BCS Standings 2011: Cinderella Stories We're Ready to Close the Book On

It's been fun watching the Cinderella stories unfold again this year. However, midnight is almost here, and it's time to get down to real business.

Sunday evening, the first BCS standings come out and the chase for the biggest bowls of the season gets real. Now is when we separate the men from the boys, so to speak.

It's always a good thing when the top teams are challenged by the underdogs. It's good for football to have some turnover among the ranks now and again.

However, it's not good for anybody if there are teams sitting among the rankings that don't really belong there. You know the ones—they put up impressive numbers and look very good until they come face-to-face with serious competition.

Let's name names and show faces.

No.21 Texas A&M

I'm not really sure that the term "Cinderella" fits A&M. After all, they did finish the 2010 season with a 9-4 record and entered this year as a respected challenger.

However, every week it seems we're talking about the Aggies. Up until their victory Saturday over No.20 Baylor, they hadn't beaten a ranked team. Yes, they stormed out to nice leads over Oklahoma State and Arkansas, but they couldn't hold onto those leads and ultimately dropped those games.

The Aggies had a solid win over a good Southern Methodist team to open the year, and have played tough against everyone. Yet, they don't have a true signature win on their resume.

Are they that good or aren't they?

They were the only team coming into the week with two losses in the Coaches' Poll. They were one of only two in the AP Poll. Meanwhile, there are teams with better records sitting outside of both polls.

Get it done or get on with it.

No.20 Baylor Bears

Speaking of Baylor...

I'm as impressed as anyone with what QB Robert Griffin III (RG3) has done. His numbers demand respect.

His team, on the other hand...not so much.

Baylor opened the season with a win over TCU, which looked awfully impressive at the time. Now we know that TCU isn't as good as they've been the last few years, so the luster is lost from that 50-48 shootout. Their defense is very beatable and that was what was so impressive about the win in the first place—how badly the Bears burned the Horned Frogs.

However, other than that win, Baylor has beaten Stephen F. Austin, Rice and Iowa State. In other words, nobody.

Their losses have come to Kansas State and Texas A&M—the only two ranked teams they've faced. Sure, they played awfully tough against K-State and both of those losses were on the road. However, K-State may not be quite as good as advertised and we've already discussed A&M.

It was a lot of fun thinking about them upsetting the Big 12 apple cart and shaking up the rankings. In truth, I'd have loved to have seen this team knock off K-State and upset A&M to set up a big showdown with Oklahoma State.

However, they couldn't get it done and now it's time to move on. This team has been exposed. As good as Griffin is, the rest of his supporting staff isn't capable of keeping this team in the top tier.

No. 25 Houston Cougars

Yes, I realize that Houston just now found their way into the AP Poll. Don't expect them to show up in the BCS Standings, though.

Nor should they be, in my opinion.

I've hated this argument in the past, but I find myself strongly compelled to use it here. I'm talking about the "Boise State Argument."

You know the one—yes, they're undefeated, but who have they played?

They barely got by UCLA to start the year and beat UTEP by just seven points. Those are arguably the most impressive wins on their record thus far. Defeating East Carolina 56-3 is impressive, but ECU was ultimately 1-5 after that game.

I recognize that the Cougars are 6-0, and that deserves a measure of respect. Top 25 respect though?

Call me if they beat SMU on November 19th.

Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons aren't ranked and are hardly Cinderella's. Still, coming into this week they were 4-1, on a four game winning streak and had just knocked off Florida State.

That was enough to grab at least consideration from both the AP and Coaches Polls.

Florida State aside however, their schedule is riddled with mediocre opponents. Do they deserve any consideration at all at this point?

I suppose having a win over a known opponent like Florida State deserves a little attention, and starting your season 4-1 is better than some teams already in the rankings.

Still, let's not get that excited here. The Deac's dropped to No. 19 Virginia Tech 38-17 and won't be sniffing at the BCS Standings.

So should it be.

And with that, the slipper has come off, the coach has turned to a pumpkin, and it's time to go home.

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