What Do BCS Outsiders Have to Accomplish to Get In?

Let's start out with what we know: If Alabama/LSU and Oklahoma/Oklahoma State go undefeated, they will play each other in the BCS Championship. End of story. It's not, however, an absolute that any of those teams will achieve a perfect season. Especially in the mighty SEC, it will absolutely be a chore. Not only do they have to finish a perfect regular season, but there's also a championship game. 

So what if even one of those teams slips up? There will most likely be a host of teams waiting to take their place. Each has their own road to hoe. Some are more difficult than others and some seem downright easy (Boise State).

Boise State

Boise State must hate everybody, but they have the dubious distinction of having the simplest and toughest road at the same time. 

The Broncos have the easiest schedule, especially with weaker versions of both Nevada and TCU this year. Their non-conference match-ups with BCS teams are already gone and done. Sure, the rest of their schedule should just be a matter of playing the games.

The biggest dilemma is that they'll have to run up 70+ points on every team they face, maybe even tougher teams like TCU, to get the voters to notice just how powerful they are. Every game from here on out will do nothing to enhance their strength-of-schedule. 

Let the Tecmo Bowl scores begin!

Clemson

Okay, I'll say it: There's something special brewing in Clemson, South Carolina.

The Tigers have been a perennial juggernaut of disappointment, until this year, so far. I still don't think they can run the table. They have the pieces, the have the coach, they overcame adversity and an 18-point deficit to beat Maryland.

We'll see. Their conference is doing them no favors. Any team from the Coastal Division will have at least one loss. They really have to hope that Virginia Tech can emerge with their single defeat. We'll find out if that's possible November 10th when the Hokies play Georgia Tech. It's somewhat crazy that so much of what the Tigers need hinges on others.

The Tigers remaining schedule isn't awful, but they do have to play Georgie Tech, and suddenly their rivalry game against South Carolina looms large in the final weekend of the season.

Stanford

Stanford really has to take care of its business before championship week. Especially if the Cardinal wins out, the Pac-12 South will send a team with at least two losses to the championship game.

The Cardinal will get a huge boost from the match-up against Oregon. Although they have 25th ranked Washington this week, the Ducks present the most potential for computer as well as voter points. They also have primetime games the next two Saturdays with the second against USC, which will get a huge audience.

Another advantage will be a national audience against Notre Dame in the final week of the season. Even if the Irish collapse between now and that week, the Cardinal still has a chance to run up a big score in front of a national audience.

Wisconsin

Lets face it, as amazing as Wisconsin has looked, they've yet to face a formidable opponent. That's why they're on the outside looking in.

The Badgers will get tested this week. They get Michigan State. The one thing that really plays in their favor is that Sparty may experience a major letdown after beating Michigan for the 4th year in a row. If Wisconsin get past them it gets easier.

There is a gap until the Badgers play Illinois, who still hasn't proven they're a contender, and Penn State, who has a championship defense combined with a peewee offense due to the lack of a big league quarterback.

They really have to hope that either Michigan or Nebraska can run the table to create a showdown with a one-loss team in Indianapolis.

Kansas State

Seriously? Bill Snyder? I didn't see this coming. But honestly, no coach means more to a program than Bill Snyder, and Kansas State is showing why. 

The Wildcats have lowly Kansas this week and Iowa State to finish the season. Between those two games they have Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Texas. Phew! I think that can be compared to "Murderer's Row."

It's great the Wildcats are having a renaissance under Snyder, but that schedule just isn't right. I know they're undefeated right now, but if they manage to win two of those four games it would have to be considered an accomplishment.

I just don't see the Wildcats emerging, although they're a great college football story for the first half.