BCS Rankings Week 8: Current BCS Bowl Projections
We were treated to yet another crazy weekend of college football with the No. 1 team getting dropped for the third straight week. Oklahoma rolled into MIzzou and got handed its first loss of the season, trimming the number of unbeatens down to just seven.
Only time will tell if this weekend will provide the drama and emotion we have been witness to thus far. And with big road games for both top two teams, anything can happen.
Auburn's win over conference rival LSU combined with Oklahoma's loss to the Missouri was enough for Auburn to jump three spots in the polls and climb to No. 1 in the BCS. Cameron Newton looks like college football's new big star and and a new Heisman frontrunner.
With the new BCS standings reflecting the changes from the past week, let's take a look at the Bowl matchups if the standings remain as they are
2011 Rose Bowl: Michigan St Vs. TCU
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Currently, the No. 5 Spartans sit at 8-0 and appear to be the class of the Big Ten, at least so far. A 21-point fourth quarter allowed them to limp out of Northwestern with a win last week, and it wasn't pretty. For much of the game, MSU's defense looked lazy and uninterested, giving up 27 points to Northwestern.
If Sparty can get past Iowa next week, a Rose Bowl is not only a definite possibility, but at that point anything less would be a disappointment. The only potential slip up after Iowa would be a road game in Happy Valley, which could pose a problem.
But, MSU has avoided tragedy thus far and their luck continues to roll on with the comeback win over a surprisingly tough Northwestern team. They boast a very well balanced attack both rushing and passing the ball, and their defense is top 20.
They would be an interesting matchup for the Pac-10 champ, but the best Pac-10 team so far is No. 2, which means no Rose Bowl. With Stanford all the way down at 12, the Rose Bowl committee likely goes at-large, extending an invite to the TCU Horned Frogs.
Gary Patterson has put together quite a program down in Fort Worth, and the BCS is starting to take notice with this possible second straight bowl bid.
The Horned Frogs have the best scoring defense in the nation, giving up just nine points per game. They also have a dynamic rushing attack behind sophomore back Ed Wesley and a steady passing game with Andrey Dalton running the show.
This game would probably not see many points as both teams rely heavily on the defenses for support in big games. It's tough for both teams here because they showcase very similar styles of play, with TCU possibly being a bit more impressive. This would provide a close game with a lot of big defensive stops and the outcome likely stems from which O-line gets the better push up front.
2011 Sugar Bowl: Alabama Vs. Utah
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That's right, if the season ended today we would see a rematch of that startling 2009 Sugar Bowl upset when Utah took down Goliath in Alabama, and did it with relative ease.
It's safe to say this is a much better 'Bama team now that Nick Saban has a few years and a National Championship under his belt, but Utah has been very impressive so far as well.
Alabama, although ranked seventh in the latest polls, have had a few close scares this year. Their running duo of Trent Richardson and Heisman winner Mark Ingram is arguably the most talented in the nation. That will happen when you have a Heisman winner as your second leading rusher.
Rushing attack and all, Alabama has had some scares. The loss to South Carolina was an eye-opener. The defense looked confused by the looks Spurrier threw out and Greg McElroy hasn't exactly progressed over last year. Their main problem is, if they're down early, McElroy may not step up. It's always tough to run the ball when losing, so without a threatening pass attack, 'Bama can struggle to put up points.
No. 8 Utah has been one of the biggest surprises this year and are the second team out of the MWC to be ranked in the top 10. Prior to their big move to what will be the Pac-12 in 2011, Utah football is making a statement. They trot out the third-best scoring offense in the NCAA and the fourth-best scoring defense at just under 13 points a game surrendered.
Top 30 in both rushing and passing, Utah sports a perfect balance which allows for both quick scores and long drives. Their big game this year is against TCU, which likely means only one MWC team gets a BCS bid.
The matchup is an interesting one. If Alabama can run the ball, they could dominate. If not, this would be a really tough matchup for the Tide. Personally, I would love to see this matchup because I haven't seen much of the Utes and would love to see them try to step up and knock off the big dog.
2011 Fiesta Bowl: Boise St Vs. Missouri
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Boise St is back in the hunt for a BCS spot. That's old news. What's new? The Missouri Tigers have an undefeated record through just over half of the season and are sitting pretty for a possible Fiesta Bowl spot against the Broncos.
Missouri sits at 7-0 after taking down the previously No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in a big home game. Missouri always seems to have a fantastic passing game with a more than capable quarterback, which Blaine Gabbert certainly is.
The defense is the big story of 2010 for Mizzou, however. The Tigers relinquish just over 13 points per game and aren't intimidated by anyone on the other side of the ball.
Their win over Oklahoma solidified their place as one of this year's best teams so far. They need to avoid a letdown in Nebraska this weekend. If they do that, it could be smooth sailing until the Big 12 championship game,
What can I say about Boise that hasn't already been said. They are the perennial BCS busters, but they will never get a shot at a title coming out of the WAC. The move to the MWC may provide some help with the conference gaining credibility.
Their passing attack is phenomenal behind the fantastically accurate Kellen Moore. If you haven't seen him play yet, you're missing out.
Their rushing game, although rarely discussed, is also top 15 in the country. They sit second in defense, but then again look at the offenses they play. Boise has turned from the BCS Cinderella into a team we expect to see there every year, and this year looks no different.
If Mizzou does indeed get this far, I expect points. Both defenses are underrated, but each team's offense is just too good to not put up points. This could be the highest scoring of any projections so far and Boise always provides some fireworks,
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
2011 Orange Bowl: Florida St Vs. Pitt
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The is easily the most lackluster matchup of any projections so far. It may be the least exciting BCS game of all-time given there are no ranked BIg East teams, yet the conference winner earns and automatic BCS bid.
That rule likely means either excluding an up and coming BCS buster or a team like Oklahoma or Alabama, which could mean a lot of lost ratings.
Head Coach Jimbo Fisher has FSU back to being relevant in just his first year. The 'Noles sport a dangerous two-headed back attack, ranking 19th in the nation. Although it's true that QB Christian Ponder has underperformed, he still has the ability to make big plays both with his arm and his legs.
FSU gives up just over 16 points per game on average, good enough for 13th in the nation. The ACC is a bit down this year, but FSU does look like a very different team now from the one that got rolled by Oklahoma back in September.
Pitt, unfortunately yes, Pitt leads the Big East because, well someone has to. This is the ultimate down year for the Big East. There is not one great team. There isn't even one very good team. All the Big East teams appear mired in mediocrity and a year like this may not get rid of the BCS, but it very well could change the selection process.
The Panthers lead the Big East despite just a 4-3 record overall (2-0 in conference). They aren't higher that 42nd in any significant statistical category. When matched up with any other BCS team I have talked about so far, the Panthers get beat up, but an ACC team could fall to PItt.
Who knows? Maybe a great team emerges out of both conferences and put together an awesome bowl matchup. Right now, though, I would prefer not to think about any Big East team in a BCS game.
2011 National Championship: Auburn Vs. Oregon
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This is what I've been looking forward to. I really do not want to see either team lose just so we get to see Cameron Newton as well as Chip Kelly's Blur offense on the field for the same game.
First, Auburn comes off of a huge home win against sixth ranked LSU. Newton was outstanding. Although there is a strong case for Oregon running back LaMichael James, Newton is easily the Heisman frontrunner after the show he put on at home this past weekend.
The former Florida transfer ran for an astounding 217 yards and two TDs. LSU simply had no answer for Newton on the ground. While his passing numbers were a little less than desirable, he did not turn the ball over through the air.
Auburn's main issue is defensive consistency. Newton will have to keep them in the game by himself quite a few times if this team has any shot of going through the SEC unbeaten. Also, if Newton can be contained in the running game, Auburn's offense fails to exist. But, if Newton keeps up his best Vince Young impression, nothing is impossible.
Now to Oregon. The Ducks have been the most electrifying team in all of college football this season. With end arounds, zone reads, and tons of fourth down conversions, Chip Kelly coaches like he is playing a video game. It is very possible the dismissal of from QB Jeremiah Masoli made this team better with the insertion of Darron Thomas who has shown much better ability putting the ball in the air.
The Ducks rank first in scoring offense at over 55 points per game. There is not a defense in the country that can stifle the combo of LaMichael James and Darron Thomas on the ground as well as Thomas through the air. LaMichael is the nation's fifth leading rusher while missing the first game of the season.
The Ducks have a defense that bends without breaking. Yes, gave up a lot of yards to ASU and Stanford, but they feed off of mistakes and can turn you over on the drop of a hat.
This matchup is exciting to think about because of the number of points scored by both teams. Oregon lacks the athletes to keep up with Newton all game on D, and Auburn's defense cannot stop Chip Kelly's Blur. If everything stays as is, this National Title could be an all-time great.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
