Posted on 12/02/2007 1:08:47 PM PST by diamond6
In the 10 years of the BCS era, we've seen pretty much everything.
Perhaps the only major development we've yet to see is a two-loss team in the BCS Championship Game. Later today, that one should become a reality.
The million-dollar question is: Which two-loss team will it be?
Jim Tressel has watched as other teams have helped Ohio State's title cause.
At least seven teams, including once-beaten Ohio State and Kansas, are likely to receive second-place votes in the polls. If the voters rank teams based on perceived strength (who would win on a neutral field), any number of championship game possibilities exist. But what if they vote on merit?
The Contenders It's always difficult to make assumptions when it comes to the BCS, but it would be shocking if Ohio State (11-1) didn't finish in the top two, and it would be fairly surprising if the Buckeyes weren't ranked No. 1. Here's a look at the teams in contention to face (presumably) OSU for all the marbles.
Immediately behind Ohio State in the current BCS standings are Georgia and Kansas, which failed to win their respective divisions in conference play. Some people might think this is no big deal because two teams in the BCS era have played for the national title without winning their conference championship. It should be pointed out, however, that neither of those teams -- Nebraska in 2001 and Oklahoma in 2003 -- was ranked in the top two of the polls at the end of the regular season, so neither would have played for the title under the current BCS formula.
Georgia (10-2) is at a further disadvantage because it plays in the SEC, which was won by LSU (11-2), and the Bulldogs don't have a head-to-head win over the Tigers to strengthen Dawgs' case against the big cats.
Kansas (11-1) will get consideration for being the only major-conference team other than Ohio State with fewer than two losses, but the Jayhawks don't have a single victory over a team that's even receiving votes in the AP poll.
Virginia Tech (11-2) at least has a conference championship on its résumé, but the Hokies also have a 41-point loss to LSU that's hard for voters to ignore. And the Tigers' two losses, for whatever it's worth, did come in triple overtime.
USC (10-2) won the Pac-10, but as fate would have it, the Trojans ended up with just two wins over teams with a winning record (Arizona State and Oregon State). Even if that doesn't hurt them in the polls, it certainly will hold them back in the computers in relation to the other two-loss teams.
Then there's Big 12 champion Oklahoma (11-2), which should make a late surge after a convincing win over No. 1 Missouri (a squad OU topped for the second time this season). But will it be enough to help the Sooners climb all the way from No. 9 into the BCS top two?
Based on the current standings and what each team accomplished this season, I expect it to be Ohio State vs. LSU in the Allstate BCS Championship Game on Jan. 7 in New Orleans.
But that's based simply on logic, which left this 2007 season many, many weeks ago.
Projecting the BCS Projecting the BCS matchups is as difficult as ever, thanks in large part to the uncertainty over which teams will be playing in the championship game. Using my prediction of Ohio State vs. LSU as a starting point, here's how I expect the rest of the BCS bowls to be filled. If any team other than LSU is playing the Buckeyes, you can throw all of this out the window.
Let's start with the natural tie-ins. Big 12 champion Oklahoma goes to the Fiesta Bowl, Pac-10 winner USC goes to the Rose Bowl, and ACC champ Virginia Tech goes to the Orange Bowl.
Assuming Ohio State is ranked No. 1, the first pick belongs to the Rose, which must replace the Buckeyes. Illinois, which will become eligible for an at-large spot by moving into the BCS top 14, is the logical pick to preserve the game's Big Ten vs. Pac-10 tradition.
If LSU is ranked No. 2, the Sugar chooses next, and Georgia makes the most sense to fill the spot vacated by the SEC champion.
The next pick goes to the Orange Bowl, and this is where things get tricky. On the surface, West Virginia looks like the choice, but because of the deflating nature of WVU's season-ending loss, I can see the Orange going with Kansas. As an old Big Eight school, KU even has a traditional connection to that game.
If Kansas is taken by the Orange, the only teams available to the Fiesta would be West Virginia and Hawaii. In this case, the Fiesta would select WVU, which would leave Hawaii for the Sugar.
Allstate BCS National Championship Game Ohio State (Big Ten champ) vs. LSU (SEC champ)
The Rose Bowl Game Presented by Citi USC (Pac-10 champ) vs. Illinois (at-large)
Allstate Sugar Bowl Georgia (at-large) vs. Hawaii (at-large)
FedEx Orange Bowl Virginia Tech (ACC champ) vs. Kansas (at-large)
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Oklahoma (Big 12 champ) vs. West Virginia (Big East champ)
Yes, it does. I hate the traditionalists. That is why we are stuck with the BcS crap.
Bad choice...USC wins 56-10 or something like that.
VT vs Kansas in the Orange Bowl, that is a fair match up.
WV vs Oklahoma in the Fiesta
Fiesta Bowl - West Virginia vs. Oklahoma
Orange Bowl - KAnsas vs. Virginia Tech
Missouri Slaps Kansas like Red headed step children and get SPIT on by the BCS.
lame because Fox has most of the broadcast rights?
ESPN can blow me
Ha, ha, ha. Yeah. Good luck, Illini.
I think VT v. Kansas sucks, too.
LSU vs Ohio State
Somebody hand me a barf bag. I’m not watching piece of poop.
Is Hawaii getting in?!
Must be Georgia v. Hawaii, I would think in the Sugar Bowl.
Yep...LSU/OSU.
I wish we coud have seen USC/Georgia.
These matchups are pretty lame.
Yes.
Why the hell don’t they have a bracket system like a real championship would?
This is why I don’t watch football.
This type of political crap.
Right now Ohio State is thinking to themselves, “Thank GOD it’s not Florida!!’ LOL :)
I would have actually liked to see USC/Hawaii in the Rose. Outstanding Hawaii offense vs. USC’s #2 ranked defense.
Actually, they’re saying,”ANYBODY, but USC!”
I would love to see USC v. Hawaii, too.
OK, NOW. LET’S GET TO HAWAII!!!
The National Championship Game sucks! Let’s talk about something else.
Anyway here is waht I see
LSu 16 OSU 13
USC 45 Illinois 30
Oklahoma 38 West Virginia 28
Va tech 27 Kansas 10
Georgia 48 Hawaii 31
I think so, too. What if nobody comes?
Oh, well, it’s the Orange Bowl and it’s New Year’s - people go to party, so who cares who’s playing?
Quit the gabbing, ESPN! I thought we had 5 BCS games!
What the hell!
Hawaii gets two straight games against SEC opponents, they open next season at The Swamp.
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