Ranked eighth in the Bowl Championship Series standings and seventh in the Associated Press poll, Oregon has established itself as the nation’s top one-loss team in the eyes of the nation. Should the Ducks (7-1, 5-0 Pacific-10 Conference) hold serve in their remaining four conference games, they will be mortal locks to make their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1994.
Most Oregon fans, understandably, think the Ducks are capable of much more. Say, an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game.
However, the Ducks do not control their own destiny. Seven undefeated teams remain in their path, waiting for their shot at the national title. Here are my predictions for what will happen to college football’s undefeated teams (all rankings from the AP poll):
No. 1 Florida (Southeastern Conference)
The Gators have the easiest schedule of any undefeated team in college football. The only hope for Gator detractors is for South Carolina and former Florida coach Steve Spurrier to upstage college football’s best team to date. There is, however, the SEC
championship game …
No. 2 Texas (Big 12 Conference)
The Longhorns’ 41-14 victory over Oklahoma State represented the last major challenge on the schedule, as the Big 12 title game should not be in issue. Kansas and Texas A&M should, at the very least, put up a fight.
No. 3 Alabama (SEC)
The Crimson Tide’s offense is no sure thing against LSU’s defense, but Oregon will likely be jumped by LSU in the event of an upset. Look out for Auburn, which may have found confidence in its upset of No. 24 Ole Miss last week.
No. 4 Cincinnati (Big East Conference)
The most difficult remaining schedule of any of the undefeated teams. Connecticut and West Virginia are talented, even though neither team has put it together. Pitt could enter the game against the Bearcats as a top-10 team with enough attrition.
No. 5 Boise State (Western Athletic Conference)
Oregon fans will be rooting like hell for Idaho on Nov. 14, the resurrected in-state rival that became bowl eligible this season for the first time in a decade. Beware, Broncos, of Nevada on Nov. 27: The Wolfpack boasts the nation’s strongest rushing attack.
No. 6 TCU (Mountain West Conference)
The Nov. 14 game against Utah will decide the conference title, and only a TCU victory will secure a BCS bid for the Mountain West. Wyoming, which lost to Utah 22-10 last week, will also give the Horned Frogs a fight.
No. 8 Iowa (Big Ten Conference)
The only game in which an undefeated team will likely not be favored takes place next weekend, as the Hawkeyes travel to Ohio State. Should Iowa pass that test, it will still likely be on the outside looking in for the BCS title game.
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