Twenty-two teams still have a shot to fill nine remaining open spots in the Bowl Championship Series.
That’s what the news release from the Bowl Championship Series said, but in reality its 21 teams for eight spots. Utah’s BCS bid doesn’t become official until the final standings come out on Dec. 7 and the Utes, who are in sixth place, are in the top 12. That’s a formality.
M.
Cincinnati and Oregon State can join Penn State and Utah in the BCS lineup Saturday, maybe sooner in the Bearcats’ case.
The Bearcats can win their first Big East title by beating last-place Syracuse on Saturday in the Queen City. The Orange won last week at Notre Dame, but this is a big step up in class.
West Virginia could make the Cincinnati game moot by losing at Pittsburgh on Friday night, giving the conference crown to the Bearcats.
o the BCS. The Beavers played in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl, drubbing Notre Dame 41-9 with Dennis Erickson as coach and Chad Johnson (now Ocho Cinco) and T. J. Houshmandzadeh at receiver.
This time around, it’s Rose Bowl or Bust for the Beavers, who haven’t played in the Granddaddy of Them All since 1965.
Southern California would be the beneficiary of a Ducks upset -though the Trojans are likely to land on their feet no matter what happens with the Beavers.
The Trojans, who lost to Oregon State in September, need only to beat UCLA on Dec. 6 to be outright Pac-10 champions if the Beavers stumble.
This weekend, USC tunes up by playing Notre Dame in the Coliseum. With two victories, the Trojans are a lock to receive an at-large bid to the BCS, though they could be relegated to the Fiesta Bowl. That’s not exactly slumming it.
Or USC could end up in the national title game with some help.
The BCS deemed six teams – not including Utah – with no chance to win an automatic berth but still under consideration for a BCS at-large bid.
While Boise State, Ball State, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Texas Christian were surely happy to know the BCS thinks they’re special, the reality is only the Buckeyes have a realistic chance to play in one of the four marquee bowl games.
nd Broncos remain undefeated, one of the big bowls might consider inviting a second BCS Buster – then pick USC or Ohio State.
Georgia has two losses and was beaten badly by both Florida and Alabama. The Bulldogs BCS chances? Whatever is as close to zero as possible without actually being zero.
Oklahoma State? Beating Oklahoma would throw the national title and Big 12 races for a loop, but it still won’t be enough to get the Cowboys a BCS bid over Texas or Texas Tech, which both beat Okie State.
TCU is 14th in the latest BCS standings and pretty much required to be on the list of BCS eligible teams because of that. But if a team could truly have less than no chance to receive a BCS bid, that would be the Horned Frogs. Enjoy the Las Vegas Bowl.
The picks:
Thursday
M (plus 35) at No. 4 Texas
Aggies have won two straight; Longhorns need lopsided win … TEXAS 52-14.
Friday
Fresno State (plus 21) at No. 9 Boise State
Broncos have won six of seven against Bulldogs … BOISE STATE 45-20.
Mississippi State (plus 14) at No. 25 Mississippi
Egg Bowl win could send Houston Nutt’s Rebels to Cotton Bowl … OLE MISS 27-10.
Saturday
Auburn (plus 14) at No. 1 Alabama
Is Tommy Tuberville’s job on line at Auburn? … ALABAMA 28-12.
No. 2 Florida (plus 16 1/2) at No. 23 Florida State
four straight, but ‘Noles should be feisty … FLORIDA 35-21.
No. 3 Oklahoma (plus 7) at No. 11 Oklahoma State
Bedlam! No not this rivalry, we’re talking Big 12 South … OKLAHOMA 50-28.
Notre Dame (plus 32 1/2) at No. 5 Southern California
Trojans often play as if they lack motivation; not this week … USC 45-6.
Baylor (plus 21 1/2) at No. 7 Texas Tech
Dear Bears, Good luck. Sincerely, Bevo … TEXAS TECH 54-21.
Kansas (plus 16) vs. No. 12 Missouri at Kansas City
Big 12 North clinched, but Tigers still motivated … MISSOURI 46-28.
No. 18 Georgia Tech (plus 8 1/2) at No. 13 Georgia
Bulldogs have won seven straight in series … GEORGIA TECH 28-24.
Syracuse (plus 22) at No. 16 Cincinnati
The Greg Robinson era comes to end at Syracuse … CINCINNATI 38-10.
No. 19 Oregon (plus 3) at No. 17 Oregon State
Ducks have supporters from Happy Valley to the OC … OREGON 28-27.
Maryland (plus 7) at No. 20 Boston College
BC goes to ACC title game with win; Terps win sends ‘Noles … MARYLAND 24-21.
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Last week: 7-6 (straight); 5-7 (vs. points).
Season: 184-55 (straight); 117-105-1 (vs. points).
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