The top three teams in the BCS standings all won this week, but it was still a rough week for the top 10. The result is we have a non-major knocking on the door of the BCS title game.
In the most anticipated game of the weekend, Alabama beat LSU 24-15 and moved back up to No. 2 in the BCS. The Tide passed Texas because of their increased computer strength. The voters still like the Longhorns, who beat Central Florida easily 35-3.
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| Andy Dalton and TCU are up to No. 4 in the BCS standings. (US Presswire) |
In one play, Iowa's season turned completely around. The Hawkeyes led Northwestern 10-0 early in the second quarter and seemed to be in control when quarterback Ricky Stanzi was sacked and injured. He also fumbled, which was recovered by NU for a touchdown. Stanzi did not return and will not for next week's game at Ohio State. Iowa did not score with freshman QB James Vandenberg under center, and the Wildcats came back to win 17-10.
Now, Iowa's hopes for winning the Big Ten seem severely damaged, as do its chances for making any BCS game at all. The Hawkeyes took a beating in the polls, falling to 15th in the AP and 13th in the coaches, and are 10th overall in the BCS ratings. One more loss may make it difficult for them to even qualify for the BCS at-large pool.
TCU is now in the on-deck circle at No. 4 after beating San Diego State 55-12. That matches the highest rating for a non-major team, matching Boise State's position in the initial BCS rankings of this season.
Voters were impressed with TCU this week, moving them past both Boise State and Cincinnati in the Harris poll, and the Frogs extended their lead over the Bearcats in the coaches poll.
That doesn't mean TCU would automatically move up if two of the teams ahead of them get beat. Like most non-majors, it has to continue to play well to have a chance of maintaining its spot. And the Horned Frogs have to watch their backs.
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BCS: Frogs up to 4th, Gators still 1st | Standings |
In this case, that means Cincinnati, which is No. 5 in the BCS after piling up 711 yards in a 47-45 win over Connecticut. While TCU gained ground on the Bearcats in the polls, Cincinnati has the better schedule down the stretch, which means better opportunities to impress voters.
Cincy also extended its lead over the Horned Frogs in the computers, and that lead figures only to get bigger as the season goes on.
It was not a good week though for Boise State in its bid to claim the one guaranteed spot that goes to the highest rated non-major conference champion. The Broncos held off a Louisiana Tech rally to win 45-35. The Broncos continue to lose ground in the polls and are firmly established at the bottom of the list of undefeated teams.
Oregon came out flat at Stanford and got steamrolled by Toby Gerhart and the Cardinal 51-42. The Ducks will still go to the Rose Bowl if they win out, but are in the position of Rose Bowl or nothing when it comes to making the BCS.
That game also hurt Boise State, not so much in the computers, but in the minds of voters because Oregon is easily the Broncos' best win. The Ducks were also their floor in the polls.
Ohio State kept its Rose bowl hopes alive with a 24-7 win at Penn State. The Buckeyes shot up in the polls to No. 10 in the AP and No. 8 in the coaches. They are one ahead of USC in the AP and two in front of the Trojans in the coaches. USC beat Ohio State earlier this year. However, the Trojans can take some solace in the fact that they are way ahead of Oregon in the polls, just one week after the Ducks embarrassed them. And people don't trust the computers.
