The national championship race is down to a half dozen contenders.
With two weeks left in the regular season, LSU, Kansas, Missouri, West Virginia, Ohio State and Arizona State are the only teams left with aspirations to play in the BCS title game in New Orleans on Jan. 7. Let’s handicap the field:
LSU
Games remaining: vs. Arkansas, Friday; SEC title game against Tennessee or Georgia, Dec. 1 in Atlanta.
The Tigers are first in the BCS standings and control their own destiny and most of the college football world seems content with that.
LSU is the most talented team in the country, has a chance to win the toughest conference and no other team has a more impressive nonconference victory than the Tigers̢۪ 48-7 demolition of Virginia Tech in the second week of the season.
Since that Virginia Tech game, the Tigers have also had more narrow escapes than any other contender and there̢۪s no reason to believe they couldn̢۪t get picked off by Darren McFadden this week or in the Georgia Dome, especially if they̢۪re facing Georgia in its backyard.
Chance to reach the title game on a scale of 1-5 (five being a lock): 4.5
KANSAS
Games remaining: vs. Missouri, Saturday in Kansas City; possible Big 12 title game against Oklahoma or Texas on Dec. 1 in San Antonio.
The undefeated Jayhawks, second in the standings, also have only themselves to worry about. No unbeaten team from a BCS automatic qualifying conference has ever been left out of the title game in favor of a one-loss team.
The bad news for the Jayhawks: No team has a tougher road left. Kansas̢۪ opponents to date have a 47-75 record, by far the worst of the six contenders. Because of that, one loss will eliminate the Jayhawks.
There are still legitimate questions about just how good Todd Reesing and the Jayhawks are. The good news for them: They̢۪ll get to prove it over the next two weeks.
Signs point toward the Jayhawks being exposed.
Chance to reach the title game: 3.5
MISSOURI
Games remaining: vs. Kansas, Saturday in Kansas City; possible Big 12 title game against Oklahoma or Texas on Dec. 1 in San Antonio.
If LSU and/or Kansas slip up in the next two weeks, the BCS picture gets murky.
The Tigers are fourth in the BCS standings and could get caught from behind even if they win out. Kansas has doubters and beating the Jayhawks might get downplayed by voters. Oklahoma̢۪s loss to Texas Tech on Saturday means at best a two-loss team awaits the Big 12 North winner in the league championship.
Chance to reach the title game: 3
WEST VIRGINIA
Games remaining: vs. Connecticut, Saturday; vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 1.
Aside from needing the Big 12 teams to cancel each other out, the third-place Mountaineers have to overcome the fact the Big East doesn̢۪t have another powerful team. West Virginia̢۪s best win so far came Saturday night at Cincinnati (8-3). Beating UConn (9-2) will help some, but not that much.
Pat White, Steve Slaton and company are ahead of Ohio State and Arizona State in the polls for now, but if voters are asked to chose between the Mountaineers, Buckeyes or Sun Devils to play in the national title game, that could change.
Chance to reach the title game: 2.5
OHIO STATE
Games remaining: none.
Being idle hurt Michigan last season, when the Wolverines were jumped first by Southern California, then by Florida and left out of the BCS title game.
Fifth-place Ohio State isn̢۪t facing the rematch scenario that worked against Michigan and in one week, the Buckeyes̢۪ national title hopes went from minuscule, to not so bad as Oklahoma and Oregon dropped out of the race.
The Buckeyes still need a few breaks, but nothing as unlikely as both Oklahoma and Oregon losing their quarterbacks to injuries in the first half.
Simply being Ohio State might help the Buckeyes sway poll voters, too.
Chance to reach the title game: 3
ARIZONA STATE
Games remaining: vs. Southern California, Thursday; vs. Arizona, Dec. 1.
The sixth-place Sun Devils have the most ground to make up, but their remaining schedule has the perfect balance; it̢۪s not as tough as the Big 12 teams, but it̢۪s more difficult than West Virginia̢۪s.
Also working in Arizona State̢۪s favor: the Pac-10 has been getting a lot of respect this season.
Chance to reach the title game: 2
–Ralph D. Russo, Associated Press Writer
Joseph Hollak • Jan 4, 2008 at 12:31 pm
@ FSDogs1 (aka Eddie): Your comment was deleted because it was nothing more than a shameless advertisement for your own sports blog.
Being a former Editor of The Collegian you should know that if you would like to advertise with The Collegian, you should call the business office and ask to speak with someone in the Advertisement Department.
The comment section of stories are not the place to try to sneak in ads for your own personal ventures by disguising them as true comments.
Sincerely,
Joseph Hollak
The Collegian Online
Multimedia Editor
Webmaster
Joseph Hollak • Jan 4, 2008 at 7:31 pm
@ FSDogs1 (aka Eddie): Your comment was deleted because it was nothing more than a shameless advertisement for your own sports blog.
Being a former Editor of The Collegian you should know that if you would like to advertise with The Collegian, you should call the business office and ask to speak with someone in the Advertisement Department.
The comment section of stories are not the place to try to sneak in ads for your own personal ventures by disguising them as true comments.
Sincerely,
Joseph Hollak
The Collegian Online
Multimedia Editor
Webmaster
FSDogs1 • Nov 30, 2007 at 1:06 am
Haha, nevermind…
FSDogs1 • Nov 29, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Haha, nevermind…
Benjamin Baxter • Nov 29, 2007 at 12:59 pm
The Collegian Staff Comment
Future Squirrel Stuffer
This comment? This is the only other comment of yours I’m seeing here, and it is, in fact, posted.
What̢۪s the feeling around campus for this weekend̢۪s home finale against Kansas State?
It̢۪s a HUGE game for both teams (K-State trying to become bowl-eligible) against a BCS-conf. big boy and the last chance to see Tyler Clutts, Marcus Riley, Clifton Smith, Ryan Wendell, Clint Stitser, etc. at home.
With all the negative talk about attendance problems at Fresno State lately, this would seem like a perfect opportunity for the students to show up in droves and show that the Red Wave is as strong as ever.
Hey Collegian, how ̢۪bout leading the way on that!?
Benjamin Baxter • Nov 29, 2007 at 7:59 pm
The Collegian Staff Comment
Future Squirrel Stuffer
This comment? This is the only other comment of yours I’m seeing here, and it is, in fact, posted.
What’s the feeling around campus for this weekend’s home finale against Kansas State?
It’s a HUGE game for both teams (K-State trying to become bowl-eligible) against a BCS-conf. big boy and the last chance to see Tyler Clutts, Marcus Riley, Clifton Smith, Ryan Wendell, Clint Stitser, etc. at home.
With all the negative talk about attendance problems at Fresno State lately, this would seem like a perfect opportunity for the students to show up in droves and show that the Red Wave is as strong as ever.
Hey Collegian, how ’bout leading the way on that!?
FSDogs1 • Nov 29, 2007 at 12:48 pm
It’s not still posted on this page. I posted another one after my first disappeared…
FSDogs1 • Nov 29, 2007 at 7:48 pm
It’s not still posted on this page. I posted another one after my first disappeared…
Heather Billings • Nov 24, 2007 at 2:42 pm
The Collegian Staff Comment
That comment is still posted on this page.
No, we didn’t publish this week because of break. Next issue will be Monday.
Heather Billings • Nov 24, 2007 at 9:42 pm
The Collegian Staff Comment
That comment is still posted on this page.
No, we didn’t publish this week because of break. Next issue will be Monday.
FSDogs1 • Nov 22, 2007 at 11:42 pm
No, I saw my comment get deleted the same day it was posted…
I said it would be great to see The Collegian lead the way to ensure that students get out there to support the ‘Dogs this Saturday! But I guess no issues came out this week?
FSDogs1 • Nov 23, 2007 at 6:42 am
No, I saw my comment get deleted the same day it was posted…
I said it would be great to see The Collegian lead the way to ensure that students get out there to support the ‘Dogs this Saturday! But I guess no issues came out this week?
Heather Billings • Nov 21, 2007 at 9:33 pm
The Collegian Staff Comment
I’m not aware of any deletion of reader comments, but I will keep a close eye on them for the next couple of days.
I do delete what little spam makes it through the filter. Perhaps that’s what you saw?
Heather Billings • Nov 22, 2007 at 4:33 am
The Collegian Staff Comment
I’m not aware of any deletion of reader comments, but I will keep a close eye on them for the next couple of days.
I do delete what little spam makes it through the filter. Perhaps that’s what you saw?
FSDogs1 • Nov 21, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Hey, who’s deleting the readers’ comments? What gives?
FSDogs1 • Nov 21, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Hey, who’s deleting the readers’ comments? What gives?
FSDogs1 • Nov 20, 2007 at 2:55 pm
What’s the feeling around campus for this weekend’s home finale against Kansas State?
It’s a HUGE game for both teams (K-State trying to become bowl-eligible) against a BCS-conf. big boy and the last chance to see Tyler Clutts, Marcus Riley, Clifton Smith, Ryan Wendell, Clint Stitser, etc. at home.
With all the negative talk about attendance problems at Fresno State lately, this would seem like a perfect opportunity for the students to show up in droves and show that the Red Wave is as strong as ever.
Hey Collegian, how ’bout leading the way on that!?
FSDogs1 • Nov 20, 2007 at 9:55 pm
What’s the feeling around campus for this weekend’s home finale against Kansas State?
It’s a HUGE game for both teams (K-State trying to become bowl-eligible) against a BCS-conf. big boy and the last chance to see Tyler Clutts, Marcus Riley, Clifton Smith, Ryan Wendell, Clint Stitser, etc. at home.
With all the negative talk about attendance problems at Fresno State lately, this would seem like a perfect opportunity for the students to show up in droves and show that the Red Wave is as strong as ever.
Hey Collegian, how ’bout leading the way on that!?