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The Bowl Championship Series picture came more clearly into focus Saturday, with Nebraska and Iowa still vying for spots in the pool of BCS games that includes the Orange, Sugar, Fiesta and Rose bowls.
A few points to consider as one week remains until the big announcements:
• Oklahoma's 27-0 Bedlam blasting of Oklahoma State unofficially eliminated the Cowboys from BCS consideration. OSU was among 10 teams before Saturday without a chance to win a major-conference title but still under consideration for one of four at-large BCS berths. The Cowboys, 12th in the BCS standings last week, will surely fall out of the top 14 Sunday, a requirement for at-large consideration.
• With Oklahoma State out of the picture, things look better for other at-large contenders — notably Iowa and Penn State. The Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions sat 11th and 13th, respectively, last week in the BCS standings. With Big Ten champion Ohio State headed to the Rose Bowl, it's now likely up to the Fiesta Bowl folks to pick between Iowa and Penn State.
• Undefeated TCU appears locked into an at-large spot, as does the loser of the SEC title game between Alabama and Florida. As long as Texas beats Nebraska and heads to the BCS title game against the SEC winner, Iowa or Penn State and unbeaten Boise State look safe. There exists some intrigue, to say the least, in the supposed Big Ten pick. Think a few people in Iowa might be upset if Penn State got the nod over the Hawkeyes?
• If the Huskers beat Texas to take the Big 12's automatic berth, the Longhorns would likely receive an at-large BCS bid and send Boise State and both Big Ten teams back into worry mode. It's also an outside possibility that unbeaten Cincinnati — if it hands the Big East crown to Pittsburgh next week — could steal an at-large spot from Iowa, Penn State or Boise State. A Nebraska win also would impact the BCS title game, potentially boosting TCU into the Jan. 7 showcase against Florida or Alabama.
Understand it all now? Neither do we. Wait a week, and all will be settled.
— Mitch Sherman
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