Michigan players not only talk about taking it one game at a time, they mean it.
“We’re playing a great team every week that can beat us,” tailback Mike Hart said. “So we can’t look ahead. If we look ahead to Iowa, then Penn State will beat us.”
So Ball State, your Nov. 4 opponent, can beat you?
Hart smiled.
“Yeah, yeah,” he said. “Quote me on that. Yes.”
By throttling Michigan State 31-13 Saturday, the Wolverines remained one of eight unbeaten teams that have a chance to reach the BCS national championship game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
The ninth undefeated team, Boise State, has no hope of finishing in the top two of the Bowl Championship Series standings, which will be released for the first time next Sunday.
The Broncos play one of Division I-A’s weakest schedules, so they’re simply hoping for a Top 12 finish that would guarantee a spot in the BCS’ fifth bowl, the Fiesta.
As we hit the halfway point of the regular season, let’s examine the Great Eight (with new Associated Press ranking and comment):
No. 1 Ohio State
Quarterback Troy Smith has been a master of efficiency, completing 68.2 percent of his passes for 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Toughest remaining games: At Michigan State, Saturday; vs. Michigan, Nov. 18.
Key to survival: Continue to be greedy on defense. Eight Buckeyes have intercepted passes this season.
Chances of playing for the national title: 55 percent.
No. 2 Florida
The Gators survived a messy game Saturday by recovering two LSU fumbles, forcing three interceptions and tallying a safety.
Toughest remaining games: at Auburn, Saturday; vs. Georgia, Oct. 28; SEC championship game, Dec. 2.
Key to survival: Keep healthy a defense that has allowed just 9.5 points per game.
Chances of playing for the national title: 25 percent.
No. 3 USC
For two straight weeks, the Trojans’ defense has needed to thwart a last-minute drive to hang on for a victory.
Toughest remaining games: vs. Oregon, Nov. 11; vs. Cal, Nov. 18; vs. Notre Dame, Nov. 25.
Key to survival: Improvement in the passing game. John David Booty completed just 23 of 40 Saturday against Washington.
Chances of playing for the national title: 20 percent.
No. 4 Michigan
Mario Manningham has caught at least one touchdown pass in four straight games.
Toughest remaining games: at Penn State, Saturday; vs. Iowa, Oct. 21; at Ohio State, Nov. 18.
Key to survival: Continue to have the nation’s best defense against the run (40.3 yards per game).
Chances of playing for the national title: 35 percent.
No. 5 West Virginia
The Mountaineers are grateful that Saturday’s 42-14 victory over Mississippi State wasn’t televised. Why? West Virginia committed 11 penalties for 132 yards.
Toughest remaining games: at Louisville, Nov. 2; at Pittsburgh, Nov. 26; vs. Rutgers, Dec. 2.
Key to survival: Tough to say. The Mountaineers have yet to play anyone, so flaws have yet to be exposed.
Chances of playing for the national title: 30 percent. (All Big East teams likely will need three of the top four teams to lose a game.)
No. 7 Louisville
The Cardinals keep winning despite injuries to running back Michael Bush and quarterback Brian Brohm.
Toughest remaining games: vs. West Virginia, Nov. 2; at Rutgers, Nov. 9; at Pittsburgh, Nov. 25.
Key to survival: Improve a running game that struggled for three quarters Friday against Middle Tennessee State.
Chances of playing for the national title: 20 percent.
No. 19 Missouri
The Tigers’ defense forced five turnovers in Saturday’s 38-21 victory over Texas Tech.
Toughest remaining games: at Texas A&M, Saturday; vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 28; at Nebraska, Nov. 4.
Key to survival: Given the Tigers’ mediocre offense, continue to keep opponents under 21 points a game.
Chances of playing for the national title: Think of the Packers’ hopes of reaching the Super Bowl: less than 1 percent.
No. 24 Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights have allowed just 50 points in their five games.
Toughest remaining games: at Pittsburgh, Oct. 21; vs. Louisville, Nov. 9; at West Virginia, Dec. 2.
Key to survival: Find a passing game. Team ranks 112th nationally with 123.0 passing yards per game.
Chances of playing for the national title: 1 percent.
———-
tgreenstein@tribune.com
