I feel completely justified in having poured cold water on the BCS disaster scenarios given what happened last weekend. It seems people start up with those earlier and earlier each year. I will say my favorite was an undefeated SEC champ against undefeated Oklahoma in the BCS title game while undefeated Stanford and undefeated Wisconsin played each other in the Rose Bowl. Any time you can stick it to Jim Delany and the other fogies who impede improvement in the sport, you do it.
Anyway, here's our weekly check of how many unbeaten teams through this point in the year over the last five seasons. They are listed in order of rank in the AP Poll.
- 2006 (7): Ohio State, USC, Michigan, West Virginia, Louisville, Boise State, Rutgers
- 2007 (6):Ohio State, South Florida, Boston College, Arizona State, Kansas, Hawai'i
- 2008 (9): Texas, Alabama, Penn State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Utah, Boise State, Ball State, Tulsa
- 2009 (7): Florida, Alabama, Texas, Cincinnati, Boise State, Iowa, TCU
- 2010 (7): Oregon, Boise State, Auburn, TCU, Michigan State, Missouri, Utah
- 2010 (8): LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Boise State, Clemson, Kansas State, Houston
The eight undefeated teams we have now are about right for this time of year.
RED ALERT
Clemson, Kansas State
Clemson is traveling to Georgia Tech tomorrow. The Yellow Jackets have had a rough couple of weeks, but critically, the Tigers haven't had the often necessary extra week to prepare against Paul Johnson's scheme. Triple option teams tend to vary quite a bit from week to week depending on if the option is really working or not, so CU had better watch out in case this is one of those really good weeks.
Kansas State is hosting an angry Oklahoma team that likely torched its national title hopes in losing to Texas Tech last week. OU typically struggles on the road, but it's still a better team than K-State is. Given that the Sooners are favored by 13.5 points in our pick 'em game, I'd say there's a pretty good chance of the Wildcats dropping this one.
JUST TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are getting a visit from Baylor, and Robert Griffin gives his team a chance to win every time. The Waco Kid doesn't play defense though, so I still expect OSU to win comfortably.
DON'T SCREW THIS ONE UP
Stanford
True, the game is in L.A., but I can't understand why the line on this game is only 7.5 in Stanford's favor. It's a better team, and, more importantly, a far better coached team. USC has the edge in raw talent, but that's the end of it. The Cardinal should roll.
ENJOY THE COUCH
Alabama, Boise State, Houston, LSU
Alabama and LSU both have a bye week breather before their apocalyptic showdown. Boise likewise is off this weekend. Houston got its homework done ahead of time, dismissing Rice last night and seeing Case Keenum smash the career TD pass record while tossing 9 of them (!) on the night.