With unranked Iowa stunning #2 Oklahoma State in the Friday night game, the BCS standings have been thrown into utter chaos. With LSU at #1, the currently ranked #3 and #4 teams are Alabama and Oregon, who have both already been defeated by the Tigers this season. The #11 Houston Cougars are the only other undefeated team left in the Bowl Subdivision, but playing their trade in the non BCS Conference-USA, it is unlikely that they'll find themselves in one of the top two spots - showing up the BCS system slightly.
After this weekend, every team will have only one regular season game remaining (plus conference championship games for a select few). Assuming the top teams all win out and LSU finish ranked #1, the BCS will have to look at whether it's viable to give the National Championship game to a team that LSU have already defeated during the regular season, and in the case of Alabama, who are likely to finish ranked #2 if they win their last 2 games, a team that didn't even win their conference. Will the BCS look to the ACC (without a National Championship contender since 2000, and without a National Championship since 1999 - both Florida State), where the winner of their likely championship game between Clemson and Virginia Tech will have only 1 defeat (again, assuming they both win out the regular season).
Whatever happens, the new rankings on Monday are going to make interesting reading going into the last round of regular season games - irritatingly spread over two weekends, but I digress. Who is going to be at the top of the rankings, and how are the BCS going to vote? Keep your eyes peeled for developments.
Onto the predictions, and two top 10 ranked teams have already played this weekend, as stated, #2 Oklahoma State were stunned by Iowa, and #8 Virginia Tech scraped past North Carolina in an in-conference thriller.
Top 10
#1 LSU (10-0) at Ole Miss (2-8)
This is the 100th meeting between these historic rivals, but it looks like a bit of a no contest this year. The Tigers have looked pretty unstoppable, and their defence is the best in the country. Over the past 10 years, The Rebels have managed only 3 wins, although two of those wins have come in the last 3 seasons, although the Tigers weren't firing on all cylinders in those years like they are now. Expect Ole Miss to fight hard, but ultimately LSU will be taking the Magnolia Bowl back to Baton Rouge
Prediction: LSU 45 Ole Miss 13
Georgia Southern (9-1) at #3 Alabama (9-1)
Looking at the records, this seems a close cut affair. Deeper though, Georgia Southern are an FCS school, and this is nothing but a schedule booster for the Crimson Tide. It will be a nice experience for the Eagles players to play in the cavernous Bryant-Denny Stadium, but the result isn't in question.
Prediction: Georgia Southern 6 Alabama 56
USC (8-2) at #4 Oregon (9-1)
The Trojans have been enjoying a fairly decent season so far, and currently lead the Pac-12 South division. The Ducks haven't lost since the opening week against LSU, and lead the Pac-12 North. On paper, this is a close fought contest, but in reality, the Ducks should be too strong for their opponents, who's schedule hasn't been as difficult. It will be close, but expect a home win.
Prediction: USC 20 Oregon 24
#5 Oklahoma (8-1) at #22 Baylor (6-3)
The Sooners have a real chance to steal the Big-12 crown away from their state rivals when the two teams meet in a fortnight in the Bedlam Series, but first they must get past the Bears of Baylor. The Sooners will look at Oklahoma State's loss last night as a huge opportunity, and with them playing well in offence, I can't see Baylor putting up much of a challenge. A road victory, and a huge payoff in two weeks.
Prediction: Oklahoma 34 Baylor 20
Mississippi State (5-5) at #6 Arkansas (9-1)
Being in a division, never mind a conference with LSU and Alabama, it was always going to be difficult for the Razorbacks to challenge this year, but they've coped well. The loss to Alabama will have eliminated them from proper contention (unless they can upset LSU next week) but they will have too much for a distinctly average Mississippi State team.
Prediction: Mississippi State 13 Arkansas 35
#7 Clemson (9-1) at North Carolina State (5-5)
The Tigers of Clemson have had a great season despite a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech two weeks ago. They will play for the ACC Championship, in a game that could - if the BCS see it that way - end up being for a place in the National Championship game. The Wolfpack haven't been bad this season, but they've not been good either. Expect a Clemson blowout here.
Prediction: Clemson 56 North Carolina State 6
California (6-4) at #9 Stanford (9-1)
The Golden Bears will see a Bowl appearence as a good rsult this year, while the Andrew Luck lead Cardinal will be left hoping Oregon slip up for a possible National Championship chance. Heisman frontrunner Luck will have too much in both his arm and his legs for the Berkley boys to handle, and the home side should pick up a comfortable win.
Prediction: California 13 Stanford 35
#10 Boise State (8-1) at San Diego State (6-3)
The Broncos will be rueing the loss to TCU last weekend, as if they had won that game, they would have been in the same situation as the Horned Frogs were in last year, with a Rose Bowl berth beckoning as a wost case scenario. That loss has probably eliminated them from National Championship contention, and possibly BCS contention full stop. They will, however have too much for an Aztecs side who have blown hot and cold this year.
Prediction: Boise State 31 San Diego State 24
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