BCS Rankings 2010: 10 Schools Who Made Biggest Week 7 BCS Case
The first BCS Rankings 2010 poll is out. Another week down. Another No. 1 seed is grounded. Taking a look at all the parity in the top 10 this year, I just salivate at what could be with a playoff system for college football. For the second week in a row the No. 1 seed was upset and the top 10 had to again be reshuffled.
The collegiate elite largely made very easy work of their opponents this week. As we look ahead that will not always be the case. Here is how the BCS push in week 7 went down:
10: Wisconsin
1 of 10
With one foul swoop, Wisconsin knocked Ohio State from their perch atop college football. They then managed to give themselves the credibility they deserve as BCS contenders.
The Badgers came in with a game plan to stop the incomparable Terrell Pryor. They limited him to just 150 yards passing and 56 yards rushing. The real game changer was running back John Clay who pounded the Ohio State defense into submission. Buckeye fans have the rest of the year to marinate on this one. With too many great teams near the top, it will take a miracle for OSU to climb back to the top of the polls. I am sure OSU faithful never thought their reign on top would be so fleeting.
9: Utah
2 of 10
Jordan Wynn lead the Utes to an easy win Saturday. Wyoming had nothing in the way of a defensive presence. This may have been the main reason Wynn threw three picks. Wynn and the Utah offense became so relaxed that they took some chances in the red zone they shouldn't have.
Wynn will have to shore up his gunslinger ethic before they face TCU in a couple of weeks. They will not be confident throwing three interceptions on that day.
8: Michigan State
3 of 10
Michigan State have earned this and next Saturday’s fairly easy respite from competition. Coming off of big wins against Wisconsin and Michigan, they cruised to another W against their more feeble Illinis opponent.
The Spartans should remain in the top ten next week against Northwestern. Building momentum is the name of the game for them as they gear up for Iowa October 30th. They will need a comfortable win and some losses from the top tier teams in order to sniff the top of the BCS.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7: Alabama
4 of 10
Week 7 was a bounce back week for Alabama. After the wheels came off last week, a collective sigh could be heard all around Crimson Tide country when the clocked ticked zero and Alabama finished off Mississippi.
You could tell all day that Bama was working on getting the little things right. They took care of business this week and fate as they would have it is in their hands. A rise back to prominence will be difficult but not out of the question. The Tide have the strength of opponents to make some noise yet again this season. Wins against LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn would easily but them safely in the top five again.
6: LSU
5 of 10
Winning a national championship is tough enough. The parity among teams is unrelenting. You cannot then make it tougher on yourself by giving games away. LSU tried to do just that on Saturday. They may have won with breathing room but that was more due to the lack of talent on McNeese State.
This game was supposed to be a blowout from start to finish. It was more the case that the cream slowly rose to the top. I understand that it is hard for a team to get up for a lesser opponent but next week will be entirely different against Auburn. LSU will need to put in the defensive effort they did in the second half if they plan on winning next week on the road.
It is a good thing they have Michael Ford and Steve Ridley to pound the ball all game. In the end State was much too undersized to put up a fight.
5: Auburn
6 of 10
Easily the game of the week, Auburn and Arkansas were toe to toe for three quarters. Momentum is a fickle lady and sometimes one play can turn the tide of even the closest of races. That is exactly what happened Saturday in Auburn.
As running back Broderick Green was being brought down after a four yard run, the ball came loose and hit the grass. The ball then found the hands of Auburn’s Zac Etheridge. He ran the fumble recovery back 47 yards to a touchdown, and the victory. Immediately after the turnover, the Razorbacks seemed to submit. Putting all your energy into three quarters of neck and neck football to see it trounced by a costly mistake can take take all the energy from you team.
4: TCU
7 of 10
Going into their home game against BYU, Texas Christian really did not have to prove too much. As long as they showed up semi conscious they would leave BYU tattered. That is pretty much what happened.
After a lackluster first quarter, Andy Dalton and the TCU offense machine cruised to four touchdowns and a very easy victory. Great teams make sure to make quick work of their lesser opponents. TCU has been doing that all season. It is also what has them behind in the polls at number four. Their opponents have been so weak that voters can’t trust that their offense would best similar opponents like Boise State or Oregon. It is that reason alone that TCU may finish right outside striking distance unless we see one more team falter in the top three.
3: Oklahoma
8 of 10
So, Iowa State played DeMarco Murray on Saturday and they lost, big. Murray scored twice, going over the top for one and running a juke to the right for the second. I half expected him to moonwalk a third one in but alas I would be disappointed.
Landry Jones also had his way with the Iowa State defense throwing for over 330 yards. What was more impressive was his completion rate of 30 for 34. The Sooners have a special tandem in Murray and Jones. Their Showcase on Saturday was truly something to behold.
2: Oregon
9 of 10
Granted Oregon didn't prove anything per se this week. How could they if they didn't even play. I submit to you that there is a lot to like about taking a breather for a BCS contender.
First off it comes at a great time. It is the middle of the season and it is not just a bye week. It is a bye week and a half. Because they play UCLA this Thursday, the Ducks will have had 11 days to recharge themselves for the final push of the season.
Second, they don’t lose ground. While Ohio State is relinquishing control of the BCS with an upsetting loss, Oregon is home gaining ground. It is a phenomenon you can only appreciate in the wild confines of NCAA football. Although UCLA is coming off a punishing loss to Cal and similarly has had just as many days rest, the Ducks will again utilize the energy in Autzen stadium to make quick work of the Bruins.
1: Boise State
10 of 10
If there was any doubt that Boise State would rise to the top of the BCS poll, they squashed it on Saturday. Kellen Moore was just as precise as ever. The Broncos defense was just as stingy.
If Boise State gain the number one spot this week in the BCS polls, I don't see how they relinquish it. This one is theirs to lose. Their remaining schedule touts no one in the top 25. In the end this may be the first time a Mountain West team was grateful for their strength of schedule.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
