Mike Kern: BCS standings already have a familiar ring
ENTERING THE second half of the season, seven teams (sorry Kansas and South Florida) remain unbeaten.
So, what are their long-range prospects?
Well, the one with the best chance of finishing "and-0" is Boise State, because it plays in the WAC. What that can get the Broncos, only those BCS standings know for sure. Even if Alabama, Florida and Texas all lose, I'm not sure it would put them in the last game. I can hear the screaming already. The best thing they'd have going for them is an 11-1 Oregon.
The Broncs should hope that Texas Christian doesn't run its table, because that could even knock them out of any BCS bowl. Don't ask. Rules are rules. The Horned Frogs have the rougher schedule, starting tonight at Brigham Young, which means they could end up passing Boise.
Even with quarterback Tony Pike reinjuring his left (non-throwing) forearm (his status for Saturday against Louisville is uncertain), Cincinnati should be able to survive until Nov. 13, when it hosts West Virginia. The Bearcats also close at Pitt on Dec. 5. Whether they can finish above a one-loss Southern Cal, Florida, Texas or 'Bama would seem like an iffy proposition.
Iowa's in pretty much the same ship. The Hawkeyes are at Michigan State this week, at Ohio State on Nov. 14. The Big Ten's recent failures in big spots don't figure to aid their case.
Which brings us to your big three. Florida and Alabama might obviously face each other once again in the SEC finale. If they are both unbeaten, the winner would simply move on to Pasadena (Jan. 7) and the loser, if the game's a classic, can campaign for a rematch. As Michigan did 3 years ago after losing at Ohio State. How'd that work out?
Assuming (which can often get you in trouble) that UF won't fall to Georgia in Jacksonville or Florida State in the Swamp in Tim Tebow's farewell, the Gators' most treacherous hurdle is Nov. 14 at South Carolina. Steve Superior nearly beat his alma mater in 2005 and '06. Last year it was 56-6.
'Bama hosts Tennessee this week, and Louisiana State on Nov. 7. The Tide heads to Auburn, where it's lost three consecutive times, Nov. 27.
Texas, which has won 19 of its last 20 (on a last-play pass to an unbeaten Texas Tech on the road last season), visits Missouri Saturday and Oklahoma State on Halloween. The Horns host Kansas Nov. 21, and go to Texas A & M on Thanksgiving. Right now, Kansas State leads the Big 12 North. The conference final is at Cowboys Stadium.
And don't forget USC, which again has an early loss that doesn't make sense (without its injured starting QB) yet looks to be the team nobody wants to see come the holidays. The Trojans host Oregon State this week, go to Oregon next week, then finish with Stanford, UCLA and Arizona at home.
By all means feel free to project away. Remember that in the last three seasons, the lone unbeaten to make it to the BCS final was Ohio State in 2006.
Trivial pursuit
Colt McCoy is the third Texas starting quarterback to beat Oklahoma at least three times. Name the others. Hint: One was an All-America. See Answer man.
Did you know?
* Since Rutgers won its first nine in 2006, it's gone 18-14 against FBS opponents.
* Idaho is 6-1, with the loss coming at Washington. The Vandals were 2-10 last season for Robb Akey, who went 1-11 his first year in Moscow. They've had nine straight losing seasons. On Nov. 14, they'll be at Boise State.
Answer man
Bobby Layne did it in 1944, '46 and '47. Peter Gardere did so from 1989-92, the only quarterback from either team in the rivalry to pull off a four-peat. *
Send e-mail to kernm@phillynews.com.
