The BCS Rankings: The New Kids Are Beating Out Traditional Powers

Here are five thoughts about the 2010 season after Week 8. 

First, history is nice, but it should not sway the outcome of the season.  Much to their chagrin, the traditional powers are taking a backseat this season.  Despite their displeasure, there is not much they can do about it.

Michigan State and Missouri are that good.  So are Boise, TCU and Utah. Stop complaining and get used to it. 

With the resources and coaching advantages at Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Texas and Oklahoma, the benchmark should be undefeated or bust.  If you lose, going to the back of the line is appropriate consequence. 

Second, after losing to Navy for the third time in four seasons, Notre Dame is officially irrelevant to college football. 

Blame the coaching, blame the standards or blame the players, it really does not matter. 

The real problem is the ego built in the past lingers today, and the institution fails to accept the changes that are necessary to compete in the modern era. 

Third, the Big East automatic qualifier status needs to be re-evaluated.  This argument has been out there since the ACC robbed the conference of its strongest football powers, but the BCS needs to take it seriously now.

The best team in the Big East might be Pitt, who has already lost to Notre Dame, Miami and Utah.  A slot should no longer be awarded for mediocrity when much better teams deserve a shot. 

Fourth, the potential is extremely high that we will have the best non-BCS bowl season in a long time. 

Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Nebraska all might be shut out this year, sending them down into the middle-tier bowls. 

January 1 might actually be enjoyable again. 

Fifth, is anyone surprised that Big Game Bob got stumped again?  Going back to the 2003 Big 12 title game loss to Kansas State, Bob Stoops has yet to win a game of great magnitude. 

Good thing he has not lost the arrogant chip he’s been carrying around since 2000.