Right now it’s No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 2 Miami in the national title game with the rest of the BCS bowl picture unclear. What is clear is that things will shake out in November.
There are seven games on Saturday’s college football dance card that will impact the Bowl Championship Series picture. A rundown:
#1 Oklahoma vs. #14 Oklahoma State
In his third season, Les Miles is turning the Cowboys into winners. After losing seven of his first nine games, Miles is 17-6 since and is the first OSU coach to defeat Oklahoma in his first two seasons and the first OSU coach to beat OU and Nebraska in the same season. But just so you know, in the 98-year rivalry, the Cowboys have never beaten the Sooners three consecutive years.
#2 Miami at #10 Virginia Tech
The Hokies are reeling after last week’s stunning loss to West Virginia that knocked them out of the BCS standings. Now the only thing that can make Virginia Tech happy is to spoil Miami’s season.
#3 USC vs. #6 Washington State
The winner gets the inside track for the Rose Bowl against the Big Ten winner. Oh, wait, that doesn’t exist anymore. But the winner does move a step closer to a BCS bowl and will be on the doorstep of the national title game if any of the top teams slip.
#4 Georgia at #23 Florida
Injury-riddled Georgia heads to Jacksonville, Fla., for the annual neutral-field battle with Florida hoping to snap a run of bad luck against the Gators, who have won 12 of the last 13 meetings. Ron Zook has silenced his critics with back-to-back road victories over LSU and Arkansas.
#8 Ohio State at Penn State
Despite their offensive woes (99th of 117 I-A teams in offense), the Buckeyes stand sixth in the BCS standings and with a little luck can find themselves in the title game.
#9 Michigan State vs. #11 Michigan
Spartans ranked No. 9 (10th in BCS), their highest ranking since ending the 1999 season No. 7. It’s the first time since 1968 they’re ranked ahead of Michigan going into this game.
#12 Nebraska at #16 Texas
Neither team has a realistic shot at the national title, but the winner of this game keeps alive hopes for a Big 12 title and lucrative bowl while the loser can start planning the trip to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.
— Lee Gordon, Tribune
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9 November games with BCS implications
Nov. 8
Michigan State at Ohio State. Could be the game that decides the Big Ten.
Tennessee at Miami. The Volunteers (5-2) are ranked 19th and will test the Hurricanes, who will have to avoid any kind of letdown after their showdown with Virginia Tech.
Nov. 15
Michigan State at Wisconsin. If the Spartans have survived Michigan and Ohio State, then it’s another tough road game in Madison. The question is which Badgers team will show up–the one that lost to UNLV and Northwestern or the one that beat Ohio State?
N.C. State at Florida State. The Tar Heels have been a disappointment but they still have a dangerous quarterback in Phillip Rivers and would love to spoil the Seminoles’ perfect ACC season.
Nov. 22
Ohio State at Michigan. It doesn’t matter if neither team is in the title chase, one of the Big Ten’s most recognizable rivalries is always a big game.
Oklahoma at Texas Tech. If you’re the No. 1 team and are facing a quarterback who can put up numbers like the Red Raiders’ B.J. Symons (489.2 yards per game with 36 TD passes), it’s going to be a tough game.
Nov. 29
Florida State at Florida. Always a classic; this one could be for all the BCS bowl marbles.
Miami at Pittsburgh. The Panthers are a dangerous team and an upset is not impossible, especially at home.
Georgia at Georgia Tech. It’s a big rivalry and the Yellow Jackets are not a bad team (5-3).
