1. Alabama (previous: 1) 12-0; beat Auburn 36-0
It would be so much easier if there were another team that was 12-0. Wait...strike that.
It would be so much easier if there were another team from a “major” (!) conference that was 12-0. Such is the Broken Championship System. The college football equivalent of Gorbachev’s perestroika, the BCS is doomed to fail by opening up the possibility for change.
Yes, my frie...uh, comrades...there have been reforms, and the “planners” have been tinkering with the machinery here and there, but the consciences of the fans have been awakened that there is an alternative.
The days of the BCS are numbered, much as the former Soviet Union began to crack, and then collapsed (after a failed attempt at turning the clock back).
Oh yeah: Alabama faces No. T-2 Florida for the SEC title in Atlanta on Dec. 6.
T-2. Oklahoma (previous: T-2) 11-1; beat No. 13 Oklahoma State 61-41
Of the three teams I had tied at T-2, the Sooners faced the toughest opponent. Despite a scrappy Oklahoma State team keeping the game close through more than three quarters, and the fact that Oklahoma was behind in a game for the first time since they played Texas, the Sooners put the game away late, and staked their claim on the field for a place in the Big XII title game.
Now, it remains for the BCS voters and computers to do the Big XII’s work for it. Nice alibi if you can justify it: “It’s not our fault!” say the Big XII administrators, “Blame the BCS rankings!”
For the purposes of this poll (which doesn’t allow ties), I am putting Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida in that order (Nos. 2, 3, and 4).
T-2. Texas (previous: T-2) 11-1; beat Texas A&M 49-9
Texas did as expected. So did Oklahoma and Texas Tech. The three-way tie remains, and the Big XII university presidents are idiots for using the BCS rankings as a conference tiebreaker.
In my own personal system, there are four teams deserving of being in a four-team playoff, and they’re ranked No. 1 and T-2.
Most of the fans reading this will agree that the two most deserving teams for the Big XII championship game are Oklahoma and Texas. This is one reason why I abhor divisions and incomplete conference schedules.
Unfortunately, neither the BCS nor the conferences are interested in putting the best teams in a playoff, let alone a one-off title game, whether at conference or national level. Them’s the facts.
T-2. Florida (previous: T-2) 11-1; beat No. 24 Florida State 45-15
Tebow & Co. finessed their way through a light sprinkle and a slightly moistened field in Tallahassee on their way to the SEC championship game. Tebow remains in the hunt for a second Heisman, but I bet he’d take a national title instead if he could only have one or the other this year (note: I'm not assuming he won't have a shot at both again next year, if he stays).
5. Utah (previous: 5) 12-0; no game, regular season completed
6. USC (previous: 7) 10-1; beat Notre Dame 38-3
Does the “mercy” rule kick in at a 40-point margin of victory? And for that matter, why would the Trojans adhere to such a rule? Because this is the second year the Trojans have put up 38 against the Fighting Irish. The difference being, this year Notre Dame scored...
USC remains outside of the title picture, with only an upset of the Big XII South champion by Big XII North champion Missouri this weekend really allowing them a slim chance at leaping both Oklahoma and Texas.
They regain their place ahead of Penn State by virtue of...catching up in their schedule. One game remains, @ rival UCLA this weekend, and barring a loss there, the Trojans will be facing Penn State in the Rose Bowl.
7. Penn State (previous: 6) 11-1; no game, regular season completed
8. Texas Tech (previous: 8) 11-1; beat Baylor 35-28
Almost lost to Baylor. The key word being “almost.” The Red Raiders hang on to their spot at No. 8. I don’t think they’ll make it to a BCS bowl. Therefore, I’d like to see them face off against Boise State in the “shootout of the year”...and that’s saying something, seeing what we’ve seen this season.
Perhaps instead of the OK Corral, they could meet at the Outback Steakhouse? The over/under should be 139 on that one!
9. Boise State (previous: 9) 12-0; beat Fresno State 61-10
The Broncos still have a slim chance of making a surprise appearance as the second “mid-major” from a non-BCS conference (in addition to Utah). It looks like it will come down to a choice between them and No. 10 Ohio State, and any BCS bowl would be tempted to take the Buckeyes. Expect much grumbling in Boise.
10. Ohio State (previous: 10) 10-2; no game, regular season completed
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