Cal-Stanford is the only game this week between BCS Top 25 teams, but that doesn't mean there aren't important games elsewhere.
In fact, we already had one.
Big 12 scenarios: No. 12 Oklahoma State did not have quarterback Zac Robinson on Thursday night and his backup, Alex Cate, was 0 for 9 with an interception in the first half. The Cowboys had three other turnovers. And yet, they won, beating Colorado 31-28.
Oklahoma State, which closes its season Nov. 28 at Oklahoma, could be the replacement for Texas in the Fiesta Bowl if the Longhorns go to the BCS Championship Game.
The North Division title in the Big 12 will be decided Saturday when Nebraska hosts Kansas State. The Cornhuskers have a half-game lead and would earn the outright title with a win. Much more is at stake for the Wildcats. A win would give them a shot at going to the Fiesta Bowl. A loss drops them to 6-6, but because two of those wins came over I-AA schools, they wouldn't be eligible for a bowl.
Pac-10 scenarios: The jumble at the top of the Pac-10 should get clarified some as well. Oregon, No. 11 in the BCS, travels to Arizona in a battle for control of the league race. Either team goes to the Rose Bowl if it wins out. Arizona is the only Pac-10 team that has never played in the Rose Bowl.
If the Wildcats win this week, No. 19 Oregon State is still in the race. The Beavers need to win their last two, including this week's game with Washington State. They also need an Arizona win this week, plus a loss by the Wildcats against Arizona State.
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No. 17 Stanford also has a chance to get to the Rose Bowl, but its scenario is a little more convoluted. The Cardinal need losses by Arizona, Oregon and Oregon State at some point. First, though, there is the not-so-little matter of the Big Game against No. 25 Cal.
ACC scenarios: No. 23 Clemson looks to secure a spot in the ACC title game when it takes on Virginia. The Tigers may have already clinched by the time they kick off, though. Boston College takes on North Carolina earlier in the day, and if the Eagles lose, Clemson is the division champ.
Big Ten scenarios: The Big Ten race is over, but there are teams still jockeying for position for a possible BCS at-large berth on the league's rivalry weekend.
Iowa, No. 13 in the BCS, needs a win over Minnesota in the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy to stop a two-game losing streak and ensure that it is eligible to be picked for a BCS game. The Hawkeyes have not won since QB Ricky Stanzi was injured, and he will not be available again.
No. 14 Penn State is the Hawkeyes' biggest competition for a BCS berth. The Nittany Lions, like Iowa, will fill any stadium their team is sent to, but they are a bigger draw on television. First, Penn State has to go to East Lansing and beat Michigan State for the Land Grant Trophy.
Wisconsin is flying under the radar, but is still in the hunt. The Badgers are currently 16th in the rankings and would not get selected for a BCS game unless both Iowa and Penn State lost, but in order to keep that possibility open, they need to win at Northwestern this week.
