Nov 15 2008
BCS Game Projections for Nov. 15
No team in the BCS top 10 lost this week. Therefore, there’s no reason to change the rankings. A key game next week pits #2 Texas Tech against #5 Oklahoma. In addition, #7 Utah and #8 Penn State will try to clinch BCS berths with wins next week.
Southeastern: #1 Alabama (11-0)
The Crimson Tide struggled with Mississippi State (3-7) tonight at home before prevailing, 32-7. The Rebels were game but their offense wasn’t good enough to handle Alabama. Special teams plays enabled the Tide to build a lead. The offense started developing a rhythm in the second half and wore down the Rebels. Alabama is off next week and finishes the regular season with the traditional Iron Bowl against Auburn.
Alabama’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 29: Home vs. Auburn (5-6)
Dec. 6: SEC Championship Game in Atlanta vs. Florida (9-1)
Big 12: #2 Texas Tech (10-0)
The Red Raiders were off today. Texas Tech has two weeks to prepare for its showdown against Oklahoma. The Sooners also have a fortnight to get ready for next week’s contest. Both teams still have visions of championships but the dreams of one side will likely fade by this time next week.
Texas Tech’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 22: At Oklahoma (9-1)
Nov. 29: Home vs. Baylor (4-7)
Dec. 6: Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City vs. Missouri (9-2)
Automatic At-Large: #3 Texas (10-1)
The Longhorns smashed Kansas (6-5), 35-7, in Lawrence. Colt McCoy continued his Heisman Trophy campaign with a solid performance. McCoy threw for 255 yards, rushed for 78 more yards and accounted for three touchdowns. Fourth-ranked Florida was very impressive in humbling South Carolina (7-4), 56-6, today but there’s no reason to drop Texas. The Longhorns are off next week before finishing their regular season Thanksgiving night against Texas A&M.
Texas’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 27: Home vs. Texas A&M (4-7)
Dec. 6: Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City vs. Missouri (9-2)
Mountain West: #7 Utah (11-0)
The Utes dismantled hapless San Diego State (1-10), 63-14, on the road tonight. Utah clinched a share of the conference championship with the win. The Utes’ second-ever BCS appearance will be clinched next week, if they defeat archrival Brigham Young. A loss means sharing the title with BYU and probably Texas Christian also. A Utah defeat means Boise State, currently 10-0 and ranked ninth, would move to the head of the non-BCS class.
Utah’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 22: Home vs. Brigham Young (10-1)
Big 10: #8 Penn State (10-1)
The Nittany Lions needed a half to get going against bottom-feeder Indiana (3-8) today. However, PSU scored 17 third-quarter points to decide the outcome en route to a 34-7 triumph. The win was needed since Ohio State (9-2) and Michigan State both won as well. The Lions will go to the Rose Bowl if they beat MSU in Happy Valley next week. If PSU loses, it’ll likely slide out of the BCS entirely.
Penn State’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 22: Home vs. Michigan State (9-2)
Big East: #22 Cincinnati (8-2)
The Bearcats squeaked past Louisville (5-5), 28-20, Friday. Cincinnati has a 4-1 conference mark. Pittsburgh and West Virginia (6-3) are each 3-1 in Big East action. Cincinnati defeated West Virginia Nov. 8 and hosts Pittsburgh next week. Pittsburgh, off today, has played neither of the other co-leaders yet. Should the front-runners stumble, Connecticut (7-3) and Rutgers (5-5) are just one game off the pace.
Cincinnati’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 22: Home vs. Pittsburgh (7-2)
Nov. 29: Home vs. Syracuse (2-8)
Dec. 6: At Hawaii (5-5)
Atlantic Coast: Miami (7-3)
The ACC is still a mess. The conference had three ranked teams this week. All three–North Carolina, Florida State and Wake Forest–lost Saturday. Two teams have fewer than three conference losses. Maryland (7-3) leads the Coastal Division but I’ve put the Terrapins in this spot once already and they lost their next game. So Miami gets the bid this week. The Hurricanes defeated Virginia Tech (6-4), 16-14, Thursday. They have a key Atlantic Division game against Georgia Tech Thursday.
Miami’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 20: At Georgia Tech (7-3)
Nov. 29: At North Carolina State (4-6)
Dec. 6: ACC Championship Game in Tampa
Pacific-10: Oregon State (7-3)
After dropping their first two games to Stanford (5-6) and Penn State, the Beavers earned their seventh victory in the past eight contests today. OSU dispatched California (6-4), 34-21, at home. Meanwhile, USC (9-1) wore down host Stanford in the fourth quarter and won, 45-23. If the Beavers win their last two games, they’ll earn a Rose Bowl berth. Those games are against the teams that scored a combined 100 points against each other tonight. Oregon beat Arizona, 55-45. OSU faces Arizona next week then Oregon in the traditional Civil War game to end the year.
Oregon State’s remaining schedule:
Nov. 22: At Arizona (6-4)
Nov. 29: Home vs. Oregon (8-3)
With eight teams guaranteed BCS slots, there are two at-large spots available. The following seven teams are in the pool:
#4 Florida (9-1, SEC)
#5 Oklahoma (9-1, Big 12)
#6 USC (9-1, Pac-10)
#9 Boise State (10-0, Western Athletic)
#10 Georgia (9-2, SEC)
#11 Ohio State (9-2, Big 10)
#12 Missouri (9-2, Big 12)
Penn State and Oregon State would meet in the Rose Bowl. Alabama and Texas Tech are off to the BCS title game. The Sugar Bowl gets the first pick to replace Alabama and picks Florida. Georgia is now ineligible since two SEC teams have already been selected.
The Fiesta Bowl would take Texas to replace Texas Tech. Oklahoma and Missouri would then be ineligible. Next, the Fiesta would pick USC as an at-large rather than Boise State or Ohio State. The Sugar Bowl would tab Cincinnati to face Florida. Utah would be left to battle Miami in the Orange Bowl. Therefore, the BCS game projections for Nov. 15 are as follows:
BCS Championship: Alabama vs. Texas Tech
Rose: Penn State vs. Oregon State
Orange: Utah vs. Miami
Sugar: Florida vs. Cincinnati
Fiesta: Texas vs. USC
Do you think the Gator’s have a shot at beating Alabama and making it to the National Championship game?
I think so. The Gators have been playing very well since the loss to Mississippi. Playing at a neutral site in the SEC Championship gives Florida a good chance. If the Gators win, they’ll likely qualify for the BCS title game.
I would rather see Utah play Florida (Urban Meyer used to coach Utah). Put Cincinatti against Miami. This would also make both games more competitive.
I agree the games would be better under your scenario. However, I don’t think the Sugar Bowl will want to invite Utah, Urban Meyer angle or not. Every bowl game–except the championship–is about generating the most money. Utah travels poorly and, since Salt Lake City isn’t a large television market, networks aren’t keen on the Utes either.
i agree with you. actually, i never play these games.
The games are always fun to watch. There’s hard to play. There’s a tremendous toll taken by those who participate so hats off to them.