Update: You can check out the first BCS standings here.
The first BCS standings of 2009 will be released on Sunday afternoon, and everyone agrees that a pair of SEC teams, Florida and Alabama, will be the top two, followed by Texas at No. 3. But what comes after that?
According to the usually accurate BCS Guru, Boise State will edge out USC for the No. 4 spot, and the remainder of the Top 10 will consist of Iowa, LSU, Cincinnati, TCU and Miami.
But the BCS standings are mostly a curiosity at this time of year. There's no prize for being atop the BCS on Oct. 18; the prize comes at the end of the season. So what's likely to happen over the next seven weeks?
For starters, obviously, either Florida or Alabama will lose, because if they keep winning they'll meet in the SEC Championship Game. That means Texas just needs to keep winning, and they'll be in the BCS title game. The Longhorns' toughest remaining game is their next one, at Oklahoma State.
So if form holds, the Florida-Alabama winner will play Texas for the national title. Of course, in college football, form usually doesn't hold. But two of the top three losing wouldn't necessarily open the door for No. 4 Boise State. The Broncos' schedule is so easy the rest of the way that they really have no opportunities to impress either the poll voters or the computers. Even if the Broncos keep winning, they could easily get passed by USC, Iowa, LSU, Cincinnati or TCU.
What could put Boise State in the BCS title game conversation would be Oregon upsetting USC on Halloween. Since Boise State beat Oregon in the season opener, a Ducks victory over the Trojans would be huge both for the Broncos' strength of schedule and for their reputation among the poll voters.
Outside the Top 5, the two teams with the clearest paths to the title game are Iowa and Cincinnati, both of which are undefeated and atop BCS conferences. And after that? There are enough scenarios to make your head spin. And over the next couple months we'll all have fun sitting back and watching.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-18-2009 @ 11:49AM
Tim0619 said...
After watching Florida on Saturday nearly get beat by Arkansas which is an unrated team, I think Alabama is clearly the #1 team in the country. Bama's defense is second to none and their offense has a Heisman candidate with Mark Ingram. Lastly, WHY is Boise State in the top ten. Other than beating Oregon they have played a ridiculously easy schedule and they could be totally destroyed by any of the top ten schools. They should be rated somewhere around 17th or 18th unless they want to play "real" teams.
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10-18-2009 @ 12:18PM
locke7777777 said...
I completely agree. I'm even surprised that he thinks that Texas is going to take No.3 after such an abysmal game
10-18-2009 @ 4:21PM
jmhuggs said...
florida has one good win. texas has one good win. boise state has one good win. why don't they deserve to be in the top ten? maybe as the season progresses and those teams play tougher games while boise state breezes through the wac you could make your case. but right now, everyone has played a weak schedule outside of bama.
10-18-2009 @ 4:47PM
jay said...
If alabama were to turn the ball over to a good arkansas team, which despite what the record is,four times they lose and any other team in the country would as well. and also you need to note where those turnovers occured.
10-18-2009 @ 5:03PM
Clay said...
jay - Hate to break it to you, but Bama did turn the ball over 4 times last night. They still managed to win by 14 over a ranked opponent.
10-18-2009 @ 12:07PM
Ron said...
Could Bama win by more having the players out with injuries before the game and then during the game losing 3 more for the night. Our Offense played horribly, lost the ball 4 times with no take aways and still found a way to win by driving the field the last two drives to win the game. Thats what great teams do when the game is on the line on an off night. see ya in Atlanta Bama but you wont be the winner of that game......theres always next year!
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10-18-2009 @ 12:36PM
highlanderx99 said...
I watched the Florida game last night and the Alabama game and what I saw in both games was officiating that was so biased towards the favorites in both games that it was impossible for either to lose. Do the officials get a bonus by bringing two undefeated teams to the SEC championship game...I keep seeing everyone condemning BSU for their easy schedule. Top teams wont schedule BSU it does them no good if they lose to a non BCS school their championship possibilities are doomed. Move BSU and Hawaii to the pac 10 making it the pac twelve and split into two divisions like the ACC, SEC and Big 12
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10-18-2009 @ 2:04PM
Jerry said...
I absolutely agree that the officials in the Florida and Alabama game were there to ensure the favorites didn't lose...especially in the Florida game near the end.
10-19-2009 @ 12:11AM
expressglasswv said...
i agree, those games were handed to those 2 loosers
10-18-2009 @ 12:45PM
deitrade said...
LOCKE7777, so you believe TEXAS does not deserve being number 3..... I DON"T either! "IF" they go undefeated ( NO MATTER WHO they have played), they will be ready to take the National Title against Alabama, Florida, Cinn, Iowa Boise St, USC...bring em onnnnnn. Just win baby just winnnnnnn! Texas 2005 National Champs 13-0...2006 21-1, 2007 10-2, 2008 12-1, 2009 6-0 so far...ALL BOWL winners.... and people like you think they are over rated. LOLLLLLLLLLLLL
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10-18-2009 @ 3:40PM
mab said...
They are overrated. They have to come from behind every game. And the comeback is always in the 3rd quarter and always at home in a hail of yellow against the opponent. Ut has the dirtiest program there is
10-18-2009 @ 5:23PM
dfraze22 said...
It's not who's #1 now but who's #1 at the end of the season. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!! also texas should be the #3 team I don't see any other team worthy.
10-18-2009 @ 12:51PM
tdbrought said...
All the pundits were sure that UT was overrated in '05 too. USC had the best team in history remember? Texas had no business being on the field that day, right?
Oops.
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10-18-2009 @ 12:54PM
deitrade said...
LOLLLL 2006 was a typo ( not 21-1 12-1 )
TEXAS in the last 5 years has been 54-4. No this Team is not solid, it has it's flaws but they have Tradition and Texas Pride plus 105 of their 110 players on the roster are TEXAS bred.
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10-18-2009 @ 12:55PM
Mike said...
After watching many games yesterday, I don't see Florida, Alabama, Texas or USC worthy of number 1 spot based on their overall performances. The best game yesterday was Iowa v. Wisconsin. Iowa is and will continue to be the team to beat for the # 1 spot. Well rounded team with excellent coaching and team discipline.
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10-18-2009 @ 1:16PM
deitrade said...
I have to admit, I had to look up where Iowa played and who they have played. Mike, I don't see any one but Ohio St who could give them a game. Big Ten is NOT what it used to be. I am sure you could say the same about the Big 12 but if we just compared the Big Ten and Big 12 alone the past few years you would see the Big 12 was more competitive than the Big 10 within their OWN conferences. In truth, I have always liked IOWA football but as a Cowboy fan, I just can't stomach their Pittsburgh Steeler uniforms LOLLLLLLLLLLL.
10-18-2009 @ 1:36PM
Lee said...
OK first of all the SEC is THE dominant conference in the college football. Only way an SEC team looses is to another SEC team. I wish that schedules would have more top conference teams playing each other then all you people would see that. Go gators. I'm sure Florida or Alabama will win the championship this year.
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10-18-2009 @ 9:36PM
bastion78 said...
I am a huge SEC fan, but please don't make ignorant remarks. Miss St. lost to Houston, so SEC teams do not only lose to SEC teams. As a matter of fact, our out of conference record is not very dominating. What I will say though is that the best of the SEC is better than the best of the other conferences.
10-18-2009 @ 2:21PM
kennethmattison said...
This BCS No1 football poll is so much crap I really don't care who is the so called best team in college football. I root for the team and when the have a playoff system then I will care.
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10-18-2009 @ 3:13PM
Jerry Worley said...
Alabama will falter, I suspect LSU with their revamped offense since Florida almost lost to LSU on the Tiger's worst game I have ever seem them play, not to mention all of the officials being on Florida's roster. That will put LSU vs. Florida in the SEC Champ. game.
One more comment, why in the hell is Ohio St. still ranked?? How many do they need to lose to be out?? Come on guys, get them out of here
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