Nov 17 2009
BCS Game Projections for Nov. 17
The top eight of the BCS remain constant thanks to consistent play. Barring major upsets, the top of the standings won’t change next week either since none of the top squads is playing a ranked opponent. Ohio State is the first team to clinch a BCS bid.
Southeastern: #1 Florida (10-0)
The Gators prevailed against a game South Carolina (6-5) squad in Columbia, 24-14. Florida has completed its first unbeaten SEC season since 1991. The Gators next host two in-state opponents (the first of which is Florida International (3-7) ) before their showdown with Alabama in the conference title game.
Florida’s remaining schedule
Nov. 21: Home vs. Florida International
Nov. 28: Home vs. Florida State
Dec. 5: SEC Championship Game vs. Alabama in Atlanta
Automatic At-Large: #2 Alabama (10-0)
The Crimson Tide wore down Mississippi State (4-6) before rolling over the Bulldogs, 31-3, in Starkville. Alabama hosts Division I-AA Tennessee-Chattanooga before meeting arch rival Auburn (7-4) in the Iron Bowl. Meanwhile, a date with Florida for postseason glory awaits.
Alabama’s remaining schedule
Nov. 21: Home vs. Chattanooga
Nov. 27: At Auburn
Dec. 5: SEC Championship Game vs. Florida in Atlanta
Big 12: #3 Texas (9-0)
The Longhorns jumped to a 40-0 halftime advantage in Waco against overmatched Baylor (4-6) before cruising to a 47-14 triumph. Texas hosts Big 12 North cellar-dweller Kansas (5-5) Saturday. With a win, the Longhorns will clinch a spot in the conference championship game Dec. 5. Kansas, behind quarterback Todd Reesing, was supposed to be much better than 1-5 in Big 12 action.
Texas’s remaining schedule
Nov. 21: Home vs. Kansas
Nov. 26: At Texas A&M
Mountain West: #4 Texas Christian (10-0)
The Horned Frogs allowed exactly seven points in each quarter against #21 Utah (8-2) Saturday. However, TCU tallied 55 points of its own en route to a 55-28 thumping. The Frogs must not overlook this weekend’s trip to Laramie to face Wyoming (5-5). It’ll be hard to avoid looking past hapless New Mexico (0-10) to end the regular season. TCU’s biggest problem is finding a way to get past two of the three teams ahead of it in the BCS standings.
Texas Christian’s remaining schedule
Nov. 21: At Wyoming
Nov. 28: Home vs. New Mexico
Big East: #5 Cincinnati (10-0)
The Bearcats were pushed to the limit by West Virginia (7-3) but survived, 24-21, Friday. Cincinnati is still undefeated and will have two weeks to prepare for Big Ten also-ran Illinois (3-7). The Big East showdown with Pittsburgh looms at season’s end.
Cincinnati’s remaining schedule
Nov. 27: Home vs. Illinois
Dec. 5: At Pittsburgh
Atlantic Coast: #7 Georgia Tech (10-1)
The Yellow Jackets won the Coastal Division in emphatic fashion, crushing host Duke (5-5), 49-10, in Durham. The Blue Devils managed a 10-7 advantage after one quarter but GT scored three second-period touchdowns to put away the game early. The Jackets’ opponent in next month’s conference title game is yet to be determined. GT’s next foe is well-known as Georgia (6-4) comes to town in two weeks.
Georgia Tech’s remaining schedule
Nov. 28: Home vs. Georgia
Dec. 5: ACC Championship Game in Tampa
At-Large: #9 Pittsburgh (9-1)
The Panthers had a 27-9 fourth-quarter lead against Notre Dame (6-4) Saturday but had to survive a furious Fighting Irish rally before prevailing, 27-22. Pittsburgh is off to its best start since 1982, Dan Marino’s senior year. The Panthers weren’t as attractive an at-large team as Ohio State and USC but both of those teams are out of the at-large pool this week. USC, thanks to its humbling 55-21 home loss to Stanford. Ohio State, thanks to its Big Ten championship upon beating Iowa. Therefore, Pittsburgh gets an at-large bid. The Panthers are off this weekend before the annual border clash with West Virginia next Friday.
Pittsburgh’s remaining schedule
Nov. 27: At West Virginia
Dec. 5: Home vs. Cincinnati
Big Ten: #10 Ohio State (9-2)
The Buckeyes emerged victorious Saturday, 27-24, in overtime against visiting Iowa to earn the conference’s BCS berth. OSU is headed to the Rose Bowl even if it loses at Michigan (5-6) this week since the Buckeyes control all the potential tiebreakers. That said, OSU should be more than ready to go to Ann Arbor and send the Wolverines reeling to a second consecutive losing campaign.
Ohio State’s remaining schedule
Nov. 21: At Michigan
Jan. 1: Rose Bowl in Pasadena
Pacific-10: #11 Oregon (8-2)
The Ducks avoided a second straight slip-up Saturday by thrashing Arizona State (4-6), 44-21, in Tempe. If Oregon wins its last two games, it will go to the Rose Bowl. However, both contests will be tough. The first one comes this weekend at Arizona (6-3). The Wildcats have never played in the Rose Bowl game and they know a loss Saturday means their drought will be extended another year.
Oregon’s remaining schedule
Nov. 21: At Arizona
Dec. 3: Home vs. Oregon State
At-Large: #14 Penn State (9-2)
There will be five teams battling for the last at-large spot. LSU won’t be eligible so two conference mates are already in the field. Boise State comes from a small conference and has a small national fanbase. Oklahoma State has done well against a weaker-than-expected Big 12. But Penn State over Iowa? Iowa won in Happy Valley, has the same record and is ranked one spot higher. PSU is 14th, the minimum required. So why? Money. The Nittany Lions defeated Indiana (4-7), 31-20, last week. If PSU wins at Michigan State (6-5), it will get a BCS bid because bowl officials will generate more money from an appearance by the Lions than from any other available team.
Penn State’s remaining schedule
Nov. 21: At Michigan State
The other teams in the at-large pool are:
#6 Boise State (10-0), Western Athletic
#8 Louisiana State (8-2), SEC
#12 Oklahoma State (8-2), Big 12
#13 Iowa (9-2), Big Ten
As projected now, the BCS Championship Game would pit Florida against Alabama. Ohio State and Oregon are set for the Rose Bowl. The Sugar Bowl would pick Cincinnati to replace the SEC squads. Since there are already two SEC teams, LSU is now ineligible.
The Sugar Bowl would then choose Penn State. Since there are now two Big Ten teams, Iowa is ineligible. Pittsburgh would head for the Orange Bowl. Finally, TCU comes to the Fiesta Bowl. The BCS game projections for Nov. 17 are as follows:
BCS Championship: Florida vs. Alabama
Rose: Ohio State vs. Oregon
Sugar: Cincinnati vs. Penn State
Fiesta: Texas vs. Texas Christian
Orange: Georgia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
