Monday, November 29, 2010

BCS Rankings: Auburn Passes Oregon, TCU Still Third, Stanford Now Fourth

Auburn and Oregon swapped spots atop the BCS rankings released Sunday, but the most important thing for the Tigers and Ducks is to remain first or second when the final rankings are released on Dec. 5.

Auburn (12-0) had been second to Oregon (11-0) the past four weeks, but barely slipped past the Ducks as the No. 1 BCS-ranked team after the Tigers' win at Alabama Friday. The Ducks also were impressive, defeating Arizona, but still slipped to No. 2.

The top two teams in next week's final BCS rankings advance to the BCS title game Jan. 10 in Glendale, Ariz.

TCU (12-0) remained No. 3 but since Boise State (10-1), which was No. 4 last week, was upset at Nevada and plummeted in the latest rankings, the Horned Frogs are guaranteed their first BCS bowl berth as the highest ranked non-automatic qualifying BCS team.

LSU (10-2), ranked No. 5 last week, also lost on Friday, allowing Stanford (11-1) to climb two spots to No. 4 this week.

That is significant for the Cardinal because the top four ranked teams in next week's final BCS rankings are guaranteed a BCS bowl berth. Since TCU, Stanford and Wisconsin, which is fifth this week, have completed their regular season schedules, it is highly unlikely Stanford would fall lower than fourth in next week's rankings, guaranteeing the Cardinal a BCS bowl berth.

Wisconsin (11-1) finished in a three-way tie for the Big Ten title with Ohio State (11-1) and Michigan State (11-1), but the Badgers will represent the league in the Rose Bowl because they have the highest BCS ranking.


In the Big 12, Oklahoma (10-2), Oklahoma State (10-2) and Texas A&M (9-3) finished in a three-way tie in the Big 12 South, but Oklahoma advanced to Saturday's Big 12 championship game against Nebraska (10-2) in Arlington, Texas, because the Sooners ranked above the Cowboys and Aggies in this week's BCS rankings.

Texas A&M defeated both of the Big 12 championship participants – Oklahoma and Nebraska – but didn't advance to the Big 12 title game because of a lower BCS ranking.

The Big East's BCS bowl representative will be determined Saturday. UConn (7-4) can earn its first BCS bowl berth by winning at South Florida. West Virginia (8-3) and Pittsburgh (6-5) also can win the Big East's bid, but need to win their final games against Rutgers and Cincinnati, respectively, and need UConn to lose. The Big East champion is expected to play in the Fiesta Bowl against the Big 12 champion – Oklahoma or Nebraska.

The ACC champion – either Virginia Tech (10-2) or Florida State (9-3) – will play in the Orange Bowl against an at-large selection, most likely Stanford. However, there is a possibility if West Virginia wins the Big East, the Orange Bowl would select the Mountaineers, which would send Stanford to the Fiesta Bowl against the Big 12 champion.

The Fiesta Bowl has the last selection, which is why the Big East champion is expected to end up in Arizona.

Here are FanHouse's BCS bowl projections based on Auburn defeating South Carolina in Saturday's SEC championship and Oregon defeating Oregon State Saturday.

BCS title game
– Auburn vs. Oregon

Rose – TCU vs. Wisconsin

Sugar – Arkansas vs. Ohio State

Orange – Virginia Tech vs. Stanford

Fiesta – Oklahoma vs. UConn

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