Alabama Loses to South Carolina: How Does It Shake Up BCS Title Picture?
The top team in the nation got upset in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday as South Carolina upset Alabama, 35-21.
The BCS picture just got blown wide open.
Unlike Florida in 2006 and 2008 and LSU in 2007, Alabama might not be able to rebound from a loss (two in LSU's case) and play for the national title.
If they do win out and take the SEC championship, they might be able to jump teams like those previous teams.
So who is right in the national title picture right now? Let's take a look.
Auburn
1 of 7
Cameron Newton and the Auburn Tigers sit right now at 6-0 and No. 7 in the AP poll. They barely beat Kentucky on Saturday, but benefit from the Alabama loss since they are now one of two undefeated SEC teams remaning (LSU the other).
If they run the table and win the SEC title, it would not be shocking to possibly see them play for the BCS title.
Their upcoming schedule is Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, Chattanooga, Georgia, and Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Those are all tough games (except for Chattanooga, of course) but if Auburn finds a way to win all of them and win the SEC Championship, they might be playing in Glendale, Arizona on January 10 for all the marbles.
Nebraska
2 of 7
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been one of the most explosive teams on offense this season with freshman Taylor Martinez at QB. Their defense is as good, if not better, than it was last year, and now they finally have found an offense. The Huskers look like an elite team as they are 6-0 and No. 5 in the AP Poll.
The rest of their games are winnable, with the reeling Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas A&M, and Colorado on the ledger. The major test would come in the Big 12 Championship Game, as the hated Oklahoma Sooners might be undefeated as well.
If Nebraska was to be undefeated going into the championship game and beat an undefeated Sooners team, they might make the jump into the BCS title game.
Oklahoma
3 of 7
With an exception of the Florida State demolition, every game this season has been close game. They beat Utah State by seven, Air Force by three, Cincinnati by two, and Texas by eight.
But they have won every game thus far, and that is all that matters for the No. 6 Sooners.
The Sooners have a very manageable schedule the rest of the way with Iowa State, Missouri, Colorado, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor, and the Bedlam Game with Oklahoma State, so don't be surprised to see them 12-0 in the Big 12 Championship Game.
This could put the Sooners into the title game if Nebraska was to be there with an unblemished schedule as well.
The Big 12 Championship could be the next Game of the Century if these two rivals come to Cowboys Stadium undefeated.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
TCU
4 of 7
How great would it be to see TCU play for the national title? That would be fantastic, especially if Boise State is playing them. There is only a slim chance, but who would not love that?
Anyway, with the exception of Oregon State, the TCU Horned Frogs have not really played anybody en route to being No. 4 in the AP poll and sitting at 6-0.
The Horned Frogs, as usual, have a fantastic defense and a pretty solid offense led by quarterback Andy Dalton, who has been there, done that, during his long tenure as the starter.
TCU has BYU, Air Force, UNLV, Utah, and San Diego State in their upcoming games. Air Force is a very underrated team and the Utah Utes are undefeated and sit at No. 10. Plus, the Horned Frogs have not won in Salt Lake City since they joined the Mountain West.
TCU will need some help to get to the BCS National Championship Game but their hopes are very much alive right now after Alabama's loss.
Boise State
5 of 7
If Boise State hadn't been jumped by Oregon in the AP poll, the Broncos may have gained the most with Alabama's loss, as they would have moved to No. 2 and been in a safe spot the rest of the way.
As usual, the Broncos have an explosive offense, very strong defense, and an excellent coach in Chris Peterson. They were looked at as one of the elite teams in the nation, and have certainly played like one as they have rolled to a 5-0 record.
They still gain a lot from the Alabama loss, because Boise State is not likely to lose the rest of the season. Their schedule contains Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Idaho, Fresno State, Nevada, and Utah State.
Nevada is by far the best team there, as it is currently ranked No. 19 and has yet to lose. However, it would be a major shock if Boise State lost even one game the rest of the way.
They may end up in the BCS National Championship Game should Oregon or Ohio State fall.
Oregon
6 of 7
The No. 2 Ducks boast the nation's most explosive offense with LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner at the running back position and Darren Thomas at quarterback. But Barner suffered a nasty injury Saturday against Washington State that is rumored to be a concussion. That might limit his effectiveness the rest of the season.
Luckily for Oregon, James is one of the top backs in the country.
The Ducks play UCLA, USC, Washington, Cal, Arizona, and Oregon State the rest of the season. There are some tough games in Arizona, who was ranked No. 9 before losing to Oregon State, and the Civil War with Oregon State, which is never an easy win. But Oregon should win all of those games and that would leave them in the BCS title game.
Ohio State
7 of 7
The Buckeyes have taken over the top spot in the AP poll thanks to Alabama's loss, and they are now the favorite to win the national title.
Led by the fantastic Terrelle Pryor, the Buckeyes have beaten down every team they have played thus far and look like a title team.
There are a bunch of tough games the rest of the way, and the Buckeyes will have to avoid looking ahead to a possible title berth. They have Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota, Penn State, Iowa, and The Game with Michigan. The Buckeyes should win all of those games but they won't be easy.
Right now though, the Buckeyes are the top team in the country.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
