It would be easy to say only one game matters this weekend, but that would be oversimplifying things. This week’s schedule has a number of quality games.
The obvious: The winner of the OSU/Michigan game will play for the national title. Both teams have done what it takes. They’ve rumbled through their conferences, and they each have a high quality non-conference win. Both teams are very talented, well coached, have strong defenses, and quality QB’s. It’s a rivalry game with everything on the line. It’s everything ESPN hoped the USC/Notre Dame game would be and more.
With the parity in the ACC, as usual, there are several games of interest. Clearly, the Pack/UNC game comes first here. After that, VPI/Wake is the match-up with the most at stake.
In the SEC, the big one is the Iron Bowl. Anything can happen in this one, and after a slow start Bama is improving while Auburn is starting to stumble. Both teams have played twelve in a row through tough SEC schedules, and the injuries are starting to take their toll, especially on the Tigers. The SEC East is done, but three teams could still represent the West. With a win over Mississippi State, Arkansas, could lock up the division this weekend.
Out West, the Pac 10 should be decided after Saturday. A Cal win followed by a USC victory over Notre Dame could really throw a wrench in the BCS.
One final comment about something that should be clarified with many in the media. I’ve heard several analysts use the phrase “under the rules they were given� when referring to Rutgers going undefeated and being deserving of a spot in the national title game. Nowhere in the BCS rules does it state that the teams have to go undefeated to play in the national title game (see 2003), nor does it state that all undefeated teams play in the national title game (see 2004), in fact, I don’t believe the rules refer to number of losses at all (please correct me if I’m wrong). The rules simply say that the two teams with the highest BCS rankings play in the national title game. If a one loss Florida, Arkansas, USC, or Notre Dame team is among the top two in the BCS rankings, then they will have earned the spot “under the rules they were given� regardless of whether Rutgers is undefeated.
Note that I’m not arguing that the rules are right or even logical. I’m just saying that false statements stated as fact don’t change the reality of the situation. These statements only change the public’s perception of reality. Much like the overused “proved it on the field phrase�, which is tossed out virtually any time Herbstreit or other analysts want to put an argument to bed without having to use logic or reason.
