There are only three weeks left in the college football season.
And there are still seven teams alive for a shot at the BCS title.
Which seven teams and what do they need to do to advance to the BCS title?
Let's dive in and see.
Here we go.
1. Alabama
Games remaining:
Chattanooga
at Auburn
SEC title game vs. either Missouri or South Carolina?
Road to the BCS title game: It's simple, win out.
2. Florida State
Games remaining:
Idaho
at Florida
ACC title game
Road to the BCS title game: It feels unseemly to talk about because sports are relatively insignificant relative to criminal investigations, but the biggest threat to FSU's title game appearance is Jameis Winston's sexual assault investigation. If he's charged with a felony, the 'Noles lose their title chance even if they're still undefeated.
Why?
Because pollsters would justifiably drop FSU beneath Baylor, Ohio State, or a one-loss Oregon or SEC champ if Winston wasn't eligible to play.
3. Baylor
Games remaining:
at Oklahoma State
at TCU
Texas
Road to the BCS title game: Win out and hope that either Alabama or Florida State loses.
4. Ohio State
Games remaining:
Indiana
at Michigan
Big Ten title game
Road to the BCS title game: Win out and hope that two of Alabama, FSU, or Baylor lose. Also hope that a one-loss team doesn't leap you. Think this is absurd? Auburn has already passed Ohio State in the computers. If it came down to the Buckeyes vs. 12-1 Auburn coming off back-to-back wins over Alabama and Missouri or South Carolina, do you really feel confident Ohio State would be in the game? I certainly don't.
5. Oregon
at Arizona
Oregon State
Pac 12 title game
Road to the BCS title game: Left for dead on the side of the road after being hit by a Stanford bus, Oregon has now stood up. The road to the BCS title game is still a difficult one, but if Oregon wins out and Florida State, Baylor and Ohio State all lose, voila, the Ducks are back in the BCS title game as the top one loss team. Unfortunately for the Ducks an Alabama loss wouldn't help that much because the team that beats Bama would probably become the top one loss team in the country.
6. Auburn
Alabama
SEC title game vs. Missouri or South Carolina?
Road to the BCS title game: Beat Alabama in the final game of the regular season and then beat Missouri or South Carolina in the SEC title game. A 12-1 Auburn team would stand a good chance of catching undefeated Ohio State and making it a serious battle in the polls. Given that Auburn has already passed Ohio State in the computers, how could the Tigers's computer standings drop by playing Alabama and Missouri or South Carolina left on the schedule?
So it would come down to the polls.
Is a 12-1 Auburn more impressive than a 13-0 Ohio State?
What about a 12-1 Auburn against a 13-0 Baylor?
If there are two undefeated teams left then Auburn would be left out in the cold, but if it comes down to pollsters deciding between a one-loss SEC team or a no loss Big 12 or Big Ten team? Don't write off the one-loss SEC team yet.
7. Missouri
at Ole Miss
Texas A&M
SEC title game?
Road to the BCS title game: Win out and hope that Florida State and Baylor lose. A 12-1 Mizzou with three top 25 BCS wins in a row to end the season would have a hell of a resume. Especially since it would be capped off with an SEC title game win over Alabama or Auburn.
There's no doubt the SEC champ would be the top one-loss team, but how high could Mizzou climb against undefeated Ohio State or Baylor?
If there are two undefeated teams left then Mizzou would be left out in the BCS title game cold, but if it comes down to pollsters deciding between a one-loss SEC team on a roll or a no loss Big 12 or Big Ten team? Don't write off the one-loss SEC team just yet.
