11. Cincinnati (previous: 16) 10-2; beat Syracuse 30-10
Win the games you’re supposed to, hang tough in the others, and spring an upset or two along the way. Doesn’t seem too hard, but most teams can’t do it. Arguably—given their record since—the loss to Connecticut is the only game the Bearcats need to feel bad about (losing @ Oklahoma by less than Texas Tech did can be seen as a moral victory).
12. TCU (previous: 14) 10-2; no game, regular season completed
13. Ball State (previous: 15) 12-0; beat Western Michigan 45-22
BCS material? No. Eight-team playoff material? Nope. Sixteen-team playoff material? Yes, which is why there probably will not be a 16-team playoff. The “major” conferences wouldn’t tolerate letting the “mid-majors” play with them and want to keep the sandbox small (preferably for two)…
14. BYU (previous: 18) 10-2; no game, regular season completed
15. Missouri (previous: 11) 9-3; lost to Kansas 37-40
Missouri should have put the game away but was ineffective in keeping the Jayhawks offense and special teams contained. Letting the Fighting Manginos hang around until the end of the game meant trouble. The weather didn’t help, but should be no excuse; after all, Missouri will play the Big XII South champion in Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 6.
16. Oklahoma State (previous: 13) 9-3; lost to No. T-2 Oklahoma 41-61
Credit the Cowboys for hanging in the game almost until the very end; the game was closer than the final score indicated. But daring Oklahoma to beat you with its passing game can get you burned...
17. Georgia (previous: 12) 9-3; lost to No. 22 Georgia Tech 42-45
Georgia’s season was already disappointing before the loss to rival Georgia Tech. Now it’s worse. The ‘Dawgs were favored to win the SEC, if not the national title, and they haven’t met those expectations. Coach Richt will have to motivate his players to make sure they approach their bowl game seriously, or another unpleasant surprise awaits.
18. Georgia Tech (previous: 22) 9-3; beat No. 12 Georgia 45-42
Georgia Tech makes a jump up the ranking due to a road win in Athens. Not that it hasn’t been done before; it’s that the Yellow Jackets came ready to fight until the last play. However, the Ramblin’ Wreck misses out on an ACC title game berth (and a shot at a BCS bowl) due to a 5-3 conference record (including a loss to No. 24 Virginia Tech).
19. Mississippi (previous: 21) 8-4; beat Mississippi State 45-0
The Rebels finish with a more solid season than LSU, including a head-to-head victory. Don’t forget that road win in Gainesville, either. That’s an accomplishment in any year.
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