My B/R Top 25 (Nov. 30)

1. Alabama (previous: 1) 12-0; beat Auburn 36-0

It would be so much easier if there were another team that was 12-0. Wait...strike that.

It would be so much easier if there were another team from a “major” (!) conference that was 12-0. Such is the Broken Championship System. The college football equivalent of Gorbachev’s perestroika, the BCS is doomed to fail by opening up the possibility for change.

Yes, my frie...uh, comrades...there have been reforms, and the “planners” have been tinkering with the machinery here and there, but the consciences of the fans have been awakened that there is an alternative.

The days of the BCS are numbered, much as the former Soviet Union began to crack, and then collapsed (after a failed attempt at turning the clock back).

Oh yeah: Alabama faces No. T-2 Florida for the SEC title in Atlanta on Dec. 6.

T-2. Oklahoma (previous: T-2) 11-1; beat No. 13 Oklahoma State 61-41

Of the three teams I had tied at T-2, the Sooners faced the toughest opponent. Despite a scrappy Oklahoma State team keeping the game close through more than three quarters, and the fact that Oklahoma was behind in a game for the first time since they played Texas, the Sooners put the game away late, and staked their claim on the field for a place in the Big XII title game.

Now, it remains for the BCS voters and computers to do the Big XII’s work for it. Nice alibi if you can justify it: “It’s not our fault!” say the Big XII administrators, “Blame the BCS rankings!”

For the purposes of this poll (which doesn’t allow ties), I am putting Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida in that order (Nos. 2, 3, and 4).

T-2. Texas (previous: T-2) 11-1; beat Texas A&M 49-9

Texas did as expected. So did Oklahoma and Texas Tech. The three-way tie remains, and the Big XII university presidents are idiots for using the BCS rankings as a conference tiebreaker.

In my own personal system, there are four teams deserving of being in a four-team playoff, and they’re ranked No. 1 and T-2.

Most of the fans reading this will agree that the two most deserving teams for the Big XII championship game are Oklahoma and Texas. This is one reason why I abhor divisions and incomplete conference schedules.

Unfortunately, neither the BCS nor the conferences are interested in putting the best teams in a playoff, let alone a one-off title game, whether at conference or national level. Them’s the facts.

T-2. Florida (previous: T-2) 11-1; beat No. 24 Florida State 45-15

Tebow & Co. finessed their way through a light sprinkle and a slightly moistened field in Tallahassee on their way to the SEC championship game. Tebow remains in the hunt for a second Heisman, but I bet he’d take a national title instead if he could only have one or the other this year (note: I'm not assuming he won't have a shot at both again next year, if he stays).

5. Utah (previous: 5) 12-0; no game, regular season completed

6. USC (previous: 7) 10-1; beat Notre Dame 38-3

Does the “mercy” rule kick in at a 40-point margin of victory? And for that matter, why would the Trojans adhere to such a rule? Because this is the second year the Trojans have put up 38 against the Fighting Irish. The difference being, this year Notre Dame scored...

USC remains outside of the title picture, with only an upset of the Big XII South champion by Big XII North champion Missouri this weekend really allowing them a slim chance at leaping both Oklahoma and Texas.

They regain their place ahead of Penn State by virtue of...catching up in their schedule. One game remains, @ rival UCLA this weekend, and barring a loss there, the Trojans will be facing Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

7. Penn State (previous: 6) 11-1; no game, regular season completed

8. Texas Tech (previous: 8) 11-1; beat Baylor 35-28

Almost lost to Baylor. The key word being “almost.” The Red Raiders hang on to their spot at No. 8. I don’t think they’ll make it to a BCS bowl. Therefore, I’d like to see them face off against Boise State in the “shootout of the year”...and that’s saying something, seeing what we’ve seen this season.

Perhaps instead of the OK Corral, they could meet at the Outback Steakhouse? The over/under should be 139 on that one!

9. Boise State (previous: 9) 12-0; beat Fresno State 61-10

The Broncos still have a slim chance of making a surprise appearance as the second “mid-major” from a non-BCS conference (in addition to Utah). It looks like it will come down to a choice between them and No. 10 Ohio State, and any BCS bowl would be tempted to take the Buckeyes. Expect much grumbling in Boise.

10. Ohio State (previous: 10) 10-2; no game, regular season completed

11. Cincinnati (previous: 16) 10-2; beat Syracuse 30-10

Win the games you’re supposed to, hang tough in the others, and spring an upset or two along the way. Doesn’t seem too hard, but most teams can’t do it. Arguably—given their record since—the loss to Connecticut is the only game the Bearcats need to feel bad about (losing @ Oklahoma by less than Texas Tech did can be seen as a moral victory).

12. TCU (previous: 14) 10-2; no game, regular season completed

13. Ball State (previous: 15) 12-0; beat Western Michigan 45-22

BCS material? No. Eight-team playoff material? Nope. Sixteen-team playoff material? Yes, which is why there probably will not be a 16-team playoff. The “major” conferences wouldn’t tolerate letting the “mid-majors” play with them and want to keep the sandbox small (preferably for two)…

14. BYU (previous: 18) 10-2; no game, regular season completed

15. Missouri (previous: 11) 9-3; lost to Kansas 37-40

Missouri should have put the game away but was ineffective in keeping the Jayhawks offense and special teams contained. Letting the Fighting Manginos hang around until the end of the game meant trouble. The weather didn’t help, but should be no excuse; after all, Missouri will play the Big XII South champion in Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 6.

16. Oklahoma State (previous: 13) 9-3; lost to No. T-2 Oklahoma 41-61

Credit the Cowboys for hanging in the game almost until the very end; the game was closer than the final score indicated. But daring Oklahoma to beat you with its passing game can get you burned...

17. Georgia (previous: 12) 9-3; lost to No. 22 Georgia Tech 42-45

Georgia’s season was already disappointing before the loss to rival Georgia Tech. Now it’s worse. The ‘Dawgs were favored to win the SEC, if not the national title, and they haven’t met those expectations. Coach Richt will have to motivate his players to make sure they approach their bowl game seriously, or another unpleasant surprise awaits.

18. Georgia Tech (previous: 22) 9-3; beat No. 12 Georgia 45-42

Georgia Tech makes a jump up the ranking due to a road win in Athens. Not that it hasn’t been done before; it’s that the Yellow Jackets came ready to fight until the last play. However, the Ramblin’ Wreck misses out on an ACC title game berth (and a shot at a BCS bowl) due to a 5-3 conference record (including a loss to No. 24 Virginia Tech).

19. Mississippi (previous: 21) 8-4; beat Mississippi State 45-0

The Rebels finish with a more solid season than LSU, including a head-to-head victory. Don’t forget that road win in Gainesville, either. That’s an accomplishment in any year.

20. Oregon (previous: 25) 9-3; beat No. 17 Oregon State 65-38

Um... most of the metaphors I could use to summarize this game would be rather raunchy. So I’ll leave them to your imagination. I bet you’re smiling already.

21. Michigan State (previous: 19) 9-3; no game, regular season completed

22. Northwestern (previous: 20) 9-3; no game, regular season completed

23. Boston College (previous: 23) 9-3; beat Maryland 28-21

The Eagles finished with the same conference record as Florida State, but by virtue of their win over the Seminoles on Nov. 15, Boston College wins the ACC Atlantic division and a trip to Tampa for the ACC title game vs. No. 24 Virginia Tech. Winner gets a BCS bowl berth…

24. Virginia Tech (previous: NR) 8-4; beat Virginia 17-14

Wins the ACC Coastal division due to an early-season win over Georgia Tech, even though Georgia Tech has a better overall record. For the second straight year, the Hokies have a chance to avenge a loss to Boston College in the ACC title game; question is, if they win, can they beat their Orange Bowl opponent?

25. Oregon State (previous: 17) 8-4; lost to No. 25 Oregon 38-65

Heartbreak. All the Beavers had to do to lock in a trip to the Rose Bowl (and a double-BCS payout for the Pac-10) was win. No dice, no roses.

 
Dropped out: No. 24 Florida State (8-4)