Bcs Breakdown
Author: Max Gundlach

Everything has fallen into place and the Big Ten will get its
dream match-up this coming Saturday, when the Michigan
Wolverines travel to Columbus to take on the Ohio State
Buckeyes. These are two of the four unbeaten teams left in
Division-IA and the winner will earn a bid to the BCS Title
Game in Glendale, Arizona. These are the top two teams in the
polls, computers, and Harris Rankings - all of which comprise
the current BCS standings. The Buckeyes will enter this game
around a touchdown favorite and have looked more impressive
then Michigan from start to finish. This number also reflects
Coach Jim Tressel's recent success against Coach Lloyd Carr.
The Buckeye coach has beaten Michigan four times in five tries
and is a far cry from what John Copper was when coaching at the
Horseshoe.

That being said, lets take a look at the top seven teams in the
BCS standing and their likelihood of making it to the
championship game on Jan. 8. Teams are evaluated based on the
current BSC standing after the completion of games on Nov. 11.

1) Ohio State Buckeyes - My pre-season choice to win it all has
done nothing to disappoint me up to this point. They have played
in hostile environments such as Austin and Iowa City and came
away with impressive blowout victories. A win at home and they
will be assured a spot in the championship game. A loss to
Michigan and there is still a possibility they could get into
the BCS Title Game, but the higher percentage play would be a
trip to the Rose Bowl. The other conferences would frown upon a
rematch title game where both teams come from the same
conference.

2) Michigan Wolverines - The season started with Lloyd Carr
under fire but an early season win in South Bend gave this team
validation and they have yet to give that up. A win in Columbus
would mark a 12-0 record and a trip to Glendale. A loss in
Columbus and it is highly likely that they would represent the
Big Ten in the Rose Bowl for the third time in four years. They
only chance they would have to get back into the title game is
if both Notre Dame and themselves finished with 11-1 records
and everyone else from the PAC-10 and SEC had two losses. They
would be hard pressed to choose Notre Dame over Michigan
considering what the Wolvernines did to the Irish in South Bend
in September.

3) Southern Cal Trojans - The Trojans are in the best shape in
the standings considering the two teams ahead of them play each
other this week. They will be able to hold Florida off in the
standings considering the three games left on their schedule
come against formidable opponents. If they can complete this
trifecta they will receive an invite to Glendale. The problem
is that any one of these three teams (California, Notre Dame,
UCLA) can knock them off giving them a second loss. The one
thing holding them back may be that they suffered a bad loss to
Oregon State, but that would be forgotten quickly by beating
California and Notre Dame.

4) Florida Gators - Everyone seems to be piling on the Gators
this week for their close call at the Swamp against former
Coach Steve Spurrier. That being said, a win is a win and if
Florida can win out they will have finished 12-1 in what many
people believe is the toughest conference in the nation. They
do need some help in order to get to the title game. Playing
Western Carolina and Florida State should drop them well below
USC in the computers and thus they would not be able to catch
them if both finished with only one loss. The Sugar Bowl will
likely be calling their name.

5) Notre Dame Irish - The team everyone loves or hates
continues to pull out victories after an early season hiccup
against Michigan. The Irish are all but assured a BSC Bowl Game
but the path to the Championship does not look that promising.
They will have a hard time moving past No. 4 in the standings
and thus will need the human factor to play a role if they have
visions of Arizona. Another factor working against them is that
both Michigan and Ohio State pounded Notre Dame within the last
year.

6) Rutgers Scarlet Knights - Rutgers is one of the three
unbeaten teams playing in the BCS conferences and after this
week will likely be one of the two teams left. This team will
likely be a double-digit underdog against West Virginia, so
more then likely they will be left out of the discussion and
fall from the Top Ten. If they would happen to pull the upset,
they would have a case to represent in Glendale but it still
probably will not happen. They scheduled too weak in the
nonconference portion on the season and have had too long of a
road to climb through the standings. The best they can hope for
is a split National Title, winning the AP Poll.

7) Arkansas Razorbacks - The Hogs have recorded numerous
impressive wins and should clinch the SEC West with a victory
against Mississippi State this weekend. They have the ability
to move up in the standings since they still have LSU and
Florida on the schedule. If they can finish the season 12-1,
they could jump to the top if USC and Notre Dame each suffer
another loss. They would have no case to jump USC if both
finish with just one loss considering the pounding that took
place in Fayetteville to open the season.

These are the seven teams competing for a shot at the National
Championship. All have valid reasons, but only the top three
teams control their own destiny. The bottom four teams need
help and in the case of Rutgers, that still may not be enough.

Doc's has had a tremendous year in college football and wants
you to jump aboard. This week we will be going with our,
"Senior Day Game of the Year" that features a home team that
will go out in style. To receive this play sign-up for one of
our many football packages.

Free Pick: Take Auburn -3 over Alabama


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