 12 points.
Utah State was the same team that got a beatdown delivered to them by San Diego State. After the Aztecs' loss to then one-win BYU, it can't look good to Oklahoma's schedule.
Since then, the Sooners have delivered wins over Texas, as well as a 47-17 throttling of Florida State, who just ran over Miami.
So one win doesn't look so good, the other looks very good. Kind of evens itself out.
Current record: 5-0
Next game: Oct. 16th vs Iowa State
Possible pitfall: Nov. 13 vs Texas Tech
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: The way Oklahoma's schedule is laid out at the moment, they would have to put a big margin of victory over each of the teams they have left, which includes big road games against Missouri and Oklahoma State, not to mention a very much improved Baylor squad.
Win out, and they'll need a loss from Auburn, Oregon, or Ohio State to get close.
No. 3: TCU Horned Frogs
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The TCU Horned Frogs, after a nine-point win over Oregon State, a win that looks even better after the Beavers knocked off Arizona this past weekend, have blown out every other opponent they've faced this season.
They've pitched back-to-back shutouts over Colorado State and Wyoming, and scored 40 or more points in four of their last five games.
Current record: 6-0
Next game: Oct. 16th vs BYU
Possible pitfall: Nov. 6th at (10) Utah
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: The TCU Horned Frogs have arguably the best defense in college football. Though there are those that will tell you their numbers are overrated because of the conference they play in and their opponents.
If Boise State and Oregon stay unbeaten, there's no chance they'll get any higher than fourth or fifth in the rankings. Even going unbeaten would probably not get them close enough.
No. 2: Oregon Ducks
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The Oregon Ducks have arguably the best offense in college football, having scored 40 or more points in every game so far this season, three of which they scored 50 or more.
They have wins on the road against Tennessee, Arizona State, and a solid home win against then ninth-ranked Stanford.
Most "experts" didn't think Oregon was going to have much success at all, with Jeremiah Masoli being kicked not only off the team, but out of school, and landing in Ole Miss. But Darron Thomas and LaMichael James have carried the Ducks, and could end up being one of the 10 best offenses in college football history.
Current record: 6-0
Next game: Oct. 21st vs UCLA
Possible pitfall: Oct. 30th at USC or Nov. 13th at Cal
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: If Oregon keeps this up, there's no question in my mind that they will have a spot in the national title game. Who it will be against will depend on how the rest of the season plays out for teams like Ohio State, Boise State, and Nebraska, not to mention Oklahoma and Auburn.
No. 1: Boise State Broncos
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The Boise State Broncos are the projected No. 1 team on ESPN's BCS standings, if they were to be released today.
The boys in blue are perhaps the most criticized team in college football, and are close to being the most hated by those east of the rocky mountains.
Their win over then 10th-ranked Virginia Tech was called "soft" after the Hokies dropped a home game to James Madison a few weeks later. Since then, Virginia Tech has rattled off four straight wins, including a win on the road against 23rd-ranked NC State.
As for their win over Oregon State, that is also starting to look a little better, especially after the Beavers upset Arizona on the road this past weekend.
Current record: 6-0
Next game: Oct. 16th at San Jose State
Possible pitfall: Nov. 6th vs Hawaii
Chances of making it to the BCS title game: Boise State is the one team that no one wants to see play in the national championship game. At least those outside of Boise, Idaho.
However, if the Broncos stay unbeaten, the national media, and college football fans alike, may have to deal with the Broncos getting a spot in the national championship game.
That being said, I've been of the opinion that no matter what Boise State did this season, no matter what their margin of victory was, the BCS title game was going to be out of reach and given to the likes of Ohio State, Oregon, and Auburn before Boise State would even be able to sniff it.
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