BCS Rankings Week 12: Would Oregon, Auburn Meet If Current Top 16 Had Playoff?
Imagine the possibilities.
Take the top 16 teams in this week's BCS rankings, seed them up, use the current bowl structure and have them go at it until there's a legitimate national champion.
It could be done, but for now all we can do is imagine and debate. From east to west, college football is a part of this country's culture, but fans may never see an actual playoff. Instead, they're forced to hear the same tired lines being pedaled by college presidents, athletic directors and conference commissioners, who will say the athletes' academic pursuits would be endangered.
At the same time, BCS executives live in a constant state of denial, proclaiming that the structure in place works.
Sure it does.
For now, let's temper the rage and frustration and consider a playoff. Could No. 1 Oregon run the table? How about TCU and Boise State getting to face powerhouses? What upsets could happen?
Let's begin, starting with first round games and work all the way to the end.
Round 1, (1) Oregon Vs. (16) Virginia Tech
1 of 15
The Hokies hang with the Ducks for a half, but Oregon wears them down and pulls away for a 42-28 victory. Virginia Tech has played three teams ranked in the AP poll this year, and averaged just over 251 total yards in those contests. That won't cut it against the Ducks.
Round 1, (2) Auburn Vs. (15) Missouri
2 of 15
Missouri showed it can play with anyone but the Tigers have been too inconsistent, and that's the case again as Auburn's defense shuts down Blaine Gabbert in a 35-10 victory.
Auburn has held opponents to under 25 points per game, and has seven players who currently have over 40 tackles. One of them, Nick Fairley (47 tackles), has 18 tackles for a loss of 75 yards, along with 18 quarterback hurries.
Round 1, (3) TCU Vs. (14) Oklahoma
3 of 15
The last time these two teams played in Norman, Oklahoma players said TCU was the toughest opponent they played all year.
And that won't change here as the Horned Frogs pull off an impressive 35-14 victory. The Sooners have shown flashes of brilliance this year, but struggled tremendously in losses to Missouri and Texas A&M.
Neither quite measures up to a TCU team that prides itself on its defense, but also is averaging over 41 points and 490 total yards per game.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Round 1, (4) Boise State Vs. (13) Arkansas
4 of 15
Admit it: You think the Broncos would have their hands full against an SEC team, right?
Not in this case.
Boise State rolls up the Razorbacks 49-21 and puts this one away by halftime. The Broncos' defense has allowed just over 12 points per game this season, second best in the nation, and hasn't really been tested since its season opener against Virginia Tech.
Round 1, (5) LSU Vs. (12) Michigan State
5 of 15
Tigers coach Les Miles chews on grass the entire game to calm his nerves, and LSU fans watch their team pull out a miraculous 28-26 victory with one second left on the clock.
This game offers plenty of entertainment, as LSU's talented defense gets tested by Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins, who's thrown for 2,277 yards this season.
Round 1, (8) Nebraska Vs. (9) Ohio State
6 of 15
Two of the nation's best dual threat quarterbacks, Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State and Nebraska's Taylor Martinez, put on a show but the Buckeyes prevail 31-28.
The Cornhuskers have regained respect under coach Bo Pelini but have also been inconsistent. The same team that scored a combined 82 points against Oklahoma State and Missouri also had a head-scratching loss to Texas and a 31-30 overtime victory over Iowa State.
Round 1, (7) Wisconsin Vs. (10) Oklahoma State
7 of 15
The Badgers hang with the Cowboys, but Oklahoma State's talented offense is the difference in a hard fought 34-31 victory.
Wisconsin's defense is allowing just over 19 points per game and held Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor to 156 yards and one interception in their 31-18 victory on Oct. 16. The Cowboys, however, counter with Kendall Hunter, who has rushed for 1,356 yards and 16 touchdowns and is considered one of the Big 12's best running backs.
Round 1, (6) Stanford Vs. (11) Alabama
8 of 15
Jim Harbaugh and the Cardinal keep it close, but a late touchdown gives Alabama a 24-17 victory.
Alabama's Nick Saban has always had great defensive teams, and the Tide have continued that reputation, holding opponents to just over 13 points per game and putting constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Alabama's defense has 16 sacks for 95 yards this season along with 17 interceptions.
Round 2, (1) Oregon Vs. (3) TCU
9 of 15
The mighty will fall, and it begins here, as TCU's defense shuts down the Ducks in a 16-10 victory.
In eight of their 11 wins this year, TCU held opponents to 10 points or less. In a 45-10 win over Baylor, TCU held quarterback Robert Griffin to 164 yards passing and one touchdown, and also sacked him three times.
Round 2, (4) Boise State Vs. (2) Auburn
10 of 15
The Broncos and Tigers put on a show, but Auburn comes back for a 17-14 victory.
Boise State contains Auburn's Cam Newton, but the profilic quarterback still finishes with 220 total yards and a touchdown.
Round 2, (5) LSU Vs. (10) Oklahoma State
11 of 15
It's reunion time as Les Miles faces off against his former team.
The hype doesn't match the outcome, though, as the Tigers' defense shuts down the Cowboys and LSU wins 21-10.
LSU's defense has allowed just under 274 total yards per game and is stacked with play-makers, including cornerback Patrick Peterson who has returned three interceptions for 131 yards this season.
Round 2, (11) Alabama Vs. (9) Ohio State
12 of 15
The Crimson Tide watches its lead slip away in the fourth quarter as Terrelle Pryor leads the Buckeyes to 28-21 victory.
Pryor has had another strong season already, with 2,648 total yards and 26 total touchdowns. In seven of their 10 games, Pryor has thrown for over 200 yards and also has completed over 50 percent of his passes nine times.
Semifinals, (3) TCU Vs. (5) LSU
13 of 15
Two extremely talented defenses don't give an inch and hammer away at each other through three quarters, but TCU coach Gary Patterson goes "Mad Hatter" and pulls off a trick play for a dramatic 13-7 victory.
LSU's offense has struggled but seemed to find life when it went with rotating quarterbacks Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. That won't be enough against the Horned Frogs.
Semifinals, (9) Ohio State Vs. (2) Auburn
14 of 15
Anyone care to see Terrelle Pryor and Cam Newton face off?
The two put on a show and have video game numbers, but the Tigers put the pedal down and cruise to 48-31 victory. Auburn averages 505 total yards and is fourth in the nation with just under 308 yards rushing per game.
National Championship, (3) TCU Vs. (2) Auburn
15 of 15
It has storylines galore.
The great offense against a great defense. SEC versus the Mountain West. Both undefeated teams, both teams in the top five all year. That's just for starters...
But in the end, it's TCU that pulls out a dramatic 56-45 victory over the Tigers to win the National Championship.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
