BCS: No Change at the Top

By Kevin Graham
November 19, 2009

After Saturday night’s 55-28 beating of Utah, TCU coach Gary Patterson basically said there wasn’t much more the Frogs could do, “In the nation, if this wasn't enough style points, I don’t know what is.”  Well, it was enough to garner the Frogs one first place vote in the latest Harris poll but not enough to move them up in the latest BCS standings staying at No. 4.  In fact, it was mostly status quo this week.

With no upsets, the top eight teams remained the same.  Florida stayed in the top spot after its 24-14 win over South Carolina.  Alabama hung on at No. 2 after beating Mississippi State 31-3.  The computer rankings continue to keep the Crimson Tide ahead of Texas, who beat Baylor, and once again stayed at No. 3 despite being second in both the coaches and Harris polls.  The computers have Alabama at No. 2 with the Longhorns ranked fourth.

With the victory over what was 16th ranked Utah, TCU did close the gap a tad on Texas but remained locked in at the four spot. The Frogs remain two slots ahead of Boise State and are the solid favorite to claim a bowl bid allowed to a qualified non-BCS team.  Cincinnati stayed between those two at No. 5 after their win Friday night over West Virginia. 

After this upcoming weekend, it’s hard to think much will change when it’s all said and done.  Inexplicably both Florida and Alabama have late season non-conference cream puffs on their schedule.  The Gators host Florida International (3-7) of the Sun Belt Conference.  The Tide could be jumped by Texas at No. 2 hosting Chattanooga, an FBS program.  The Longhorns play at home against Kansas (5-5) who has lost five straight.

TCU should have no problems at Wyoming (5-5) and be able to hold off Cincinnati who hosts a struggling Big Ten team in Illinois (3-7).  Boise State will be heavily favored to win at Utah State (3-7) Friday night, but a victory would definitely not be enough to propel them up the standings. In the BCS era of polls, computer formulas, and non-stop debate, all the schools can really only heed the approach of Patterson. 

“The biggest thing for us is that we need to finish,” said the TCU coach.  “We have two games left, one on the road. I understand how big of a win this is. I’ve been there. I’ve beaten Oklahoma and gotten beat by SMU. We need to finish.”

Kevin Graham hosts a daily sports talk show in Salt Lake City. You can listen and read his station blog. You can also follow him on Twitter.