As the eighth week in college football has come to a close, I wanted to talk about the teams that are in contention to become BCS busters. The latest USA Today Coaches Poll was just released, and the AP Poll is not out as of writing this. Nonetheless, you'll notice that four undefeated non-BCS teams are on that poll, and I'm going to talk about their team as well as chances of going to a BCS Bowl.
Utah(8-0, 4-0)
BCS Wins: Michigan, Oregon State
Utah won without much trouble on Saturday against Colorado State. The Utes have been in this position before having been the first BCS buster before. Their schedule isn't very favorable the rest of the way which includes a game after the bye-week at New Mexico. Then five days later, they play TCU at home, who is coming off a win against another team that they knocked of the BCS race, BYU. TCU has also not lost in conference play yet either. They should win at struggling San Diego State before the season-ending game against BYU. I'm not sold on them going undefeated with that schedule, but if they do, then it would be a crime not to send them to a BCS game.
Boise State(6-0, 2-0)
BCS Wins: Oregon
Boise State is back in contention for another BCS spot. They did win at Oregon which will help them as long as they win their remaining games. However, four of their last six games are on the road in the conference. They play at San Jose State this Friday in a matchup of undefeated WAC teams in conference play. They play at New Mexico State before what should be winnable games against Utah State and Idaho. They end the season with a road game against a good Nevada team before a home matchup with Fresno State in the finale. Their road schedule is tough, but not impossible for a team that was in the BCS two years ago.
Tulsa(7-0, 4-0)
BCS Wins: None
Tulsa once again has the nation's top offense. Though they had to come from behind to beat SMU, the Golden Hurricane quickly got back on track by scoring 77 points in routing UTEP on Saturday. Tulsa plays at Arkansas in their only game against a BCS school on their schedule on November 1. They play a struggling offensive team in UCF next Sunday. Also of note on the schedule is a matchup at Houston that follows the Arkansas. Even though Houston has three losses on the year, they have one of the best offenses in the nation, and haven't lost in Conference USA play yet. They end the season with Tulane and Marshall. Those two road games in row against Arkansas and Houston are the only roadblocks I see for Tulsa going undefeated and possibly to a BCS bowl this year. The Conference USA Title Game that could potentially see them play East Carolina will help them in the polls. But they have to get their first, and win the conference before the BCS is in the discussion though.
Ball State(7-0, 3-0)
BCS Wins: Indiana
You want to talk about a feel-good story, look no further than Ball State. After losing their star player in Dante Love to a career-ending spinal cord injury in their first ever win over a BCS school in Indiana, the Cardinals are still undefeated on the season. Though their offense has tailed off because of the loss of their star wideout, the defense and running game has picked up the slack. The defense has allowed just seven points in their last two games, and running back MiQuale Lewis is second in the nation in rushing touchdowns. They have key games against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan at home as well as Central Michigan on the road. The matchup against Central Michigan could decide the West Division, and send one of the to the Mid-American Championship Game. But what a story it would be if Ball State can get out of the tough Mid-American Conference without a loss, and go on to a BCS game. They don't have an easy road.
All four teams have tougher roads than people think to go undefeated on the season. If all go undefeated, then it's going to be a BCS mess. I don't see it happening, but if I was to pick one team to go undefeated right now, it would be Tulsa. I really like their high-powered offense, and getting two good road wins that are coming up should help them out. Don't ever rule out Utah or Boise State because they've been in this position before. Ball State can still get it done as long as they continue to get production from the defense and running game like they've been getting.
10/19/2008 12:42:00 PM
David Funk
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