Oct 26 2009
BCS Game Projections for Oct. 26
There were a few close calls but the top nine teams in last week’s initial BCS standings managed to win. There was some movement in the second edition of rankings. Iowa and USC each rose two places even though they won by a combined eight points. Boise State and Cincinnati sank three spots apiece, despite each winning Saturday by more than 30 points. The combination of voters and computers can be confusing. The championship game projection remains constant.
Southeastern: #1 Florida (7-0)
The Gators broke open a 13-13 tie against Mississippi State (3-5) with 16 straight points in the second half. Florida then held off the Bulldogs at home, 29-19. The Gators now prepare for the annual game with Georgia (4-3). The Bulldogs (same as MSU) have had two weeks to get ready for the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” Saturday.
Florida’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: Vs. Georgia in Jacksonville
Nov. 7: Home vs. Vanderbilt
Nov. 14: At South Carolina
Nov. 21: Home vs. Florida International
Nov. 28: Home vs. Florida State
Automatic At-Large: #2 Alabama (8-0)
The Crimson Tide depended on two blocked field goals by Terrence Cody–the first two blocked kicks of his career–to stave off an inspired Tennessee (3-4) squad. Alabama prevailed despite not scoring a touchdown, 12-10. The Tide is off this week. The offense must improve, especially when deep in opponents’ territory. LSU looms next.
Alabama’s remaining schedule
Nov. 7: Home vs. Louisiana State
Nov. 14: At Mississippi State
Nov. 21: Home vs. Chattanooga
Nov. 27: At Auburn
Big 12: #3 Texas (7-0)
The Longhorns were in fine form against Missouri (4-3). Texas, behind quarterback Colt McCoy, scored 35 points in the first half then cruised to a 41-7 victory in Columbia. There’s no rest for Texas though as a trip to Stillwater is coming this week. Big 12 South rival Oklahoma State awaits a chance to upset the Longhorns.
Texas’ remaining schedule
Oct. 31: At Oklahoma State
Nov. 7: Home vs. Central Florida
Nov. 14: At Baylor
Nov. 21: Home vs. Kansas
Nov. 26: At Texas A&M
Big Ten: #4 Iowa (8-0)
The Hawkeyes won in East Lansing Saturday by the skin of their teeth. A seven-yard touchdown pass on the final play lifted Iowa to a 15-13 win over Michigan State (4-4). The good news is the next two games are at Kinnick Stadium against second-division Big Ten opposition. Anything can happen this week though so the Hawkeyes must be ready for a 60-minute game. Indiana (2-5) is the next opponent.
Iowa’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: Home vs. Indiana
Nov. 7: Home vs. Northwestern
Nov. 14: At Ohio State
Nov. 21: Home vs. Minnesota
At-Large: #5 USC (6-1)
The Trojans avenged last season’s loss to Oregon State (4-3) Saturday. However, the game was much closer than USC would have preferred as the Beavers fought hard before succumbing, 42-36. Nonetheless, the Trojans rose two spots in this week’s rankings. USC visits Oregon in what will likely be the Pac-10 championship game.
USC’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: At Oregon
Nov. 7: At Arizona State
Nov. 14: Home vs. Stanford
Nov. 28: Home vs. UCLA
Dec. 5: Home vs. Arizona
Mountain West: #6 Texas Christian (7-0)
The Horned Frogs crushed Brigham Young (6-2), 38-7, in Provo last week. TCU won the only game Saturday that matched two top-20 squads. BYU was supposed to ready to face TCU after a humbling loss in Fort Worth last season. However, Andy Dalton was better at quarterback than Max Hall and the Frogs won in surprisingly easy fashion. TCU jumped Boise State into the top ranking among non-BCS teams. Therefore, assuming the Frogs beat UNLV (3-5), they have a major bid berth in this week’s projection.
Texas Christian’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: Home vs. Nevada-Las Vegas
Nov. 7: At San Diego State
Nov. 14: Home vs. Utah
Nov. 21: At Wyoming
Nov. 28: Home vs. New Mexico
Big East: #8 Cincinnati (7-0)
The Bearcats crushed rebuilding Louisville (2-5), 41-10, last week. Even so, the computers weren’t impressed as Cincinnati fell three places in the standings. Saturday’s game at struggling Syracuse (3-4) isn’t likely to draw a lot of attention. Upcoming games against #21 West Virginia (6-1) and #15 Pittsburgh (7-1) will attract plenty of interest should the Bearcats still be unbeaten then.
Cincinnati’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: At Syracuse
Nov. 7: Home vs. Connecticut
Nov. 13: Home vs. West Virginia
Nov. 27: Home vs. Illinois
Dec. 5: At Pittsburgh
Pacific-10: #10 Oregon (6-1)
The Ducks did Saturday what USC failed to do earlier this year: win at Washington. Oregon throttled the Huskies (3-5), 43-19, in Seattle. Therefore, the Ducks remain alone atop the conference. Oregon hosts USC Saturday in a critical clash.
Oregon’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: Home vs. USC
Nov. 7: At Stanford
Nov. 14: Home vs. Arizona State
Nov. 21: At Arizona
Dec. 3: Home vs. Oregon State
Atlantic Coast: #11 Georgia Tech (7-1)
The Yellow Jackets put upstart Virginia (3-4) in its place Saturday by dismantling the Cavaliers, 34-9, in Charlottesville. Now GT’s 5-1 conference mark is the best in the league. The Jackets visit Nashville to play Vanderbilt (2-6) in a non-conference game this week.
Georgia Tech’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: At Vanderbilt
Nov. 7: Home vs. Wake Forest
Nov. 14: At Duke
Nov. 28: Home vs. Georgia
At-Large: #12 Penn State (7-1)
The Nittany Lions rolled over Michigan (5-3) in Ann Arbor, 35-10, last week. With the win, PSU remain on track toward a BCS bowl. The Lions host #17 Ohio State (6-2) next week but they must not overlook their next opponent, Northwestern (5-3). The Wildcats are usually tough in Evanston.
Penn State’s remaining schedule
Oct. 31: At Northwestern
Nov. 7: Home vs. Ohio State
Nov. 14: Home vs. Indiana
Nov. 21: At Michigan State
The other teams in the at-large pool are:
#7 Boise State (7-0), Western Athletic
#9 Louisiana State (6-1), SEC
#13 Virginia Tech (6-2), ACC
#14 Oklahoma State (6-1), Big 12
The BCS Championship Game would feature Florida against Alabama. Iowa and Oregon are headed to meet in the Rose Bowl. The Sugar Bowl would likely pick USC to replace the lost SEC squads. Since there are already two SEC teams, LSU is now ineligible.
The Sugar Bowl would then choose Penn State. The Orange Bowl would select Cincinnati next. Finally, TCU heads to the Fiesta Bowl. The BCS game projections for Oct. 26 are as follows:
BCS Championship: Florida vs. Alabama
Rose: Iowa vs. Oregon
Sugar: USC vs. Penn State
Fiesta: Texas vs. Texas Christian
Orange: Cincinnati vs. Georgia Tech
