Oct 12 2008
BCS Game Projections for Oct. 12
Big 12–#1 Texas (6-0):
The Longhorns won the Red River Rivalry for the third time in four years, besting Oklahoma, 45-35, in Dallas. Texas was ranked fifth at the time and no top-four team won. So 39 of the 65 voters gave Texas the top spot this week. In reality, second is as good as first since both teams will play for the BCS title. However, being considered the best squad has to feel good. There’s no rest for the Longhorns though as they face #11 Missouri Saturday. The Tigers were upset at home by Oklahoma State yesterday, 28-23, and will want to get on track again.
Southeastern–#2 Alabama (6-0):
The Crimson TIde must be wondering what happened. The regular season is 15 weeks long. Most Division 1-A teams play 12 games. Therefore, there will be byes during the season. Alabama had no idea an off week could be so costly as only 26 voters decided to move the TIde to the top spot. Therefore, Alabama remains in second place nationally but still atop the SEC. The Tide hosts Mississippi (3-3) Saturday. The Rebels defeated #5 Florida in Gainesville so they are certainly capable of playing well.
Big 10–#3 Penn State (7-0):
The Nittany Lions throttled host Wisconsin (3-3), 48-7, last night and rose three places in the AP poll. PSU plays conference co-leader #12 Ohio State next week but must first defeat Michigan (2-4) Saturday. The Wolverines are struggling mightily under new coach Rich Rodriguez but the Lions have been dominated by Michigan this decade.
Automatic At-Large–#4 Oklahoma (5-1):
The Sooners jumped to an early 11-point lead against Texas and held a 35-30 fourth-quarter advantage. Oklahoma could not finish the game successfully and could not maintain its place at number one. Fortunately for OU fans, pollsters kept the Sooners in the top four with three conference leaders ahead of them. Therefore, Oklahoma is guaranteed a BCS bid in this week’s projection. The Sooners host #16 Kansas (5-1) Saturday.
Pacific-10–#6 USC (4-1):
The Trojans shut out reeling Arizona State (2-4), 28-0, and stayed in contention for the Pac-10 championship. USC must avoid an Oregon State-type letdown Saturday when it travels to conference doormat Washington State (1-6).
Mountain West–#9 Brigham Young (6-0):
The Cougars are forgetting that the BCS is about style as much as it’s about substance. Crushing UCLA (2-4), 59-0, last month garnered attention. A workmanlike 21-3 win against New Mexico (3-4) yesterday didn’t curry any favor. That’s why BYU has lost ground in the poll the past two weeks. The Cougars have a chance for a marquee win Thursday though when they travel to Texas Christian (6-1), a once-ranked team that has lost only to Oklahoma.
Atlantic Coast–#17 Virginia Tech (5-1):
The season-opening loss at East Carolina (3-3) is looking worse by the week after ECU lost its third consecutive game yesterday. The Hokies were off last week and will play Saturday at Boston College (4-1).
Big East–#19 South Florida (5-1): By the time the Bulls play once-proud Syracuse (1-5) this week, they will have had 16 days to get over their upset loss to #24 Pittsburgh (4-1) to start conference action. USF can’t realistically expect to lose another game and still win the conference. The Bulls are lucky to host the Orange Saturday. The new movie, The Express, featuring Syracuse legend Ernie Davis, will remind people that Syracuse once really did have a good football team.
There are six teams in the at-large pool this week, although the three Big 12 teams aren’t eligible to be picked because Texas and Oklahoma already have the conference’s two tickets.
#5 Florida (5-1, SEC)
#7 Texas Tech (6-0, Big 12)
#8 Oklahoma State (6-0, Big 12)
#10 Georgia (5-1, SEC)
#11 Missourl (5-1, Big 12)
#12 Ohio State (6-1, Big 10)
The Fiesta Bowl would choose first to replace Texas because the Longhorns are slated for the BCS title game. Organizers would quickly grab Oklahoma even though the Sooners are becoming a Tempe staple. The Sugar Bowl would get the next pick since anchor Alabama is headed to the championship game. Officials would happily nab Florida, leaving Georgia ineligible.
The Fiesta Bowl would then pick an opponent for Oklahoma and would select Ohio State. The Sugar Bowl would next choose South Florida to face Florida, leaving BYU to play against Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Therefore, the BCS game projections for Oct. 12 are as follows:
BCS Championship: Texas vs. Alabama
Rose: Penn State vs. USC
Orange: Brigham Young vs. Virginia Tech
Sugar: Florida vs. South Florida
Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. Ohio State
