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Another potential storm on BCS horizon
By RALPH D. RUSSO
Associated Press Sports Writer
BLACKSBURG, VA — The people who run the Bowl Championship Series
would never admit it, but a sense of relief must have come over them as
Virginia Tech and UCLA both had their unbeaten seasons come to an emphatic
halt.
The number of unbeaten major college football teams is down to
three — Southern California, Texas and Alabama — and the Crimson Tide is
dragging a hurting offense down the stretch. One loss by either of the three
clears up all the potential controversy and sets up a perfect Rose Bowl
matchup.
Then again, if two of those teams lose, oh what a mess for the
BCS.
Miami and Arizona cleared some of the clouds around the national
title picture Saturday.
The Wildcats did in the Bruins in resounding fashion — Arizona
52, UCLA 14 was the shocking final.
``I'm just frustrated, that's the biggest thing — to go out
there and put on a performance like that,'' said UCLA quarterback Drew
Olson, whose team finally put itself in a hole too deep to overcome.
The Hurricanes did the BCS the biggest favor.
Virginia Tech was creeping up on Texas and USC in the BCS
standings. A perfect regular season by the Hokies had the potential to
recreate last year's three-doesn't-fit into two BCS scenario, with Tech
playing the role of left-out Auburn.
Miami put all that to rest with a 27-7 win in Lane Stadium. And
while the Hurricanes were at it, they put an end to any talk of Marcus Vick
sneaking off with a Heisman Trophy in his first season as the Hokies'
starting quarterback.
Most important for Miami, though, is the Hurricanes have
championships in their grasp again. They control the Coastal Division race
in Atlantic Coast Conference. Win out and a spot in the first ACC title game
is theirs. Catch a break or two and Miami could be playing in the Rose Bowl.
``This puts us right where we want to be — things will get real
interesting,'' Miami coach Larry Coker said after his team played
party-pooper in Blacksburg.
Interesting indeed.
USC and Texas each have three games left, including the Big 12
title game for the Longhorns, and remain on track for a potential Rose Bowl
showdown.
Alabama has two games and a possible Southeastern Conference
championship tilt. But the Tide has scored only one offensive touchdown in
its last three SEC victories. With LSU coming to Tuscaloosa next week and a
trip to Auburn the week after, just getting to Atlanta on Dec. 3 is going to
be a daunting task for the Tide.
Still, it's possible an unbeaten SEC champion will be left out
of the BCS title game for a second straight season in favor of the Pac-10
and Big 12 champs.
But for those who root for chaos in the hope that it will lead
to the BCS being blown up (not going to happen anytime soon, by the way),
try this one on for size.
There are now nine one-loss teams in the six power conferences.
It's possible there could be as many 11 one-loss squads and no unbeatens
after the regular season.
If two of the remaining unbeatens fall and one team finishes the
regular season perfect, which one-loss team moves to the head of the pack
and into the Rose Bowl? Miami? The Hurricanes only loss came way back on
Labor Day at Florida State. Penn State? Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions are a
last-play of the game touchdown at Michigan away from being unbeaten? LSU?
The Tigers second-half collapse against Tennessee is their only blemish.
And how far would USC or Texas fall if they stumble down the
stretch? Could the Trojans or Longhorns sustain a close loss and still play
for a national title?
Don't get too comfortable, BCS guys. There are still plenty of
pratfalls possible.
©2005
The Associated Press. All rights rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bonesville.net
contributed to this report.
02/23/2007 10:42:59 AM
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