NCAA FB

FOX Sports Exclusive

BCS standings unchanged for top 8

Share This Story

Pete Fiutak

For more previews, predictions and prognostications, go to CollegeFootballNews.com.

MORE>>
Updated Nov 16, 2009 12:40 PM ET
     
 
And the big news is ... nothing. Florida, Alabama, Texas, TCU, Cincinnati, Boise State, Georgia Tech and LSU stayed put in the top eight. The TCU blasting of Utah didn't move the needle enough to get appreciably closer to Texas at No. 3, Ohio State was able to move from 11th to 10th, but nowhere near the range to be considered for anything other than the Rose Bowl, and Pitt and Oregon moved up a bit as USC and Iowa lost, but not enough to make an overall difference. A few huge winners in the discussion for an at-large bid were Oklahoma State, Penn State and Wisconsin. The Cowboys moved into range with a win over Texas Tech to go from 19th to 12th, while Wisconsin moved from 20th to 16th. Penn State has a strong chance to make a big statement against Michigan State, but after moving up from 18th to 14th, and one spot behind Iowa, it might take a Hawkeyes loss to Minnesota to get in. The other key climber was Stanford, which moved up from 27th to 17th after blowing out USC. If the Cardinal can win out, it might end up earning an at-large BCS slot if Oregon goes to the Rose Bowl. But overall, for the national championship chase, nothing up top is going to change unless Texas loses or the SEC champion has one loss (Florida needs to lose to Florida State or FIU or Alabama has to lose to Chattanooga or at Auburn). Other notes from the Week 5 rankings:
  • The ACC needs Georgia Tech to go 11-1, with a win over Georgia, before losing to Clemson (if the Tigers beat Virginia to win the Atlantic) to get two teams in. But the Yellow Jackets would have to make it close against the Tigers. With no conference other than the SEC assured of a second spot, Georgia Tech might be attractive.
  • Would Cincinnati get in with a loss to Pitt? It depends on whether the BCS thinks Bearcats fans would travel. UC would be a tough sell over Iowa, which would bring its tremendous fan base wherever it plays. Would a one-loss Cincinnati have more juice than an unbeaten Boise State? Not likely. The Bearcats are all but out of the national title talk at the moment, but if they can blow away the Panthers and finish a strong 12-0, they'll likely leapfrog the Horned Frogs in the human polls.
  • Shockingly, with losses to UTEP and UCF on the resume, Houston is still in the top 25 at No. 24.
  • In the argument about the nation's best conference, the Pac-10 can throw its hat into the ring with Oregon No. 11, Stanford No. 17, USC No. 18, Oregon State No. 19, Cal No. 25 and Arizona No. 26. The big winners: Oklahoma State (19th to 12th), Penn State (18th to 14th), Wisconsin (20th to 16th) The big losers: USC (9th to 18th), Miami (14th to 20th), Houston (15th to 24th)

    1. Florida, Score: 0.9833

    As sluggish as the Gators have been, they remain a firm No. 1. Both human polls have them in the top spot, as do three of the six computers. Realistically, it would take a miracle for Florida to lose to FIU or Florida State at home, but if the Gators did, that would be enough to potentially get knocked out of the national title chase if they went on to beat Alabama. The computers wouldn't take too kindly to a loss to the Golden Panthers or the weakened 'Noles. Predicted wins: FIU, Florida State, SEC Championship Predicted losses: None Predicted final record: 13-0 Predicted bowl: BCS Championship Toughest remaining tests: Florida State, SEC Championship

    2. Alabama, Score: 0.9521

    Being ranked first by three computers is enough to overcome being ranked third by both human polls. The Tide still controls its place in the national title chase, but unlike Florida, it still might be able to sneak into the BCS Championship with a loss. If 'Bama loses at Auburn but comes back to beat the No. 1 team impressively, it might be tough to vote in TCU or Cincinnati. Predicted wins: Chattanooga, at Auburn Predicted losses: SEC championship Predicted final record: 12-1 Predicted bowl: Sugar Bowl Toughest remaining tests: at Auburn

    3. Texas, Score: 0.9261

    The only worry is the lucky punch. Kansas hasn't shown anything on offense lately, but it has the potential to light up the scoreboard with good passing weapons, while Texas A&M has a flaky enough offense that it could go ballistic in the home rivalry game. The other concern might be the Nebraska defense, if the Huskers don't blow it against Kansas State. The last thing Texas wants to deal with is a Bo Pelini-coached defense that's told it doesn't have a chance. Predicted wins: Kansas, at Texas A&M, Big 12 championship Predicted losses: None Predicted final record: 13-0 Predicted bowl: BCS Championship Toughest remaining tests: at Texas A&M

    4. TCU, Score: 0.8698

    The Horned Frogs made their whopper of a statement in a blowout win against Utah and ... nothing. While it was an impressive performance, they might be overlooked for the No. 4 spot if Cincinnati performs well against Pitt. However, the win over the Utes was enough to cement the Frogs into the automatic bid for the non-BCS conference winner ahead of Boise State. Fourth in four of the computer polls, after being ranked No. 4 by five of them last week, they need some luck. Predicted wins: at Wyoming, New Mexico Predicted losses: None Predicted final record: 12-0 Predicted bowl: Sugar Bowl Toughest remaining tests: at Wyoming

    5. Cincinnati, Score: 0.8536

    The computers continue to be big fans, putting the Bearcats No. 3, but that could quickly fade away with a loss at Pitt to close out the Big East season or with a gaffe against an Illinois team with more talent than it has shown. Would they get in with an at-large bid with one loss? It would be an interesting debate with the Boise State fans, but the bigger overall question might be the national championship chase. If a miracle happens and there's an opening up top with a Texas loss or a one-loss SEC champion, because of the computers and because of how well Pitt is playing, there's a good shot an unbeaten Bearcats team could move up to No. 2 with the right breaks. Predicted wins: Illinois Predicted losses: at Pitt Predicted final record: 11-1 Predicted bowl: Meineke Car Care Bowl Toughest remaining tests: at Pitt

    6. Boise State, Score: 0.8130

    The Nevada game coming up should earn more respect than it's going to get. It's 100 percent about style points now. TCU isn't likely to lose again, so Boise State's debate will be with the ACC's second team (it wins that fight), Iowa or Penn State (it loses that one) and a Stanford team that would send 12 fans to Glendale (flip a coin on that if there's a chance for a Stanford-Iowa matchup). The computers knocked the Broncos down from seventh to sixth. Predicted wins: at Utah State, Nevada, New Mexico State Predicted losses: None Predicted final record: 12-0 Predicted bowl: Fiesta Bowl Toughest remaining tests: Nevada

    7. Georgia Tech, Score: 0.7607

    Can Georgia Tech get an at-large bid at 12-2 with a loss in the ACC championship? Not at 11-3, with a loss to Georgia, but maybe at 12-2 with a close loss to a hot Clemson. The Yellow Jackets moved up from seventh to sixth according to the computers, but are still firmly entrenched at No. 7 in the human polls with little room to move without some major upsets and a Cincinnati loss. Predicted wins: Georgia, ACC championship Predicted losses: None Predicted final record: 12-1 Predicted bowl: Orange Bowl Toughest remaining tests: Georgia

    8. LSU, Score: 0.6648

    On an island, LSU is bound for the Capital One Bowl. It can't get into the BCS, Florida and Alabama will take up the SEC's two spots and it's almost guaranteed to play on New Year's Day no matter what. The Tigers could lose to both Ole Miss and Arkansas, and at worst, end up in the Cotton Bowl. The humans aren't fans after the close call against Louisiana Tech, but the two losses came to Florida and Alabama; the computers like that. Predicted wins: at Ole Miss, Arkansas Predicted losses: None Predicted final Record: 10-2 Predicted bowl: Capital One Bowl Toughest remaining tests: at Ole Miss

    9. Pitt, Score: 0.6569

    The Panthers are in the discussion, but if they go 10-2 with a loss to Cincinnati, it likely won't be enough to earn an at-large BCS slot. The Backyard Brawl with West Virginia doesn't really matter; it's a one-game season. If they beat Cincinnati, they'll earn the Big East's BCS bid. On a six-game winning streak with a nationally televised win over Notre Dame, Pitt showed everyone how good it is. Now the Panthers get two big chances to make even bigger statements to both the humans and the computers. Predicted wins: at West Virginia , Cincinnati Predicted losses: None Predicted final record: 11-1 Predicted bowl: Orange Bowl Toughest remaining tests: at West Virginia, Cincinnati

    10. Ohio State, Score: 0.6495

    downlevel description
    This video requires the Adobe Flash Player. Download a free version of the player.
    It's funny how everyone refuses to cement Ohio State in the Rose Bowl as if there's some chance of sneaking into the BCS Championship. With the Buckeyes ranked 11th by the computers and with two losses, it's relatively safe to say that they can be prepared to leave Pasadena early in the first week of January instead of Jan. 8. Predicted wins: Michigan Predicted losses: None Predicted final record: 10-2 Predicted bowl: Rose Bowl Toughest remaining tests: None

    In range

    11. Oregon, Score: 0.6265 12. Oklahoma State, Score: 0.5628 13. Iowa, Score: 0.5318 14. Penn State, Score: 0.4529 15. Virginia Tech, Score: 0.4036 16. Wisconsin, Score: 0.3583 17. Stanford, Score: 0.3406 18. USC, Score: 0.2714 19. Oregon State, Score: 0.2487 20. Miami, Score: 0.1936
    • Tagged: Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Houston, Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan State, Utah, Boise State, New Mexico, Utah State, Arizona, Alabama, Oregon State, Stanford, LSU, Auburn, USC, Oregon, Florida, UTEP, Nevada, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame, Virginia, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, West Virginia, Kansas State, Virginia Tech, Kansas

    More Stories From Pete Fiutak



    Trending Now

    Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

    NCAA FB Videos

    FOX Sports Next: Top Classes Posted: Feb 10, 2012
    FOX Sports Next takes a look at which teams scored biggest on National Signing D...

    FOX Sports Next: Round Table Posted: Feb 10, 2012
    FOX Sports Next recaps all the drama that surrounded National Signing Day.

    Scout: Signing Day - Top Classes Posted: Feb 02, 2012
    Scout.com's Scott Kennedy gives you the top College Football recruiting classes ...

    MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

    Fox Sports Store

      itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
      Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/206368/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_206000/FF_206368_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt
      Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/454858/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_454000/FF_454858_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat
      adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/477038/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_477000/ff_477038_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet
      Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_State_Seminoles/browse/featuredproduct/520956/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_520000/ff_520956_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet
      Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kansas_State_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/681476/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_681000/ff_681476_xl.jpg&w=100 23.95 Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple
      Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Football Jersey - Crimson http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/771453/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_771000/ff_771453_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Footbal..
      Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/775105/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775105_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet
      Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Performance Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/776277/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776277_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Perfo..
      Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Charcoal http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oklahoma_State_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/780963/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_780000/ff_780963_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Cha..
    Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft