SEC, Big 12 Take Top Spots in 1st BCS Standings

Southeastern Conference rivals first-place LSU and second-place Alabama meet Nov. 5 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The Tigers play defending national champion Auburn at home on Saturday and the Crimson Tide is at Tennessee. If they can get through that, both will be off for a week before a likely No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup that could decide the SEC West.

Third-place Oklahoma and fourth-place Oklahoma State have to wait longer to play their potential Big 12 showdown. The Bedlam rivalry is set for Dec. 3 at Stillwater, Okla.

The only other time the top four teams in the first BCS standings of the season came from two conferences was 2000, when the Big 12 (Nebraska and Oklahoma) and the Big East (Virginia Tech and Miami) did it.

The BCS standings combine the coaches' poll, Harris poll and a compilation of six computer rankings.

The top four teams in the AP Top 25, which is not part of the BCS standings, were LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

Boise State was fifth in the first BCS standings, in good position to at least earn a spot in the five most lucrative bowl games, if not the BCS championship game on Jan. 9 in New Orleans.

Wisconsin was sixth, followed by fellow undefeated teams Clemson and Stanford. The other two undefeated major college teams are Kansas State in 11th place and Houston in 19th.

With half the season to play, there is still plenty of opportunities to shake up the standings, but for now the focus will be on the SEC and the Big 12.

Seven times in the 13-year history of the Bowl Championship Series, the teams that played in the national championship game were in the top four of the first standings. But teams have also come from has far back as 12th (LSU in 2003) and 10th (Florida in 2008) to play in the title game.

The SEC has produced the last five national champions and Alabama and LSU are on target to put another SEC team in the championship game this season.

After the Tide and Tigers play each other, both would have three more games and a conference championship to get through after the showdown in Tuscaloosa. If the winner on Nov. 5 can stay undefeated, it'll be off to New Orleans.

In the Big 12, it might not be quite so clear cut.

"I don't know if I'd go so far to say Oklahoma State controls its own destiny, but Oklahoma does," said CBS Sports.com's Jerry Palm, who analyzes the BCS standings.

Oklahoma State is No. 1 in the computer ratings but as Stanford and Wisconsin move into the tougher parts of their schedules, that advantage might go away.

But, as any coach will tell you, it's to early to get too worried about the rankings.

"Keep winning games and hope for the best," Palm said.

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Week 9 power rankings: Giants gain two spots

1.) Ravens — Ed Reed has three picks in two games back; team had three takeaways first five games total. Joe Flacco top rated QB in NFL since Week 2.

2.) Saints  – Defense still getting far too overlooked.

3.) Steelers – I expect Big Ben to get better from here on out.

4.) Giants – That just wasn’t even fair Sunday. Men against boys.

5.) Packers – Hitting their stride.

6.) Titans — Picking up Randy Moss on waivers not too shabby on a bye week.

7.) Patriots — The defense could still be their downfall.

8.) Jets – Since Oct 1, Mark Sanchez has a 67.5 rating, with four TDs and five picks; L.T. averaging 3.7 yards per carry last four games.

9.) Eagles — Second-half schedule shapes up well for them.

10.) Colts — Another game, another offensive skill position starter lost.

11.) Falcons – As good a home team as there is. Ravens provide stern test in short week.

12.) Chargers – They’re baacckk. Another gutsy showing without a ton of skill players. Bye comes at perfect time and Vincent Jackson just a few weeks away.

13.) Raiders – Biggest win in a long, long time. Amazing comeback. Right in thick of AFC West race and have wins over K.C. and San Diego already.

14.) Vikings — Much like the Chargers, might be getting off the mat at last possible minute. Don’t see them reaching playoffs, but could salvage something.

15.) Chiefs — They won some crazy games and were due to lose one … If they fail to reach the playoffs, though, circle that loss.

16.) Dolphins — Very tough stretch against three straight AFC North opponents now behind them.

17.) Bucs – That may have been a must-win game in Atlanta in terms of real playoff hopes. Regardless, this team so vastly improved from a year ago.

18.) Texans — Same ‘ol, same ‘ol.

19.) Lions — Have to find a way to incubate Matthew Stafford from the kind of crushing blows he so routinely absorbs.

20.) Rams — Win their division games and Sam Bradford will be playing in the postseason.

21.) Jaguars — Gained ground in the division with a bye. But better start playing with some semblance of a defense.

22.) Browns — Play their best against the best teams. Capable of being overpowering in run game on any given day.

23.) Redskins — Few places do a QB controversy like Washington, real or contrived.

24.) Bears – Not a pristine showing coming off the bye.

25.) 49ers — In any other division you’d say, have a nice draft. But if they can beat the Rams …

26.) Bengals — Beating up on Browns, Ravens and Steelers a year ago not helping now… Those division foes remember and smell blood now.

27.) Seahawks — Absolutely pummeled by physical teams the last two weeks and the injuries have been crippling.

28.) Cowboys — Believe it or not, this may not even be the nadir.

29.) Cardinals – If they beat the Seahawks this week they’ll be right back in it.

30.) Broncos — Falling well off the pace while the rest of their division steps up.

31.) Bills — Find ways to lose every week. So close but yet so far.

32.) Panthers — Horribly non-competitive football team right now.

Posted in: NFL Network  

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