College Football: Ranking the Top Ten Two-Loss Teams

Who said college football doesn't have a playoff system? If you're a two-loss team, you'll find yourself in a single elimination playoff for a slim chance at getting to a BCS game at season's end.

Forget about the National Championship! In 2007, an 11-2 LSU team did get to and win the National Championship, but they won the SEC Championship that year and there were no undefeated candidates and a shortage of one-loss candidates.

With BCS busters proving they belong, and with one or two-loss teams coming out of strong conferences like the SEC, a two-loss team with an average schedule is a huge long shot to play in a BCS game. They may have a chance to play in a quality non-BCS game.

Here are the rankings of the two-loss teams after Week 4.

No. 10: UCLA Bruins 2-2

Off to a very disappointing start, with rumors of a coaching change being made if UCLA doesn't with eight or nine games, two weak wins (Oregon St. and San Diego St.) don't show that the Bruins are playing well.

Of their two losses: One was a bad loss to No. 17 Texas, and the other, a 38-34 loss to undefeated but un-ranked Houston.

No. 9: Fresno State Bulldogs 2-2

As usual, Fresno State has to deal with the East Coast bias. Not too many fans get to see their games on television.

After a five-point loss to a mediocre California team, the Pirates hung in with No. 8 Nebraska and trailed by two points early in the fourth quarter before the Cornhuskers broke the game open.

Fresno State has gone on to win their last two games against weak opponents.

No. 8: East Carolina Pirates 1-2

The Pirates were leading No. 9 South Carolina at the half, and they were tied with No. 10 virginia Tech in the fourth quarter, but went on to lose both of these games.

East Carolina will get a chance to make a statement when they host a strong North Carolina team next week.

No. 7: Miami Hurricanes 1-2

An opening loss to a weak Maryland team, which got beat 38-7 by Temple on Saturday, and a gut wrenching four-point loss to an undefeated but un-ranked Kansas St. showed the Hurricanes are not yet back.

A win over Ohio State, although they have fallen out of the rankings, is always impressive.

Unless this team gets better, the Nevin Shapiro scandal will continue to be the leading story.

No. 6: Pitt Panthers 2-2

After struggling with a weak Buffalo team and FCS Maine, the Panthers had their chances against Iowa and Notre Dame, but faded in the fourth quarter of both games.

At Iowa, they blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead, and against Notre Dame, they also held the lead late in the final minutes before Notre Dame scored the winning touchdwon.

No. 5: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2-2

In an opening home loss to No. 14 USF, and in a last minute loss to No. 19 Michigan, Notre Dame showed it wasn't exactly ready to insert themselves into the top 25.

With a good win over Michigan State and a fourth quarter comeback at Pitt, the Irish got on the winning track.

With way too many turnovers, and going 1-3 against the spread, the Irish have shown more inconsistency than expected.

No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs 2-2

Georgia suffered a bad opening loss to No. 5 Boise State, but was more competitive when they lost to No. 9 South Carollina in a back and forth 45-42 thriller.

The Bulldogs have rebounded with two wins since the South Carolina game. On Saturday, they beat Ole Miss 27-13. 

No. 3 Brigham Young Cougars

BYU had a bad loss to Utah and a tough 17-16 loss at No. 17 Texas.

The Cougars have a win over Ole Miss and a fourth quarter comeback win over UCF.

No. 2 Florida State Seminoles 2-2

The Seminoles routed Louisiana-Monroe 34-0 and Charleston Southern 62-10.

Their two losses came at the hands of No. 15 Clemson and No. 1 Oklahoma. 

Even though they lost their quarterback in the Oklahoma game, they were tied with the Sooners 13-13 in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma won 23-13.

At Clemson, the Seminoles lost 35-30.

No. 1 Missouri Tigers 2-2

Missouri has beaten Miami of Ohio 17-6 and Western Illinois 69-0.

In their second game, they lost in overtime to a strong Arizona State team. Arizona State beat USC 43-22 on Saturday.

Against Oklahoma, they were ahead at the half before losing 38-28.