Week in Review

Let’s rewind the tape of last week and see what it means to this season and talk about myth versus fact. Two undefeated teams, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, both fell to conference foes unexpectedly. There is no longer an unbeaten team in the BIG, still known as the Big Ten. A surprising team in Kansas State and high powered Oklahoma State of the Big XII remain undefeated, though Kansas State will put their unblemished mark on the line this weekend against psychologically wounded Oklahoma. This blog will profile the remaining unbeatens and their chances to win it all.

 

#1 LSU

LSU is ranked No. 1 in every poll but they’re on a collision course with the Crimson Tide next Saturday for the default national championship game. The winner will represent the Western Division in the SEC championship game and more than likely represent the conference in the BCS championship game. The Tigers possess what it takes to win it all if they can escape Tuscaloosa with a victory.

 

#2 Alabama

There isn’t much difference between the Tide and the aforementioned school that they play on November 5^th. The game will be a historic one with the largest drawing to Tuscaloosa in school history. A special edition of ESPN’s College Game Day is rumored to be in store an entire day early. It will be interesting to see what price a ticket will go for near kick off. I personally just hope my ear drums aren’t ruined when I leave that place. Saban will have his team well prepared for the Bayou Bengals in the clash of the Titans. The winner will have a clear path to win it all.

 

#3 Oklahoma State

Brandon Weeden hasn’t been mentioned much for the Heisman and it is quite a shame. If he played for Oklahoma, that wouldn’t be the case but it hard to overcome that shadow unless something is done about it on the field. The Pokies will have to win out and hope that the BCS Polls like them enough in the end to give them the No.2 spot and a chance to play in the BCS national title game. Oklahoma State posses the most brutal November schedule in the nation down the stretch, starting with this weekend’s match up against a very dangerous Baylor team. The season ends with games against #8 Kansas State (Nov 5^th), #20 Texas Tech, Iowa State, and arch rival #9 Oklahoma. If Oklahoma State can win all of those, they may be allowed to pack their bags up for a January 9, 2012 date in New Orleans. History just isn’t on their side.

 

#4 Boise State

This is by far the most intriguing school in the mix. As of now, the Blue Turf Smurfs are ranked 4^th in the BCS and will only move up when any of the schools in front of them lose. Either Alabama or LSU will lose their matchup against each other next week, helping Boise move one step closer to the price that keeps eluding their program year after year. We will get a chance to see if a move to the Mountain West, still another non- AQ conference, was enough strength of schedule wise, to propel them into a chance to play for the BCS championship. It is highly likely that Broncos will finish up their remaining schedule by demolishing its opponents in un-sportsman like fashion. They’ll have to, to even be considered for an outside shot by poll voters, who account for two-thirds of the BCS poll. Last year’s Boise State team could have beaten both teams who played for the BCS national championship. But would you want to see this Boise State team matched up against Alabama or LSU in the season’s final game? I didn’t think so.

 

#5 Clemson

This week’s game against Georgia Tech and the last game of the season against arch rival #13 South Carolina are the biggest tests that remain for Tigers of Death Valley. Tajh Boyd has been remarkable in leading his team through September and October. Clemson now has national aspirations and hopes to remain undefeated and win the ACC title game. The weakness of the ACC may end up costing Clemson a shot at a national championship game appearance if there are undefeated schools from two other conferences when the regular season ends. If Dabo Swinney can keep his team undefeated, they’ll still likely need a loss from Stanford and/or the remaining undefeated teams in the Big XII to have a shot. Regardless of what happens, this has been a special season for Clemson’s football program and Swinney will definitely use it to build on in the near future. Clemson is back!

 

#6 Stanford

The BCS polls have the Cardinal ranked 6^th and for good reason. They didn’t play anyone with a winning record until this past week’s victory over #25 Washington. Now the stretch of games begins that will help Stanford climb in the polls should they continue to win. This week they have USC, followed by key games at home against Oregon (Nov 12^th) and the last game of the regular season against Notre Dame. If victorious against Oregon, the Cardinal will then turn around and play in the first ever PAC 12 championship game. Should they win, it will more than likely go over well enough for voters to push them into a spot for the BCS title game. Still, we are a long way off from all of that happening. Let’s just see if they can beat the Trojans in the Coliseum this weekend.

 

#8 Kansas State

I wonder how it would feel to be currently playing home games in Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium for head coach Bill Snyder. The guy is like 104 and coached K-State last when I was in grade school. The magic of turning a program around apparently never left him as he has guided K-State back to the brink of contention for the Big XII title. It isn’t pretty how they do it, but they do things right. They play ball control offense and minimize mistakes and play great defense. So far it’s worked, however, with the toughest part of their schedule remaining; it’s hard to see the Wildcats remaining unscathed. Even if they do, I don’t see voters pulling for K-State too much in the end. It is still good to see them back. Great job coach Snyder, I’m sure you’ll be up for coach of the year awards everywhere.

 

Myth vs. Fact

Around the South, there has been a lot of chatter about LSU and Alabama potentially having a rematch in the BCS championship game in January. First, let’s allow them to play their November 5^th matchup and see how that goes. Are these the two best teams in the country? Yes, without a doubt. Are they evenly matched? Yes, with not much in between. Would the country like to see a rematch in the National Championship game? If the first match is close, then maybe. Will the voters allow vote for them to play again? NO!!!! It won’t happen. One of them will have a loss and won’t even make an appearance in the SEC Championship game. Voters more than likely will choose a one loss Stanford, Oregon, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin or Clemson if they win their conference championship. Boise State more than likely won’t lose and are currently 4^th in the poll so they are a factor also. As much as we’d like to think about it, under the BCS system and they way it works, it won’t happen due to the human element of the poll, the voters. It’s great food for thought though.

 

Hope you’ve enjoyed it. Leave comments below.