TEC's College Football Top 10, Week 7

Based upon a complex method of combining various polls and mathematical formulae, the Bowl Championship Series was designed to operate as an objective system devoid of human error that guaranteed the top two teams would meet at season's end to determine the undisputed national champion of college football's most elite division.  Yet it only seems to work as intended every other year.

Case in point: The first BCS rankings for the season debuted yesterday, and Oklahoma -- a squad voted no higher than #3 in any poll -- currently sit atop of the only rankings that will matter from now until the end of the year.  Consequently the new book, "Death to the BCS: The Definitive Case Against the Bowl Championship Series," appears more legitimate by the day.

Despite being treated as college football's unwanted stepchild, the Boise State Broncos have bulldozed their way into national prominence.  With nine seasons of at least 10 wins over the previous 12 years, the Broncos have amassed an impressive 128-20 record since the beginning of the 1999 campaign en route to six bowl wins, including two victories in the Fiesta Bowl.

Although history should have no impact on the current season -- except in regard to big name schools, who will always be given the benefit of any doubt -- BSU are commonly, and unjustly, looked upon as a flash in the pan.  Hide behind the "strength of schedule" argument against them if you like, and/or refer to me as a contrarian if that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.  But the bottom line could not be more clear: you don't want your favorite team to face the men from Boise.

As I Tweeted yesterday, unexpected losses by Ohio State, Nebraska, South Carolina & Florida barely 48 hours ago are emblematic of why college football inspires such passion.  The unpredictable nature of our new national pastime is also why Boise State, like it or not, are now the #1 team in the country.
 

Rankings as of October 18, 2010

#1  Boise State (6-0), 670 pts.
#2  Oregon (6-0), 665 pts.
#3  Texas Christian (7-0), 630 pts.
#4  Oklahoma (7-0), 585 pts.
#5  Auburn (7-0), 545 pts.
#6  Michigan State (7-0), 485 pts.
#7  Alabama (6-1), 425 pts.
#8  Utah (6-0), 360 pts.
#9  Louisiana State (7-0), 325 pts.
#10  Wisconsin (6-1), 310 pts.

 

Mississippi State cornerback Zach Smith jumps into the arms of head coach Dan Mullen after Florida missed a field goal in the final seconds of the game.  With the 10-7 victory last Saturday night, the Bulldogs earned their first win in Gainesville in 45 years.  Florida, on the other end, lost their third consecutive game for the first time in 22 years.  As a result, the putrid Gators have since fallen out of the Associated Press top 25 for the first time since 2003.  Picture © Associated Press