BCS Breakdown Week 10: Lost?

Three weeks into the BCS polls, there have been three different number one teams. Three different conferences have felt the pride of fostering the number one team, and three potential ‘BCS Busters’ are knocking on the door, along with a strong one-loss team.

It is a seemingly endless game of leap-frog with teams shuffling backwards and forwards due to the single fact of the games played that week. Auburn and Oregon both won. Oregon jumps over because of the strength of their game. Boise State and TCU both won. TCU jumps Boise because of reasons unknown to man. Utah jumps Alabama because of the sole fact of being an undefeated team.

With so many potential plots, characters, and interpretations that would even leave Lost writers jealous, the only place where outcomes are tangible are within the imagination. There may be no islands, shadow creatures, or alternate universes, but one can only imagine what this ‘omniscient’ BCS beast will throw upon the football universe next.
The rankings this week are:

1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. TCU
4. Boise State
5. Utah
6. Alabama
7. Nebraska
8. Oklahoma
9. Wisconsin
10. LSU

Potential Outcomes

The Optimistic BCS

The easiest, least controversial outcome would be both Oregon and Auburn winning out for the remainder of the year. Then, there would be little debate, as last year, with the only two remaining BCS-conference teams playing in the championship game.

As much as the college football analysts, voters, and computer code would like to see that happen, the chances are very slim. Oregon has #15 Arizona at home, and a potential slip-up game on the road against California. Also, do not count out a feisty Oregon State team that breeds off of their hatred for the ducks.

Auburn has a revamped Georgia team at home which could possibly be dangerous. Of course, everyone is looking ahead to the potential winner-takes-all Iron Bowl that may include conference and national championship implications.

The Pessimistic BCS

The less favorable, more controversial outcome would be both Oregon and Alabama winning out along with two of the three non-BCS teams. Then, the BCS is left with the decision that could ultimately be its demise.

If Alabama wins out, they will have played #10 LSU, #20 Mississippi State, #2 Auburn, and, most likely, #19 South Carolina in the SEC Championship game.

Group that together with then ranked #18 Penn State, #10 Arkansas, and #7 Florida, and Alabama has played the same amount of ranked teams as TCU, Boise State, and Utah have and will have played combined.

So, the decision rests on whether a program with a stronger schedule and more prestige shall overcome an undefeated team.

The Apocalyptic BCS

The worst, most controversial, one in a million outcome would be both Auburn and Oregon losing and two non-BCS teams controlling one and two.

With one loss Alabama, Oklahoma, Stanford, and Ohio State possibly breathing down the BCS-buster’s necks, the BCS will ultimately face its demise. There will be controversy no matter the outcome.

TCU versus Boise State would be argued as bad for football, ratings, and the schedule of stronger teams. Alabama versus Boise State would leave TCU in an uproar as well as a strong one loss BCS team. Alabama versus Nebraska would continue the argument for the non-qualifying teams.

Conclusion

To the omniscient BCS, football gods, or whoever is out there, tread carefully. Maybe you planned a revolution of some kind, but the time is near. Depending on how this postseason shapes up, your look for the ‘perfect’ system is most likely going to be dissected and scrutinized.

In the end, it may be the best moving forward, but it has been tyrannizing us as fans for years now.