BCS Standings: Bowl Projections and Predictions for the 1-Loss Teams
We're getting closer and closer to that time of year again college football fans. And the drama is higher than ever.
Brief history was also made when the BCS Standings were revealed on Sunday evening.
It was the first time in five years that the entire Top 10 did not change.
With that being said, there is still plenty that needs to be cleared up.
Nine one-loss teams still remain in terms of competing for a BCS Bowl-Bid (sorry Nevada).
Which means that the possibility of a one-loss team qualifying for the National Championship game still exists.
To begin the slideshow, we will start with the No. 12 ranked Michigan State Spartans and work our way down. As a bonus, a surprise team comes at the end of the slideshow. Get excited!
No. 12 Michigan State Spartans
1 of 9
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 9-1 (5-1)
Key Wins: Wisconsin, at Michigan, at Northwestern
The Spartans have been a bit tricky to understand even though they are tied atop the Big Ten. The loss to Iowa obviously didn't help. But it was the way in which they lost.
A 37-6 thwomping (Super Mario Brothers reference for all the old-school Nintendo gamers out there) at the hands of the Hawkeyes does not look good in the eyes of the BCS Selection Committee.
With all this being said, the Spartans need some help.
Whether its being the Big Ten representative or an "at-large" bid, Wisconsin and/or Ohio State must lose one more game. If all three finish 11-1, Michigan State will be the odd one out due to being ranked lower than the Badgers and Buckeyes.
Prediction: 11-1 (7-1) Big Ten Champions
Bowl Projection: Rose Bowl
No. 10 Oklahoma State Cowboys
2 of 9
Conference: Big XII
Record: 9-1 (5-1)
Key Wins: Texas A&M, at Kansas State, Baylor
Currently atop the Big XII South Division by one game. Patiently waiting down the line are the No. 14 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
College football history could be made for the Cowboys when they play at home versus Oklahoma on November 27th.
Why? Because Oklahoma State has yet to qualify for the Big XII Championship game since its inception in 1996.
Not to mention, by today's BCS standards, the Cowboys have not played in one of the major bowl games since 1974 (Won Fiesta Bowl 16-6 vs BYU).
Prediction: 11-2 (7-2) Big XII Runner-Up
Bowl Projection: Cotton Bowl
No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes
3 of 9
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 9-1 (5-1)
Key Wins: Miami, Penn State
Although to this point the Buckeyes have not won a "big" game, the final two weeks of the season can change some skepticism.
I'm not considering Miami a big win because of how unbelievably weak the ACC is, and Penn State has four losses. But both are bowl eligible, therefore they are "key" wins.
Now if Ohio State can finish the season 11-1, an invitation as an at-large bid into the BCS will happen.
Question is; When they travel to Iowa this week, can they overcome the pink visitor locker room (and yes this actually exists) at Kinnick Stadium and beat the No. 20 ranked Hawkeyes?
Prediction: 10-2 (6-2)
Bowl Projection: Capital One Bowl
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No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers
4 of 9
Conference: Big XII
Record: 9-1 (5-1)
Key Wins: at Kansas State, at Oklahoma State, Missouri
After returning back to the Big XII Championship game last season for only the second time since the turn of the century, Nebraska football is back.
After a 10-4 campaign last season, the Huskers are even more improved this year.
Currently ranked seventh in rush offense, and sixth in total defense, the Huskers play old school smash mouth football.
Look for the Huskers to be in the Big XII (if not the National Title) mix in the foreseeable future. Therefore I repeat, Nebraska football is back
Prediction: 12-1 (8-1) Big XII Champions
Bowl Projection: Fiesta Bowl
No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers
5 of 9
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 9-1 (5-1)
Key Wins: Ohio State, at Iowa
Through 10 games the Badgers have set themselves up nicely for a BCS Bowl-Bid.
Regardless if its an at-large bid, or if the chips fall their way (and they win the Big Ten outright), Wisconsin could finish in the Top Five.
Also with their two remaining games, at Michigan and home versus Northwestern (both 7-3 heading into this week), the Badgers may have an outside shot at the National Championship if they get some help.
If Wisconsin manages to finish 11-1, that will give them four key wins on the year. In doing so could propel them into the Top Five prior to the start of the bowl season.
Prediction: 11-1 Big Ten Runner-Up
Bowl Projection: Orange Bowl
No. 6 Stanford Cardinal
6 of 9
Conference: Pac-10
Record: 9-1 (6-1)
Key Wins: USC, Arizona
Its been a decade since Stanford last made an appearance in the Rose Bowl.
And although they have been overshadowed in the Pac-10 by the dominance of Oregon, the Cardinal still has a BCS Bowl-Bid in sight.
Coach Jim Harbaugh has built a program for success, and has improved every year since he was hired back in 2007.
Much improved from an 8-5 record in 2009, Stanford has an opportunity this year to be the best team in school history since 1926 (only national title).
Fear not Cardinal fans, because although I sense an upset from California this week, Stanford will still represent the Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl.
Prediction: 10-2 (7-2) Pac-10 Runner-Up
Bowl Projection: Rose Bowl
No. 5 LSU Tigers
7 of 9
Conference: SEC
Record: 9-1 (5-1)
Key Wins: North Carolina, Mississippi State, West Virginia, at Florida, Alabama
Easily the front-runner for all the one-loss schools looking to capitalize if any of the four unbeatens slip up.
All you have to do is look at their schedule, and you'll see how difficult 2010 has been.
Seven teams of the 12 are bowl eligible, and two still remain bowl eligible.
And there is still an outside shot at the National Championship if Alabama pulls off the upset on Black Friday (Day after Thanksgiving) over Auburn.
LSU could jump Auburn if Bama' wins. But if not, the Auburn Tigers still must play in the SEC Title game. If they slip-up again, and assuming LSU finishes 11-1, Les Miles may once again have qualified for the BCS National Championship.
Prediction: 11-1
Bowl Projection: Cotton Bowl
No. 2 Auburn Tigers
8 of 9
Conference: SEC
Record: 11-0 (7-0)
Key Wins: at Mississippi State, South Carolina, at Kentucky, Arkansas, LSU
I know Auburn is unbeaten, but my telekinesis into the future is telling me they will be upset by the rival Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl.
No I lied, I don't have telekinesis powers (but it would be sweet).
But I do feel that the Tigers will be upset since Nick Saban has two weeks to prepare.
Yes I am aware that Auburn has two weeks as well, but as of recent the Tigers have not been in a game of this magnitude since they went 13-0 in 2004.
Now most Auburn fans and critics are probably saying, "Dude, you know Auburn beat LSU this year right?"
Yes I am aware of that as well, except that game was at home, and LSU is not nearly as big of a rival as Alabama. Not to mention LSU had the ball bounce their way a few times prior to playing Auburn.
The big reason is that this game is AT Alabama. Going into Tuscaloosa undefeated against the defending National Champions will be a challenge like no other.
Prediction: 12-1 (8-1) SEC Champions
Bowl Game: Sugar Bowl
Summary
9 of 9
No. 12 Michigan State Spartans: 11-1 Big Ten Champions Rose Bowl
No. 10 Oklahoma State Cowboys: 11-2 Big XII Runner-Up Cotton Bowl
No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes: 10-2 Capital One Bowl
No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers: 12-1 Big XII Champions Fiesta Bowl
No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers: 11-1 Big Ten Runner-Up Orange Bowl
No. 6 Stanford Cardinal: 10-2 Pac-10 Runner-Up Rose Bowl
No. 5 LSU Tigers: 11-1 Cotton Bowl
No. 2 Auburn Tigers: 12-1 SEC Champions Sugar Bowl
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
