Which teams are in the hunt for a BCS game, and what do they have to do to get in? Richard Cirminiello breaks it all down for all the teams still alive.
Seeking A Yes From The BCS
A weekly look at
those teams with a realistic shot at this year’s five BCS bowl games
Ballin’ for N’Awlins The front-runner(s)
to play in the National Championship game
Missouri (11-1, 7-1) – It was fitting that the Tigers sealed
their pivotal win over Kansas on a safety from linemen Stryker Sulak and
Lorenzo Williams. The defense, along with unflappable QB Chase Daniel,
was the story all night, holding the high-powered Jayhawks scoreless for
the first 37 minutes, allowing the offense to build a 21-point cushion.
A lock for the National Championship game with one more win, Missouri
must avenge an Oct. 13 loss to Oklahoma to win the Big 12 and punch a
ticket to New Orleans.
West Virginia (10-1, 5-1) – With a Big East title already in the
vault, the Mountaineers are thinking of a much bigger prize, namely a
spot in the National Championship game. West Virginia put on a clinic
Saturday, destroying a Connecticut team, 66-21, that hadn’t allowed more
than 27 points in a game all season. The ‘eers have one more
opportunity to impress the voting masses, a visit from 4-7 Pittsburgh in
the Backyard Brawl.
Still
Thinking Big (Easy) The top
contenders for the National Championship game
Ohio State (11-1, 7-1) – For a change, finishing the season early
may be benefiting a team from the Big Ten. As the Buckeyes await their
destiny from the clubhouse, teams ahead of them, such as Oklahoma and
LSU, are falling out of the national title chase. With just one more
break, a Missouri or West Virginia loss, and Ohio State will bowl in New
Orleans, an improbable suggestion only a couple of weeks ago.
Start
Making Travel Plans Schools
that have locked down a BCS bowl bid
Ohio State (11-1, 7-1) – See above
West Virginia (10-1, 5-1) – See above
Georgia (10-2, 6-2) – While nothing is official, you can bet
on the Bulldogs getting the SEC’s second bid alongside this week’s
winner of the LSU-Tennessee game in Atlanta. Georgia is one of the
nation’s hottest teams, winning six straight to close out the regular
season, including five versus teams that’ll go bowling. Of course the
Dawgs would’ve liked a chance at an SEC crown, but they’ll wind up
benefiting by standing pat and not having to play another game.
Win Out,
and You’re In Schools
that control their own destiny
USC (9-2, 6-2) – Four John David Booty touchdown passes plus four Lawrence
Jackson sacks means the Trojans are now one win away from a sixth
straight Pac-10 championship, a miraculous turnaround for a program that
looked headed for the Holiday Bowl a few weeks ago. USC’s Thanksgiving
ambush of Arizona State coupled with another Oregon loss put Troy in a
position to use rival UCLA as a stepping stone to another Rose
Bowl.
LSU (10-2, 6-2) – The Tiger magic, so common throughout this
season, ran out Friday evening in a three-overtime, 50-48 loss to
Arkansas. In a year that’s been marked by thrilling endings and heroic
efforts, LSU just couldn’t overcome the Hog running trio of Darren
McFadden, Felix Jones, and Peyton Hillis, which combined for 379 yards
and five touchdowns. Although the SEC West champs are still favored to
end the year in New Orleans, the prize will be far less than anyone
expected before last week’s games.
Virginia Tech (10-2, 7-1) – The Hokies are gelling at the most
opportune time of the year, locking up the ACC Coastal division with
Saturday’s 33-21 win at rival Virginia. Tech is making the most of its
two-quarterback system, while springing RB Branden Ore behind a markedly
improved offensive line. The Hokies now face Boston College in
Jacksonville for the conference crown, a shot at redemption for their
Oct. 25 collapse to the Eagles.
Boston College (10-2, 6-2) – Beating Miami may not have had any
impact on the ACC standings, but don’t tell the Eagles it was
meaningless. Prior to Saturday’s doubling up of the ‘Canes, Boston
College had lost 15 straight to Miami dating back to 1984. The Eagles
will take a head of steam into next weekend’s date with Virginia Tech,
which will produce the ACC champion and an automatic berth in a BCS bowl
game.
Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2) – The Sooners made a swift and decisive
recovery from last week’s loss to Texas Tech, pounding Oklahoma State,
49-17, to wrap up another Big 12 South title. Obviously, Oklahoma earns
a spot in the Fiesta Bowl with a win over Missouri in the Alamodome next
weekend, but where does it end up with a loss? Two Big 12 programs will
be getting BCS bowl invitations, but will No. 2 be the traditional power
with three losses or one-loss Kansas?
Tennessee (9-3, 6-2) – Although the odds weren’t very good of it
happening, the Volunteers actually topped last week’s stirring comeback
win to beat Vanderbilt, outlasting Kentucky, 52-50, in a four-overtime
classic. By doing so, Tennessee held off the charge of Georgia, winning
the SEC East, and setting up a winner-take-all game with LSU for a trip
to the Sugar Bowl. With the Dawgs in the driver’s seat for an at-large
berth, neither the Vols nor the Tigers have any margin for error if they
hope to be one of the 10 BCS bowl participants.
S.O.S Schools
that are looking for help
Kansas (11-1, 7-1) – The Jayhawks delivered a valiant effort in
the fourth quarter of their loss to Missouri, but it wasn’t enough.
They fell for the first time, ending any hopes of a first league
championship in almost four decades. Still, as one of just four teams
in the nation with a single loss, Kansas remains very much alive in the
hunt for an at-large BCS bowl berth. To not get that bid, someone will
have to choose a two-loss Mizzou or three-loss Oklahoma over the
Jayhawks.
Arizona State (9-2, 6-2) – As Pac-10 champions go, the Sun Devils
got exposed by USC Thanksgiving night, getting decked 44-24. All,
however, has not been lost. If Arizona State beats Arizona Saturday
night, it’ll likely earn an at-large BCS berth, possibly to the familiar
Fiesta Bowl. If Sparky wins and the Trojans get upended by UCLA for a
second straight year, the Sun Devils will be outright Pac-10 champs, and
earn a spot in the Rose Bowl.
Illinois (9-3, 6-2) – Last week, the Bowl Championship Series
decided to expand its pool of eligible candidates from the top 14 to the
top 18 teams, if faced with a shortage of qualified programs. That
could be unbelievable news for an Illini team hoping to sneak into the
BCS bowl picture as an at-large selection. How about Illinois in the
Rose Bowl if Ohio State winds up landing a spot in the National
Championship game?
UCLA (6-5, 5-3) – Yes, hard as it is to fathom, at 6-5, the
Bruins remain mathematically alive to win the Pac-10. Barely alive,
that is. For UCLA to play a home game in January, it needs to beat USC
in The Coliseum, and hope for an Arizona upset of Arizona State. In
that scenario, a four-team tie would result, which the Bruins could win,
especially if Oregon holds serve against Oregon State.
BCS Buster Non-BCS
schools with a chance to play in a major bowl game
Hawaii (11-0, 8-0) – The
legions of doubters surrounding the program have shrunk considerably
since Friday night’s pivotal defeat of Boise State that locked up an
outright WAC championship and moved it to No. 12 in the rankings. More
important, the Warriors took an enormous step toward that coveted
at-large BCS bowl invitation, a berth they’ll secure with a win over
Washington this Saturday.
