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13 weeks later, and we have the first two programs to earn BCS seats. One is Solid, with Penn State officially crowned Big 10 champions. And the other awaits an invitation to complete the formality, as undefeated Utah has now fulfilled all the mid-major requirements for BCS entry, and completes their season positioned the highest of all mid-majors reaching for that similar goal.

So, what becomes of Boise State? In most years, this undefeated and 9th ranked WAC champion is assured a spot in a BCS bowl. With the Utes apparently locking up the at-large, Boise doesn’t look to be getting a BCS invite. In an issue of fairness, and further proof that a playoff format is necessary, the BCS flaws are apparent. If the Broncos are left out, they receive no reward for a perfect season, but are essentially punished for being a late climber. Although both Boise and Utah are undefeated, the Utes entered the nation’s top 25 in week 2, and the Broncos didn’t arrive until week 4.  We don’t punish the voters for choosing Fresno State as the preseason favorite in the WAC, giving them a top 25 ranking before a single game was played.  We penalize the Broncos for doing everything they had to do, and finishing with a zero in the loss column.  Too little, too late? it’s obviously human error by those not wearing pads and helmets on Saturdays, for waiting 4 weeks to hop on the Boise express.

And here’s another thing to ponder, one computer spit Utah out as the No. 2 team in the country. If the regular season ends with no undefeated programs from BCS conferences, which remains a possibility, what would be the biggest argument against Utah’s appearance in the National championship game? Can we still use their conference against them? If you use conference head-to-heads as a measuring stick, the Mountain West is greater than the Pac 10, with the Pac greater than the Big 10. Penn State, as a lone undefeated, would appear in the college football’s biggest game. The same would be said for an undefeated Oregon State team. Why not Utah?

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE

For all you people calling for a playoff, have you checked the double elimination contests being played by the majority of conferences this season? Well, in the ACC it’s triple or quadruple elimination. But if you’re USC, and everything holds, you suffer the effects of a single elimination format, same as the Big 10. But every week in the Big 12 has basically featured a “death match” of some sort, which can also be seen in the SEC, ACC, and Big East.  There isn’t a single week without games on the schedule with BCS implications. Even as we enter the stretch run, is there a program out there that has the luxury of shutting it down to rest for the post-season, as they do in the NFL?

HERE’S A QUESTION

Sam Bradford was my Heisman front runner for the first quarter of the season. After the loss to Texas, he dropped off. With the big victory over Texas Tech, and his consistent play, even in the lone loss, Is Bradford currently the man to beat in the Heisman race?

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND INTO THE FIRE

When Penn State gained the Rose Bowl birth, Ohio State’s fate became uncertain. There’s still the possibility of a BCS at-large, but a more likely destination may be Florida’s Capital One bowl, where the Buckeyes would face their third SEC program in as many January games. Ohio State and Jim Tressel were embarrassed in the last two.

DIGITS

Continuing on their season of “firsts”, Michigan’s 42-7 loss to Ohio State marks the 1st time in school history that the Wolverines have lost 5 consecutive games to their biggest rival.

The 6 turnovers by the Tar Heels assisted N.C. State in their upset of the nation’s 22nd ranked team.

Cincinnati’s victory on Saturday inched them closer to the Big East title. It was also historical, as it marked the 1st Bearcats victory over Pittsburgh…ever.

With a loss to Ole Miss, for the first time since 1999, LSU lost 3 straight SEC games.

Before this century, TCU recorded just four 10-win seasons in their history. With the victory over Air Force, the Horned Frogs secured their sixth 10-win season since 2000.

The Yellow Jackets amassed 472 rushing yards, which is the 2nd most ever given up by a Miami defense.

West Virginia’s Pat White’s 4,292 career rushing yards, establishes a new mark, leading quarterbacks all-time in the category.

Notre Dame’s loss to Syracuse is the 1st time in school history that the program has lost to an 8-loss team.

THE GALLOPING FINISH

Miami- run over
Texas Tech- burn the tape
Oklahoma- just scored again!
USC (east and west)- had a bye week
Florida- see above
Michigan- it’s finally over!
Washington- see above
Washington State- got a trophy with just 2 wins
Tennessee- Volunteer state champions
N.C. State- Tar Heel state champions
Wisconsin- Phew!
Cincinnati- BCS bound?
Boise State- access denied?
Joe Paterno- hip surgery. Wishes for a speedy recovery, Joe.