If all four go undefeated...

[Versatile]

This is not like a politics poll. Debate, free speech and hostility are encouraged. And you're allowed to post multiple times in this thread.

The pairings were listed alphabetically.

Louisville? **** Louisville.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I think it becomes 100 times more interesting if Oregon loses - or if Oregon has a Notre Dame-Pitt-type win from here to the finish line.

 

[Versatile]

I voted for Alabama and Oregon. Both teams' schedules are about to get boosts, Alabama with Texas A&M and the SEC title game and Oregon with Stanford, Oregon State and the Pac-12 title game.

 

[Versatile]

I think it becomes 100 times more interesting if Oregon loses - or if Oregon has a Notre Dame-Pitt-type win from here to the finish line.

I think Oregon is the most likely of the bunch to lose, unless Collin Klein is injured worse than we've been led to think.

 

[nmmetsfan]

I wouldn't be surprised if in four weeks we have only one unbeaten team. We've seen this story before and it always has a few unexpected twists and turns.

Then we'll be debating which of the one-loss teams deserves the second bid.

 

[Dick Whitman]

LSU and Florida.

Signed,

Tom Murphy
Mark McCarter

 

[Songbird]

I'm torn. Alabama, no doubt.

I don't want Oregon whatsoever. Oregon in '10 and Oregon in '12: same thing.

It's really between Notre Dame and Kansas State. I would say Notre Dame because (cliche alert!) college football is much more vibrant when Notre Dame is great and the hate is flowing toward the Irish. Notre Dame has sucked for 20 years (and even though I'm an 'SC diehard) it's nice to see the program having this kind of season. I knew the Irish would be on the immediate uptick soon as they hired Kelly.

Then there's Kansas State. It's just a great story. A total nothing program, in the grand scheme of things. They had strong seasons during Snyder 1.0, but nothing like this. I like the disparity between BIG BOY PROGRAM and the little guy.

For the pageantry, Alabama v. Notre Dame.

For the story, Alabama v. Kansas State.

In that game -- Every Man A Wildcat! -- I'd pick Kansas State. I like Klein a lot.

 

[Dick Whitman]

I'd love Notre Dame-Kansas State.

Klein v. Te'o.

The program built on JUCOs against the program that thinks it's too good to give any JUCOs a roster spot.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Alabama seems like the one given.

Think Notre Dame finally gets their comeuppance against USC.

Oregon has a potential 3 game gauntlet of Stanford, Oregon State and USC again, correct? They certainly look like they can navigate that, but any of those landmines could go boom

K State seems like the easiest road of the non-Tides--Texas at home the biggest blockade, except for Klein's injury.

Or we can have them all lose, have Georgia beat Alabama for the SEC championship, and make heads explode with any of the following matchups:

Georgia v. LSU
Georgia v. Fla State
Georgia v. Louisville

 

[LongTimeListener]

This was exactly the discussion last year, right after LSU beat Alabama. It was who gets the spot against LSU if Okie State, Stanford and Boise go unbeaten. All of them lost.

Seems like this is where we're sitting just about every year.

 

[Songbird]

I love Stanford's defense. If one of the unbeatens were to fall first, I think it's Oregon against the Cardinal.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Does A&M have a chance against Alabama?

 

[LongTimeListener]

I love Stanford's defense. If one of the unbeatens were to fall first, I think it's Oregon against the Cardinal.

I'd be shocked if that stays within three touchdowns. Stanford's defense can do a lot of things, but it cannot run with those guys.

 

[Versatile]

Toughest games left for the unbeatens (not based on the likelihood of a loss):

1. Alabama vs. SEC East champion (likely Georgia): That Bulldogs defense is ferocious and won't have played a tough opponent in a month.
2. Oregon at Oregon State: The Beavers are being dismissed unfairly. The Civil War is a top-tier rivalry, and Oregon State has a lot to play for.
3. Notre Dame at Southern California: The Trojans have a horrible line that the Fighting Irish should shred, but USC's playmakers are elite.
4. Alabama vs. Texas A&M: The Aggies have two losses by eight combined points to top-eight teams and match up well against Alabama.
5. Oregon vs. Stanford: The Cardinal has a powerful defensive line, but can the offense keep pace?
6. Oregon vs. Pac-12 South champion (likely UCLA or USC): I think the Bruins are better than the Trojans, but the game will be in Eugene.
7. Kansas State vs. Texas: The Longhorns should test whether the Wildcats have the talked-about speed to match up with Oregon or Alabama.
8. Kansas State at TCU: The Horned Frogs have been up and down all season, but they can win this game.

Those are the eight potential losses left on these teams' schedules. I think Oregon, with three of the eight spots and the hardest road game left, is most at risk.

 

[Pilot]

I think last week the odds of all four winning out computed to about 2 percent. This week, I heard they're up to 7 percent.

I can't imagine ND winning out. I can't imagine Oregon or K-State losing. Alabama losing I deem possible, though that's not a knock on the quality of the team.

The final BCS standings could be insanely close and could hinge on a million things, such as an undefeated ND. A close game by either Oregon or K-State could be as bad as a loss, assuming all four go undefeated. Notre Dame probably needs two full-on losses in front of it to make the title game. I can't imagine any other way voters move them up.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Vers, I can't argue much about your list, but every time Notre Dame takes the field is a near- loss.

 

[Versatile]

One thing to remember: Oregon's strength of schedule will improve in the next month. Alabama's and Kansas State's will stay the same. Notre Dame's will decline, particularly if UCLA beats Southern Cal.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Saturday night made me a believer. Alabama's the best until somebody beats them. Of the others, Oregon would annihilate Notre Dame, and in all honesty, I just haven't seen Kansas State enough to comment. That's not to say that's how the BCS would sort out. I agree with those who say this possibility of four unbeatens is beyond unlikely.

 

[Pilot]

One thing to remember: Oregon's strength of schedule will improve in the next month. Alabama's and Kansas State's will stay the same. Notre Dame's will decline, particularly if UCLA beats Southern Cal.

Oregon gets Cal this week. K-State gets TCU. Advantage, K-State. (27 vs. 61 in Sagrin)

Texas could also be a top 15 team, and would improve K-State's SOS, negating any bump from the Pac 12 title game.

K-State will lose ground when Oregon plays Oregon St. and Stanford.

 

[Versatile]

One thing to remember: Oregon's strength of schedule will improve in the next month. Alabama's and Kansas State's will stay the same. Notre Dame's will decline, particularly if UCLA beats Southern Cal.

Oregon gets Cal this week. K-State gets TCU. Advantage, K-State. (27 vs. 61 in Sagrin)

Texas could also be a top 15 team, and would improve K-State's SOS, negating any bump from the Pac 12 title game.

K-State will lose ground when Oregon plays Oregon St. and Stanford.

Who cares about what the numbers say next week? In the long run, my point stands.