As expected, LSU and Alabama are the two top teams in the very first BCS poll released this week. The two SEC schools are followed by a pair of Big 12 schools, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The winners of the Nov. 5 LSU-Alabama and Dec. 3 Oklahoma-Oklahoma State games could emerge as the teams playing for the national title. However, Boise State, Wisconsin, Clemson and Stanford may beg to differ.
BCS Debut
The BCS poll debuts midseason, giving everyone perhaps the clearest picture of how these teams rank. This poll takes average ratings from the USA Today/Coaches poll, the Harris interactive collegiate poll and combined computer rankings from six sources notes Troy Oppie, writing for KBOI2.com
Boise State fans will probably be mad about my analysis of the strength of its schedule when compared to the teams immediately following it. Should the Broncos go 12-0, they’ll play a BCS game. But, they’ll likely fall behind Wisconsin, Clemson and Stanford if the Badgers, Tigers and Cardinal also go undefeated. You can blame TCU for that as the Horned Frogs simply aren’t as strong as they were last season. That only leaves Georgia as the sole ranked team the Broncos have played this year and as of this publication, Georgia isn’t a top 25 BCS team.
Kansas State
Rounding out the next four positions are Arkansas, Oregon, Kansas State and Virginia Tech. Kansas State is the biggest surprise, but it will soon run into difficult territory as its seeks to navigate through its conference schedule in coming weeks. A 2-4 Kansas team is up next, a Jayhawk eleven that is giving up 49 points per game. As long as the Wildcats are not looking ahead, they should win and then get ready to take on #3 Oklahoma, #4 Oklahoma State, #17 Texas A&M and #24 Texas in consecutive weeks . My guess is that KSU will do no better than 2-2 and could easily lose three or four games during that difficult stretch.
Among the top games this weekend has defending national champion and #20 ranked Auburn visited top-ranked LSU. This game offers the Auburn Tigers a chance to show that they’re still competitive with the SEC elite, but playing on the road against the LSU Tigers will be its toughest challenge year to date.
Michigan State
Michigan State is now ranked #16, fresh off of its victory over the Michigan Wolverines. They’re hosting #6 Wisconsin this Saturday with the Badgers leading the nation in scoring, averaging 50 points per game. Likely, Wisconsin won’t hit that number against one of the better defenses in the country. The Spartans give up about 11 points per game. Oh, by the way, the Badgers are giving up just 10 point per game.
The Washington Huskies are back! Back in the top 25, ranked #25 in the BCS poll. Their only loss this season was to Nebraska and, with #8 Stanford up next, the Huskies will be kept busy trying to contain Andrew Luck. Good luck with that!
Barring upsets, the top twelve BCS teams should stay in order this week. However, upsets do happen which means a reshuffling could offer some surprises next week.
References
KBOI2.com: Boise State 5th in BCS Debut
ESPN: College Football Schedule
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
end of post idea
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
view home improvement ideas at our Photo Remodeling center
Helpful article? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please share this article within your social networks.