T3R - Week 6

Last week we began to see the BCS picture a little more clearly. We know that Penn State is the Big Ten Champion and in all likelihood headed to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl unless all hell breaks loose and they somehow slip into the National Championship Game. We know that Cincinnati is a win over pathetic Syracuse away to going to their first ever BCS bowl, which will most likely be the Orange Bowl. We know that Missouri will be representing the Big XII North in the conference championship game. We also know that Georgia Tech is all but assured a spot in the ACC Championship Game. We know that Utah will get an at-large bid to a BCS bowl, most likely the Fiesta Bowl. What we do not know is how in the world the Big XII South and then the BCS Title game going to play out. That we will find out this week.


#1 FLORIDA GATORS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 70-19 win vs The Citadel
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ Florida State
The Gators have already assured themselves a spot in the SEC Title game, but a slip up on the road against hated rival Florida State could cause them a shot at the National Championship. Florida has been the best team in the country over the past two months and I expect that to continue right on to the title game in Miami.

#2 OKLAHOMA SOONERS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 65-21 win vs Texas Tech
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ #12 Oklahoma State
I know that Texas beat Oklahoma, and I honestly think that if it comes down to it that Texas should play fir the title ahead of Oklahoma, but that said, no way can I say Texas is currently playing better than Oklahoma. Oklahoma just had their way with the only team to beat Texas. The Sooners dominated Texas Tech in every way imaginable doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. Plus, I picked them in my preseason preview to play for the title, I got to pull for them, right?!

#3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 27th vs Texas A&M
Texas is sitting pretty right now, just ahead of Oklahoma in the BCS (the tie breaker for the Big XII in a 3-way tie) and in line to play for the conference championship and maybe the national championship. The only thing that could hurt the Horns is Oklahoma plays a much better team and that could be enough to help the Sooners jump Texas in strength of schedule. The Longhorns need OU to win but to win ugly.

#4 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (11-0)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Auburn
Alabama has two games left to conquer a perfect season. First up is the Iron Bowl against hated rival Auburn. Auburn has been playing better (ask Georgia) and Alabama may be looking ahead to the SEC title showdown with Florida. Auburn beating Bama would send the BCS into complete shambles, ROLL TIDE!!!

#5 SOUTHERN CAL TROJANS (9-1)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Notre Dame
USC is in a very odd position. They are 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the Pac-10 yet do not control their own destiny. Even if USC wins out, they must hope that Oregon State loses on Saturday to Oregon. Otherwise, USC could win their final two games and if all the right dominoes fall into place have a chance to play for the title without even winning their own conference. USC should not have much of a challenge this week with Notre Dame and it would not be a surprise at all to see Pete Carroll and Co. run it up to make an impression on the voters.

#6 UTAH UTES (12-0)
LAST WEEK: 48-24 win vs BYU
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
The Utes have done all that was asked of them, go undefeated. They beat the likes of Michigan, Oregon State, TCU and BYU along the way and have all but secured a second trip to the Fiesta Bowl in the process.

#7 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (11-1)
LAST WEEK: 49-18 win vs Michigan State
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
Penn State will be traveling to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the first time since 1994. The Lions surprised everyone this season with a high-powered offense and their typical shut down defense. At the Big Ten media day to kickoff the season the media only releases the top 3 teams in their preseason poll, Penn State failed to make that list. Now they finish in a first place tie with Ohio State but will head west for their bowl game after beating them head-to-head.

#8 TEXAS TECH RED RADIERS (10-1)
LAST WEEK: 65-21 loss @ Oklahoma
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Baylor
For as much good Texas Tech has done this season, it seems like nothing after that performance in Norman. The Red Raiders got beat in every aspect of the game and now have to hold it together to maybe get an at large BCS Bowl birth.

#9 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (11-0)
LAST WEEK: 41-34 win @ Nevada
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Fresno State
The Broncos just keep winning. Rival Fresno State is the last game on the schedule for Boise State then they hold their breath. One non-conference BCS team is guaranteed a spot in a BCS bowl if they are ranked in the top 12. Boise State will be in the top 12 but Utah will most likely be ahead of them. Boise State has to hope for an at large bid, but that is unlikely considering the SEC and Big XII will almost assuredly get one each and either Ohio State or USC would probably seem like better draws for most bowls than Boise State. We shall wait and see, and so will the Broncos, if they beat Fresno that is.

#10 the OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES (10-2)
LAST WEEK: 42-7 win vs Michigan
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED
The offense is finally where everyone thought it would be all year, unfortunately the season is over. Ohio State may go to a BCS bowl, but then again they may turn down that opportunity considering what has happened the last two seasons in BCS bowl games. One thing is certain; Terrelle Pryor is a gamer. He performed incredibly well after being on campus for a month before the season began. A full year of practice and reps will make him and that offense scary good next year.

#11 MISSOURI TIGERS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Kansas

#12 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs #2 Oklahoma

#13 CINCINNATI BEARCATS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: 28-21 win vs Pitt
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Syracuse

#14 GEORGIA BULLDOGS (9-2)
LAST WEEK: OFF
NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs #19 Georgia Tech

#15 BALL STATE CARDINALS (11-0)
LAST WEEK: 31-24 win @ Central Michigan
NEXT WEEK: Nov 25th vs Western Michigan

#16 BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 24-21 win @ Wake Forest

NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Maryland

#17 IOWA HAWKEYES (8-4)
LAST WEEK: 55-0 win @ Minnesota

REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED

#18 OREGON STATE BEAVERS (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 19-17 win @ Arizona

NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th vs Oregon

#19 GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (8-3)
LAST WEEK: 41-23 win vs Miami FL

NEXT WEEK: Nov 29th @ #14 Georgia

#20 TCU HORNED FROGS (10-2)
LAST WEEK: 44-10 win vs Air Force
REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED