We may have another first for the BCS. The final ratings may not be the only ones that matter.
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| Bob Stoops' Sooners gain ground in the BCS standings. (US Presswire) |
In that regard, it was a good week for the Sooners. They pounded Texas Tech 65-21 and the voters were impressed. They jumped the Longhorns in the Harris poll, albeit by only 12 points. In the coaches poll, they not only moved by Texas, they also passed Florida for No. 2.
Oklahoma also gained ground on Texas in the computers, cutting the margin almost in half from last week. The Sooners figure to close even more if they beat the Cowboys while Texas plays Texas A&M.
Despite the beatdown, Texas Tech isn't out of the title chase just yet. A win over Baylor and an Oklahoma loss sends the Red Raiders to Kansas City. Don't let their No. 7 ranking this week fool you. Texas Tech (12-1) would be a strong BCS title game contender.
The first two BCS berths were clinched on Saturday. Penn State won the Big Ten 49-18 over Michigan State, and barring some sort of Armageddon scenario, will play in the Rose Bowl.
Utah also secured a BCS spot by whipping in-state rival BYU 48-24. The Utes are sixth in this week's standings and are assured of being the highest rated non-major conference champion. They are headed for the Sugar Bowl or the Orange Bowl.
Boise State moved to 11-0 with a 41-34 win over Nevada. The Broncos are ninth in the BCS this week, but they can't realistically catch Utah, even with a win next week over Fresno State. That means there will be no room for them in the BCS Inn, and they will have to spend their Christmas somewhere else.
Ball State is also 11-0 after beating Central Michigan 31-24. The Cardinals have moved up to 15th, which puts them in a BCS-eligible position because they are rated higher than the best teams in the Big East and the ACC. Like Boise State, they would be eligible to be picked for a BCS bowl, but wouldn't be attractive enough to get the call.
Oregon State moved one step closer to the Rose Bowl with a 19-17 win at Arizona. Only Oregon stands in the way of the Beavers getting another shot at Penn State. The Rose Bowl folks, who so desperately want to avoid a USC-Ohio State rematch, might get reminded that you need to be careful what you wish for.
Cincinnati is now one win away from its first Big East title and BCS appearance after beating Pittsburgh 28-21. All the Bearcats have to do now is beat league cellar-dweller Syracuse at home to finish the job.
People keep suggesting that the ACC should not be allowed to send a team to the BCS because none of them are very highly rated. Certainly, the teams are playing like they don't want to go. Over the last six weeks, the highest-rated ACC team in the BCS standings is 1-5, and so is the second highest-rated team. This week, Miami and Maryland entered the weekend in control of their own destinies for the ACC title game, so naturally, they lost. That control now passes to Boston College and Virginia Tech. Poor guys.
