BCS Standings Week 9: 5 Teams That Deserve More Respect
The BCS Standings are the one of the most controversial and talked about aspects of college football.
Every year people lose their heads ranting and raving about what teams are being snubbed from BCS bowls and what teams are being handed championship opportunities based on who they play not where they are ranked in the AP or USA Today polls.
They yell and groan about how the two truly best teams aren't put on the field sometimes and that a computer shouldn't be determining who makes the title game. Teams like TCU and Boise St. have been finding it virtually impossible to make a BCS National Championship because of strength of schedule, even if they finish undefeated for the year.
But I am not here to agree or disagree with the BCS and how it comes about deciding the rankings. Though I will talk about what five teams in the NCAA deserve a little more respect and attention for the rest of this season, no matter their rank.
5. Missouri Tigers
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Missouri shocked a lot of people when they handled #1 Oklahoma last week to remain undefeated.
Blaine Gabbert powers a very balanced offense that has very talented players at the skill positions. De'Vion Moore and freshman Henry Josey both have 50 carries and four touchdowns and have complemented each other nicely throughout the season—Josey is averaging 6.4 ypc and Moore 5.5 ypc.
They played bad against San Diego State earlier in the season, but they have been dominant since then and haven't looked back.
This week, the Tigers visit 14th ranked Nebraska which will say a lot about how good they really are, but with that offense and a defense that ranks fifth in the nation in points allowed per game, I like their chances to win the game and eventually claim the Big 12 crown.
Mizzou is ranked sixth in the BCS polls, a big jump from 11 last week, but I still think they ought to be given some more respect. I feel like this team has potential to beat anyone and if they do end up winning the Big 12 while going undefeated, they may have a chance to play in the title game if some teams lose in front of them.
4. Wisconsin Badgers
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I will be the first one to admit I didn't see their win against Ohio State coming. I thought that it was going to be a great Big 10 battle with Ohio State overpowering Wisconsin as the game progressed.
I was wrong, but after that great win at Iowa, I'm hopping on the bandwagon. I love the smash you in the mouth mentality Wisconsin has and with John Clay and James White combining for over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns already, they can wear down any defense.
Scott Tolzien is a game manager who knows this offense and spreads the ball around nicely. He has been very efficient this season, completing 71.8 percent of his passes and hasn't turned it over much, throwing only four interceptions.
When a team has a stout defense, a lethal rushing attack, an efficient quarterback and limits their turnovers, they are extremely hard to beat. Wisconsin has played their way into my heart and I believe they are a lot better than people give them credit for.
3. Oregon Ducks
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I know what you're thinking.
How can a team that is ranked second in the BCS be getting no respect?
Its because they should be ranked number one! I know Auburn beat LSU and that was a "big win" while Oregon just ran over another inferior opponent, but how does the number four team leapfrog the number two when the first team loses?
Auburn is a good team and I really love the way Cam Newton plays the quarterback position, but I don't think LSU is as good as their ranking was.
Chip Kelly's crew was ranked second and remained undefeated, not to mention they have run through their competition and are ranked first in the AP and USA Today Polls. They deserve that number one spot.
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2. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Ohio State bounced back in a big way against Purdue last week, beating the Boilermakers 49-0 in what I would call a statement game.
Pryor looked great and the defense was on point. Wisconsin being underrated has hurt the Buckeyes BCS ranking, as they sit in the 11th slot. Not playing Michigan State could keep them out of the top 10, but Ohio State is a great team who had a bad game away from home. I think by seasons end when teams show their true colors, OSU will rise back to the top five.
They still have Iowa and Michigan left on the schedule, and if they can win both convincingly, look for them to be knocking on the door in the coming weeks.
1. TCU Horned Frogs
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This is a team that is constantly overlooked because of their weaker conference. The strength of schedule isn't quite there, but TCU pummels it's opponents in every facet of the game.
QB Andy Dalton, WR Jeremy Kurley and RB Ed Wesley are as good as it gets at their respective positions and i think they are capable of winning a National Championship if they get the chance through the rankings system.
On top of that offense, the Horned Frogs are ranked first in points allowed per game, only giving up an average of nine points per contest. The defense has surrendered more than 10 points only twice this year and has two shutouts to their names.
If TCU can remain undefeated, it could be hard to keep them out of the title game if Auburn falls to Alabama or in the SEC title game or Oregon slips up.
Comments Please
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Phil Lombardo is a Bleacher Report writing intern and a senior journalism/mass communications major at St. Bonaventure University.
Any comments would be much appreciated! Become a fan by going to his B/R page and be on the lookout for many more articles to come! Also, Follow Me on Twitter at ThePhilLombardo, thanks!
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