BCS Standings to Look Different

You knew it would happen. It pretty much happens every week with the BCS standings and how they will have a bit of a makeover after yesterday's games. All to get their chance at winning a National Chamionship Trophy similar to the one on the left.

#2 Alabama had week off but there were a few outcomes that will shake it all up...again. And the Crimson Tide could actually fall to #3.

#1 Florida and #3 Texas both won in convincing fashion. The Gators mashed the Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville, 41-17. The Longhorns went into Stillwater and toppled #14 Oklahoma State, 41-14.

The highest team to suffer a loss was #5 USC. The Trojans were on the road, but because the margin of victory was the largest in the Pete Carroll era. The #10 Oregon Ducks dealt the Trojans a 47-20 thumping in Eugene. But Oregon is not the only beneficiary of this win. The team to get the most from this game's outcome is #7 Boise State who defeated Oregon the first week of the season, 19-8. The Broncos defeated San Jose State, 45-7.

The next highest to be dealt a setback was #13 Virginia Tech...and they were at home and their ACC Championship dreams were dealt a severe blow. Two field goals in the last 4 minutes did the Hokies in, the last coming courtesy of a fumble at their own 25. The North Carolina Tar Heels got their first ACC win of the season, 20-17.

The biggest scare (on Halloween, no less) was #4 Iowa. It looked like the Indiana Hoosiers were well on their way to pulling off the upset. Then, the tricks began to happen to Indiana. First, a freakish interception by Iowa that was returned for a TD. It looked like Indiana had answered with a TD of their own, but the replay official overtruned the call. The Hoosiers then missed a field goal attempt. Did I mention that Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi threw 5 interceptions, and that 4 of those were in the third quarter? Wind had a lot to do with that.

To the 4th, and here...we...go! Stanzi goes 3- 3 in the 4th for over 180 yards and 2 TD as the Hawkeyes scored 28 in the final "stanza" and pull off a stunning win, 42-24. The Hawkeyes remain undefeated despite always having to come from behind...or so it seems.

The other undefeated teams, #6 TCU and #8 Cincinnati continued their winning ways. The Horned Frogs scored often in a 41-0 victory over UNLV. The Bearcats, once again with backup QB Zack Callaros leading the way, beat Syracuse, 28-7.

Here's the Top 10 plays from Saturday from ESPN.com





One last thing. Is it possible that Lane Kiffin may have taken the Halloween thing a bit too far. The Vols were in all orange for warmups. When Kiffin & Co. emerged from the tunnel to start their game against Steve Spurrier and the #22 South Carolina Gamecocks, the trick was on the "Ol' Ball Coach"...and those that also watched Tennessee take down the Gamecocks, 31-13. Opinions?

Kiffin? Over the top? Nah.

First BCS Standings Show Gators on Top

The first "issue" of the BCS standings were released yesterday, and while we know these will change from week to week, there's always a couple of interesting points to debate. It's no different this time around. A quick peek of the top 5.

1. Florida (6-0) - The Gators used a field goal with 0:09 left to escape an upset bid from Arkansas in its last game (at The Swamp). They also survived one of the toughest atmospheres in all of college sports by beating LSU at night in Baton Rouge, 13-3. QB Tim Tebow (right) has been slowly coming along since his concussion against Kentucky, but the Gators do need more offense. Next up for the Gators: they travel to Mississippi State to face former offensive coordinator and the Bulldogs' new head coach Dan Mullen. Think Mullen knows a thing or two about Florida's offense? Also down the road is the party in Jacksonville against the Georgia Bulldogs.

2. Alabama (7-0) - The Tide jumped over Florida in the AP poll, but that poll is not a factor in the BCS' crazy formula, b ut it still commands attention. Pardon the pun, but maybe the tide is turning in Bama's favor. If things hold up, and at this time of year you just never know if it will or not, the Crimson Tide is on a direct collision course with Florida in the SEC Championship Game with the winner most likely holding down the BCS #1 slot along with a shot at the National Title. Nick Saban and crew have a interestng games ahead: #9 LSU, at Mississippi State, and at Auburn to close out the regular season. I do have this question: Why is hardly anyone mentioning RB Mark Ingram (left) as a legit Heisman candidate? Just thinking out loud, I guess.

3. Texas (6-0) - The Longhorns went to the Cotton Bowl and defeated Oklahoma, 16-13, in the Red River Rivalry. Although it wasn't prtty, QB Colt McCoy (right) and the Longhorns found a way to get the victory. The road to a potential National Championship game doesn't come without possible bumps in Texas' road. This week, it's a night game in Columbia against Missouri. The following week is another road tilt in Stillwater to face the #15 Oklahoma State Cowboys. They have #25 Kansas in Austin and the final regular season game at Texas A&M. If they get by those  lurks the Big 12 Championship Game. Lots a work ahead for Mack Brown and the boys..

4. Boise State (6-0) - The Broncos have the toughest task of any of the top 5 teams. QB Kellen Moore (left) and his Broncos teammates must run the table and have at least a handful of teams ahead and behind them stumble down the road. The hardest part of Boise State's schedule is somewhat behind them. Going to Louisiana Tech will not be a walk in the park despite the fact that Tech is only a 3-3 team. Two big home dates with Nevada and Idaho are games where quite possibly the Broncos can stabilize their ranking, but being at home may also hurt them as far as the BCS is concerned. Exactly how far can an opening week win at home against #16 Oregon carry these guys? It's got the Broncos this far and if the Ducks continue to play well, it can carry Boise State pretty far.

5. Cincinnati (6-0) - The Bearcats hopes could hinge on the health of QB Tony Pike (right) and his wrist. A plate was inserted in Pike's non-throwing wrist last year and during the Bearcats last game at South Florida, Pike took a ht and fell on that wrist. He was forced to leave the game and his chances of playing in UC's next game against Louisville was doubtful at best. That may change as UC head coach Brian Kelly tells The Cincinnati Enquirer that Pike may play. He states that fact at the end of the linked article. The Bearcats cn enhance their chances with games remaining against #23 West Virginia at home and at #20 Pitt. If yu read the article that I linked, you also read where some are saying that Cincy isn't legit. Win the rest of the games and there will be no question even if UC plays in the Big East.

Rounding out the top 10 are #6 Iowa (7-0), #7 USC (5-1), #8 TCU (6-0), #9 LSU (5-1), and #10 Miami (FL) (5-1).