BCS Standings: Which One-Loss Team Has Best Chance to Play for BCS Championship?

In seven of the 13 seasons in the BCS era, at least one team team with a loss has played for the national title. With only four remaining BCS-conference unbeatens, two of which will play next Saturday night, it's very possible for a one-loss team to climb into the top two of the BCS standings by Dec. 4.

Reaching the BCS title game as a one-loss team requires a quality schedule, convincing victories and of course, a bit of luck. Don't expect to see Michigan, Penn State or Virginia Tech on this list. Their schedules are weak, and their victories have been less than impressive.

As we head into November, eight one-loss teams are still in the mix for the BCS title. Most are extreme long-shots, but anyone who witnessed the events of 2007 knows to not write teams off too soon.

Arkansas

The Razorbacks barely stayed in SEC and national title contention after a narrow escape at Vanderbilt.  Alabama can squelch the Razorbacks' hopes next week with a win over LSU. However, if the Tigers win, Arkansas could sneak into the SEC Championship Game with a win in Baton Rouge the day after Thanksgiving if tiebreakers break their way.

A one-loss SEC champion is never out of the picture. Until the Hogs either lose again or are knocked out of the SEC West race, they should not be forgotten.

Clemson

It's Clemson, so you knew it was going to happen eventually. Saturday night, the Tigers were upset by Georgia Tech in Atlanta, knocking them from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Clemson has a quality schedule with Auburn and South Carolina outside of the ACC, and the ACC Championship Game would allow them to either have two wins over Virginia Tech on their resume or avenge the loss to the Yellow Jackets. Dabo Swinney's team has a lot of ground to make up, but there's plenty of time left.

Kansas State

The Wildcats were humbled at home by Oklahoma, but still could find their way to the top of the Big 12, which is arguably the toughest conference in college football.  They face another stern test next week at Oklahoma State.

KSU would need to win out and have Oklahoma lose again to win the Big 12, so the odds are not in Bill Snyder's favor. They also weren't in his favor when he took over the worst major conference program in the late 1980's and led them to the brink of a national title a decade later.

Nebraska

The Big Ten is suffering through one of its worst seasons in recent memory, and Nebraska is the only team left with any hopes of getting to New Orleans. They have the toughest schedule in the conference, and may get a chance to avenge their only loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Having to face Penn State and Michigan on the road in the next three weeks, the spotlight will be on the Cornhuskers. Their computer numbers should continue to rise, and the name Nebraska itself may help them in the polls.

Oklahoma

Two weeks ago, it was assumed Oklahoma's Bedlam game at Oklahoma State would be a de facto national semifinal. Even after the Sooners were stunned at home by Texas Tech, it still might be.

The computers will love Oklahoma with their schedule strength, and they'll get the final chance to impress voters in Stillwater on the season's final night. They are the clubhouse leader of the one-loss bunch right now, with a number of big games left, and no head-to-head losses to other contenders, like the next team on our list.

Oregon

Oregon seemingly is in the best position of the one-loss teams. Their loss came early in the season, away from home, and to a very good opponent. The problem is that opponent, LSU, could either be the potential foe in the BCS Championship Game or be the team Oregon would have to jump to get to the No. 2 spot. Neither scenario is favorable to the Ducks.

Like Oklahoma, Oregon will get a chance for a marquee road win when they go to Stanford in two weeks.  They also play USC, but will not face another national title contender on the last weekend of the season like the Sooners will. 

South Carolina

Like Arkansas, South Carolina still has a chance to finish 12-1 and win the SEC title. The last three SEC champions to finish 12-1 have played for the national title.

Without Marcus Lattimore and Stephen Garcia, the Gamecocks have been written off by most as a title contender. Their hopes may go up in smoke in Fayetteville next Saturday, but for the time being, don't count out Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks.

The Alabama/LSU Loser

Sure to be a subject of great debate over the next few weeks is where the loser of next week's tussle in Tuscaloosa should be ranked. A lot will depend on the how the game plays out, as a narrow win by Alabama would most strengthen the platform for a rematch.

Are Alabama and LSU the two best teams in the country? Probably. Is it fair for the winner to have to beat the other twice? Probably not. If the loser goes 11-1, they will likely have the best resume of any one-loss team. Whether that's enough to force a second Alabama-LSU game is the million dollar question.