Is the BCS championship party finally over for SEC?

Will an SEC team get its hands on the BCS "Coaches' Trophy" this bowl season?

Will an SEC team get its hands on BCS "Coaches' Trophy" this year?

The BCS championship game was designed to determine the best college football team in the land. What it mostly has done is reaffirm the best conference in the land.

SEC teams have won the last four titles and the most overall (six) since the BCS championship began in 1998.

The conference standings of BCS games look like Godzilla vs. Bambi.

Ready? Listed in order of wins: SEC 6-0, Big 12 2-5, ACC 1-2, Big East 1-2, Big Ten 1-2, Pacific 10 1-1 (and USC’s win has been detonated by NCAA probation).

With that as a backdrop, here’s what the SEC is looking at today: The possible end of the party. The first BCS rankings came out Sunday night and there are three teams — Oklahoma, Oregon and Boise State — before you get to the first entry from the SEC (Auburn). A lot can happen in the next seven weeks (conference championship games included). But right now odds are against an SEC team making it into the BCS national title game.

Here is how things lay out for the three SEC teams with a title game shot (including their BCS ranking):

4. Auburn (7-0): If the Tigers win out, they almost certainly will make it into the game because of their strength of schedule. But that means defeating LSU, Alabama (road), Mississippi and Georgia. What are the odds of that?

6. LSU (7-0): LSU also has the strength of schedule thing going for it. But Les Miles has walked on hot coals all season and his luck may be running out: The Tigers’ next two games are at Auburn and against Alabama. The regular season’s final game on the schedule: at Arkansas. It’s not going to be easy.

8. Alabama (6-1): The Tide was upset by South Carolina two weeks ago. In addition to the aforementioned meetings against Auburn and at LSU, a meeting with Mississippi State suddenly doesn’t look like a gimme. (Oh, there’s also that game against Georgia State.)

Here’s where we get back to the argument: Is a one-loss SEC team more deserving to get into a title game than an undefeated team from the WAC or Mountain West?

Compare Auburn’s, LSU’s and Alabama’s remaining schedules with other schools near the top of the BCS rankings:

1.  Oklahoma (6-0):  The Sooners already have beaten Florida State and Texas and have only two difficult games remaining: at Missouri this week and against Oklahoma State at the end of the year, as well as the potential Big 12 title game.

2.  Oregon (6-0):  The Ducks’ biggest win has been over No. 9 Stanford.  It has only one currently ranked opponent left on the schedule (Arizona at home), although road games at USC and at rival Oregon State at the end of the year won’t be easy.

3.  Boise State (6-0):  This is stacked for the Broncos. Their remaining schedule is like Cupcake Heaven: Louisiana Tech, Hawaii, Idaho, Fresno State, Nevada, Utah State — Nevada (6-1) being the only good team.

5. TCU (7-0): The Horned Frogs also have only one tough opponent left: at Utah (which is No. 9 on the BCS list).

7.  Michigan State (7-0): If the Spartans already have beaten Wisconsin and Michigan and don’t play Ohio State. can win at Iowa in two weeks, there’s not another threat on their schedule.

So there it is. Do you agree things look tough for the SEC? And let’s get back to the annual debate:  Should a one-loss SEC school get into the title game over an undefeated school from a lesser conference?

The entire BCS rankings:

Team BCS Average
1 Oklahoma .9215
2 Oregon .8921
3 Boise State .8898
4 Auburn .8641
5 TCU .8573
6 LSU .8245
7 Michigan State .7628
8 Alabama .6654
9 Utah .6540
10 Ohio State .5726
11 Missouri .5491
12 Stanford .5374
13 Wisconsin .5335
14 Oklahoma State .5261
15 Iowa .4824
16 Nebraska .4295
17 Florida State .4267
18 Arizona .3807
19 Texas .2214
20 West Virginia .1812
21 South Carolina .1555
22 Kansas State .1422
23 Arkansas .1302
24 Mississippi State .1253
25 Virginia Tech .0658

Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC

448 comments Add your comment

Mike Bobo 17 INT

October 18th, 2010
9:41 am

I tend to agree with Clawdawg, Auburn is going to run out of gas and quite frankly, I think UGA will give them a run for their money, if UGA continues to play well.

Clawdawg

October 18th, 2010
9:41 am

BTW , “WDE” is for that War Damn Eagle Kliensfeltor!

Mobile Dawg

October 18th, 2010
9:41 am

AU is a one horse rodeo unfortunately. If Newton goes down you guys are toast….

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:42 am

“I expect Auburn to go undefeated, and then get jobbed again in the BCS. Look at it now – there’s NO WAY an undefeated Auburn team is going to out-poll an undefeated Boise State team, and someone else will hang on at the top.”

Ok, so an undefeated Auburn that plays in the toughest conference in college football will be left out because of a team that plays one ranked team?

No way an undefeated Auburn team gets the shaft again.

Mike Bobo 17 INT

October 18th, 2010
9:42 am

Jeff, I do agree that LSU has their work cut out for them, but I think Alabama could run the table based on their current attitude after losing to USC, and they will win the SEC title, which could put them back in the title game.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:43 am

“If Newton goes down you guys are toast….”

That can be said of almost every team in college football. Arkansas, Alabama, Boise, Ohio State, etc……

Mike Bobo 17 INT

October 18th, 2010
9:43 am

Bottom line, Meyer, Miles, Stoops, and even Saban find a way to win, which is championship coaching. All of these coaches have national titles in their cases, what about Athens?

Clawdawg

October 18th, 2010
9:45 am

Enter your comments here

jars

October 18th, 2010
9:45 am

@ kingcool –

Don’t be an idiot. The SEC owns the BCS era. Not even debatable.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:45 am

“Auburn (one player) and LSU are pretenders. Auburn should’ve lost to Ky and Miss St. ”

Woulda, coulda, shoulda…… BUT THEY DIDN’T!!!!!!

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:46 am

“Meyer, Miles, Stoops, and even Saban find a way to win’

Meyer is 0-3 in his last three games. Stoops can’t win the big game. Saban is fine though.

Sam

October 18th, 2010
9:46 am

@ Mike Bobo 17 INT,

If I were you I’d be more concerned with why your team needed to go to plan B at half time on Saturday just to defeat MTSU

Sam

October 18th, 2010
9:49 am

Auburn has zero defense. Unless they shore it up it will eventually catch up to them

Atticus

October 18th, 2010
9:49 am

WDE, I didn’t say that Aub sucks, just said they aren’t national championship material. If they run the table, they are anfd I will change my opinion. But talking about it now is FOOLISH.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:51 am

“Auburn could be the real deal, but I am sure they will run out of gas once Cam Newton is injured.”

A lot of sick people on this blog who are wishing for Cam Newton to get hurt.

Mobile Dawg

October 18th, 2010
9:51 am

“War Damn Eagle” , like a little fish you bit, even though I didn’t pull your chain. You boy, are a disgrace to Auburn, both Alumni and Fans.

The harsh truth (which you can’t accept) is that Auburn is a “one man team” right now. That said, I wish AU the best this year, except against the Dawgs. Show a little class “War Damn Eagle”.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:51 am

“Auburn has zero defense. Unless they shore it up it will eventually catch up to them”

That’s what you clowns said 4 weeks ago.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:52 am

“just said they aren’t national championship material.’

OH, so because YOU say they aren’t! LOL

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
9:54 am

“You boy, are a disgrace to Auburn, both Alumni and Fans.’

Keep telling yourself that, ma’am. Guess you’ve been drinking too much spilled oil down in Mobile.

“The harsh truth (which you can’t accept) is that Auburn is a “one man team” right now.’

So was Florida and it worked out well for them.

“Show a little class “War Damn Eagle”.”

Love it when hypocritical dawg fans tell others to show class all while ignoring comments from retards in their own fan base.

Uuugh...

October 18th, 2010
9:54 am

Mike Bobo 17 INT says “but just schedule Texas, OU, OSU, or even TT as a road opener, then come see me.”

You sir are an idiot. blogger after blogger after blogger has already said here that the SEC is the strongest conference. They are the strongest conference because there is more parity than in other conferences. Any SEC team can beat any other SEC team on a given Saturday. That is just not the case in other conferences who have one maybe 2 good teams (except the ACC where there are really no good teams). Oklahoma would go through an SEC schedule with 2-3 losses a season. Oregon or Boise State would be 3-4 losses a season.

Sure Utah beat Bama a couple of seasons ago…but they didn’t beat the Bama that rolled through the regular season. Their stud linemen was out…and Bama ran behind him 2/3rds of the time.

Oregon (Pac-10) whooped up on Tennessee (SEC) this year…but so did UGA–and they have their worst team in years!

I am not saying that SEC teams don’t blow each other out every once in a while. I am saying that you can’t blow every SEC team out. And SEC teams don’t get to relax for 4 or 5 games resting up and practicing for their next tough opponent like they do in the other leagues.

Therefore Bobo…an SEC team does not need to schedule a good OOC team to play to satisfy you or anybody else for that matter.

hmm

October 18th, 2010
9:54 am

Jeff,

Not sure where you are getting your reasoning. Everyone knows a one loss SEC team is an automatic given to play for the national championship. And in a year like this, even a two loss SEC team should be given a nod. I think you are just trying to kick up some dirt……

Mike Bobo 17 INT

October 18th, 2010
9:55 am

War Pigeon (i.e. War Damn Eagle)

Auburn will run out of gas, because Cheese Nip does not have what it takes to beat Saban, Meyer or even Miles. They will run circles around him.

In terms of Florida, they are having an off year, but let’s break down their titles along with any Auburn titles. What is the score? That’s right, Auburn zero, so until you win a title or even get past LSU, you might want to keep a low profile.

You really think you are going to beat Alabama? LOL!!! Not a chance.

Where is War Damn Eagle!!! Now?

October 18th, 2010
9:56 am

World of Warcraft server failed again huh tech fan? Don’t worry I am sure they’ll have it back up ASAP. Jackass.

Atticus

October 18th, 2010
9:59 am

No….IDIOT listen. Because its my opinion and last I checked you haven’t won the SEC. Just ask SC about putting the cart before the horse….which you would understand…being from a cow town. GT has more SEC titles than Aub. Bwahhaaa! And by the way, as bad as GA has been …when did Aub last beat them?

Sam

October 18th, 2010
9:59 am

Auburn is giving up an avg. of 24 points per game. Even UGA with their atrocious defense is only giving up 17 a game.

How on earth is Auburn going to win a championship when their defense is even worse than the Dawgs????

Sam

October 18th, 2010
10:00 am

Mike Bobo = Bitter jackette fan

Mike Bobo 17 INT

October 18th, 2010
10:01 am

Florida will win the SEC East, because they will run the table on their remaining SEC schedule. They may have a few problems with USC, but they will easily handle Vandy, UGA.

Alabama will bounce back and win the SEC west, including a beatdown on Auburn. Even if they tie with Auburn, the beatdown will give them the SEC West based on head-to-head.

Alabama will win the SEC, and play OU in the NC title game, because Alabama will get huge style points for winning the SEC and will hammer anything in their path from here until the SEC game.

Uuugh...

October 18th, 2010
10:02 am

And Mike Bobo–What makes you think any of those schools would take the game?

Do you think Texas would benefit in ANY way from taking such a risk early in the season!? No. They don’t need the publicity. Same with Oklahoma.

OSU and TT could probably benefit from such a game…but then the SEC team takes all the risk. Because you wouldn’t be losing to a top tier team if you did lose.

UGA learned this first hand. Now look who we schedule for OOC games.

Mike Bobo 17 INT

October 18th, 2010
10:02 am

Sam, not a tech fan, GT sucks.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:05 am

“Auburn will run out of gas, because Cheese Nip does not have what it takes to beat Saban, Meyer or even Miles. They will run circles around him.”

Meyer is 0-2 against Auburn. Saban is 5-4 all-time.

“That’s right, Auburn zero, so until you win a title or even get past LSU, you might want to keep a low profile. ”

LOLOL

“You really think you are going to beat Alabama? LOL!!! Not a chance.”

Chizek almost beat Bama last year with a mediocre offense and defense.

Mike Bobo 17 INT

October 18th, 2010
10:05 am

Uuugh…

If you are going to take a loss, take it early, but at least try and gain some style points by scheduling a tough opener on the road. UGA fell in the first 2 weeks on 2008 after being ranked #1 because they were playing weak opponents. Then they went on the road and lost to OSU in the opener, and went into a death spiral.

Basically, if we could remove the BCS and create a top 8 or top 16 playoff system, then that would kiill alot of these arguments, but until then, the debate rages on.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:06 am

“Because its my opinion and last I checked you haven’t won the SEC. Just ask SC about putting the cart before the horse….which you would understand…being from a cow town.”

We beat SC, dumb a$$.

Cow town?????? I’m from Chicago, you effing retard.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:06 am

“Even UGA with their atrocious defense is only giving up 17 a game. ”

USC gave up 35 to Auburn. Arkansas gave up 65 to Auburn. UGAY is next.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:07 am

“Alabama will bounce back and win the SEC west, including a beatdown on Auburn.”

A week ago, retards like you said that Arkansas would destroy Auburn.

THE ANSWER

October 18th, 2010
10:08 am

The SEC is 16-5 in BCS games. Now sit down and shut up.

NEXT!!!!!!!

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:09 am

“If you are going to take a loss, take it early, but at least try and gain some style points by scheduling a tough opener on the road.”

Cam Newton IS style points. He leaped over the Arkansas defense on Saturday.

Atticus

October 18th, 2010
10:09 am

WDE-Auburn is a cow town. Chicago is even worse.

You beat SC big $hit. I mentioned them because they had penciled in the national championship and then lost to KY. Auburn has less SEC titles than GT. Nice. You have no facts, no leg to stand on because you are always Bamas bitch. So you just throw out garbage.

Sam

October 18th, 2010
10:09 am

Of course you are a Yech fan. No one else would waste their time with a handle that mocks a UGA player/coach.

Why don’t you have the stones to just admit the obvious??

Uuugh...

October 18th, 2010
10:10 am

Mike Bobo 17 INT says “Florida will win the SEC East, because they will run the table on their remaining SEC schedule. They may have a few problems with USC, but they will easily handle Vandy, UGA.”

Wrong again Flanders. Florida will handle Vandy. UF and UGA is a coin flip this year, provided UGA has their mind right. USC beats Florida handily this year–provided Lattimore is healthy. He makes that team go.

I ask you this…Do you even watch college football or do you just stir up trouble on blogs being contrary for contrariness’ sake?

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:10 am

“Alabama will win the SEC, and play OU in the NC title game, because Alabama will get huge style points for winning the SEC ”

What style points have the tampon tide shown? Ingram is OUT of the Heisman race. LOL

Sam

October 18th, 2010
10:10 am

Auburn’s defense is horrible. Why can you not admit to the obvious? So many weirdos on here this morning…..

Next they are going to argue there really 8 days in a week….LOL!!!!!

[...] Since the BCS standings came out last night, I’ve had a few fans ask me what it would take for Georgia or Georgia Tech to crack the upper levels of the rankings. [...]

Daniel

October 18th, 2010
10:12 am

Wow, now the Auburn fans are thinking they are going to hang 100 on the Dawgs? One good shot to Newton and your TEAM will be sidelined.

Besides, how many has UGA won in a row now against the kittens? 5?

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:12 am

“Chicago is even worse.”

You don’t get out much do you retard?

“I mentioned them because they had penciled in the national championship and then lost to KY.’

No they didn’t. Those are your words not theirs.

“Auburn has less SEC titles than GT.”

WTF are you talking about, dumb a$$?

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:12 am

“Besides, how many has UGA won in a row now against the kittens? 5?”

4, dumb a$$.

The mighty ACC!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:13 am

Well we have 2 BCS wins!!!!! So suck it!!!

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:13 am

“Auburn’s defense is horrible.”

Auburn is 7-0. UGAY is 3-4

“Why can you not admit to the obvious?”

I did, UGAY sucks.

Daniel

October 18th, 2010
10:14 am

Riiiiiiiiiight. I’m a “dumba$$” for losing track of our dominance over the kittens. Maybe I was just getting ahead of myself and going ahead and counting our victory this year with our freshman QB ;)

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!!

October 18th, 2010
10:15 am

“Riiiiiiiiiight. I’m a “dumba$$”

Nice to see you are in agreement.

“Maybe I was just getting ahead of myself and going ahead and counting our victory this year with our freshman QB”

That must be the same as when dawg fans said they’d run the table in the SEC East this year.

JL

October 18th, 2010
10:16 am

This is why college football is a joke. No top team is willing to play a Boise State or a TCU, yet both Boise and Texas Christian get penalized for not playing a top team. The NCAA needs to force the schedule, make teams like Oklahoma, or Alabama, or Ohio State, play teams like Boise, or TCU. But the “big” schools are too afraid (read that, too cowardly) to do so. So Alabama can schedule Georgia State, but won’t go outside the conference to play Boise. Give the smaller schools the chance and let’s see how good they really are. Untul that’s done, then college football is a joke.