UGA moves to No. 3 in BCS standings, within reach of national-title game
The scores from Eugene, Ore., and Waco, Texas, reverberated loudly across this state, seemingly putting the Georgia Bulldogs two victories away from playing for college football’s national championship.
Saturday night’s losses by previously No. 1 Kansas State (to Baylor) and previously No. 2 Oregon (to Stanford) triggered a celebration among Georgia fans and a shakeup of the Bowl Championship Series pecking order. In the latest BCS standings, released Sunday night, Notre Dame moved to No. 1, Alabama to No. 2 and Georgia to No. 3.
That means, BCS analysts agreed, that if Georgia beats Georgia Tech and Alabama beats Auburn this week, then the winner of the Dec. 1 SEC Championship game between the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide would play for the national title.
The top two teams in the final BCS standings, to be released Dec. 2, earn berths in the title game, which will be played Jan. 7 in Miami. Georgia has not played for a national championship in the BCS era and last won the title in the 1980 season.
The losses by Kansas State and Oregon came just one week after Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M seemingly left the SEC at serious risk of not putting a team in this season’s BCS title game. Last week, Alabama and Georgia were Nos. 4 and 5 in the standings, behind three undefeated teams. That meant the league with six consecutive national championships could get back to the title game only if two of the three unbeaten teams ahead of Alabama and Georgia lost a game.
And on one chaotic night, two of the three did just that.
“Thank you Baylor, thank you Stanford,” Georgia cornerback Sanders Commings reacted via Twitter.
“We control our own destiny,” UGA linebacker Christian Robinson tweeted.
The turn of events raised the stakes for Georgia’s regular-season finale against Georgia Tech. The rivals will play at noon Saturday in Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs (10-1, 7-1 SEC) would be knocked out of the national-title picture by a loss to the Yellow Jackets (6-5, 5-3 ACC).
On his weekly teleconference with reporters Sunday night, Georgia coach Mark Richt was asked a half-dozen questions about the BCS picture. Each time, he responded by talking about the game against Tech.
Richt wouldn’t even say whether he watched the Oregon-Stanford and/or Kansas State-Baylor games.
“You know what? I was thinking about Tech that night, all night, knowing what a big game it is,” he said.
Alabama is in a similar situation this week, also facing its in-state rival. But while Georgia has clinched the SEC East’s berth for the league title game at the Georgia Dome, Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC) must beat Auburn (3-8, 0-7) to represent the Western Divison there.
The SEC, of course, wasn’t the only beneficiary of Kansas State’s 52-24 loss to Baylor and Oregon’s 17-14 overtime loss to Stanford.
Notre Dame (11-0) moved from No. 3 to No. 1 in the BCS standings and can assure itself a spot in the national-title game by winning its regular-season finale at USC.
Brad Edwards, ESPN’s BCS analyst, expressed confidence after Saturday’s results that the SEC Championship game winner would get the other berth, provided Georgia beats Tech and Alabama beats Auburn. Fellow analysts Mark May, Lou Holtz and Kirk Herbstreit agreed.
Of course, there could be complications that again scramble the picture, such as a loss by Notre Dame, Alabama or Georgia this week.
If Notre Dame loses, there would be no unbeaten team left in the national-championship mix, and there surely would be an intense debate about who should play the SEC champion in Miami. In that case, another SEC team — Florida, which is No. 4 in this week’s standings — could be next in line if it wins its regular-season finale against Florida State.
Oregon is No. 5, Kansas State No. 6 and LSU No. 7 in this week’s standings.
The BCS standings include three components that count one-third each: the USA Today poll of current coaches; the Harris Interactive poll of former coaches, administrators and players and current and former media members; and an average of six computer polls. Notre Dame is No. 1 in all three components this week.
Georgia is No. 3 in the USA Today poll (up from No. 4 last week), No. 3 in the Harris poll (up from No. 5) and No. 6 in the computers (same as last week). Alabama is No. 2 in the USA Today and Harris polls and No. 3 in the computers.
The Associated Press poll, which is not part of the BCS formula, also has Notre Dame No. 1, Alabama No. 2 and Georgia No. 3 this week.
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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367 comments Add your comment
charliecfbfan
November 18th, 2012
11:43 pm
It’s clear that we live in two different worlds not so fast and i along with the rest of society and the life of the GT football fans who just can’t seem to stop posting on Georgia news boards. What’s the point in debating such a foolish person(s). I’m out, hope y’all get some help, I’ll be praying for ya.
GTBob
November 18th, 2012
11:43 pm
Now to verify your point they’re solid.Which is it Bob?
Stanford has a good team this year. Overall, they do not have a good program. If they can sustain this success for several more years it will be impressive. It most likely won’t happen though.
Dawg4Life
November 18th, 2012
11:47 pm
2012 Ga. Dawgs- a team of destiny
charliecfbfan
November 18th, 2012
11:49 pm
So you are a Fan but she is PAID by ESPN but you think you know more about Football then her because you pee standing up? Your wife must be so happy to be married to you.
diversity in the workplace, every company is doing it…it’s the feminization of sports..nothing wrong with women..but i like sports the way they are, i don’t have to see a high scoring game with lots of action just so people like urself and other females can pay attention..moron
DSGB
November 18th, 2012
11:50 pm
GT bob, Nov 24 your mouth will be shit for another 365 days……
Beat down in Athens town volume 13 coming up!
Rick James
November 18th, 2012
11:51 pm
@GTBob
Stanford has a good team this year. Overall, they do not have a good program. If they can sustain this success for several more years it will be impressive. It most likely won’t happen though.
————————————————————————————————————————
You’re backtracking..The Notre Dame win over Stanford is not impressive.
Southeast Bulldog
November 18th, 2012
11:51 pm
Wreck Tech!
Ohhhh YEAH!
Lonnie
November 18th, 2012
11:51 pm
Put in timeout. Perhaps you are right and we Are not that good well that is to our advantage being the most likely to lose because we can play as underdawgs!!!! This time is the only time that matters!!! Since first quarter iagsinst Florida Murray has been lights out! I will take our chances!!!!
Go Red and Black
November 18th, 2012
11:52 pm
Some one call Shawn Williams and tell him to Call out the team again please!
Destiny
November 19th, 2012
12:03 am
Triple floption time, i think this on will be over by halftime!
Go dawgs!
GTBob
November 19th, 2012
12:03 am
GT bob, Nov 24 your mouth will be shut for another 365 days……
Yeah, I have been real quiet for the last 365 days.
GTBob
November 19th, 2012
12:04 am
You’re backtracking..The Notre Dame win over Stanford is not impressive.
It was more impressive then any win UGA has had this season.
NCDawg
November 19th, 2012
12:05 am
GTBob… how can you even begin to call your pitiful commentary objective? You come of UGA blogs because the Tech blogs are dead and you need an outlet for your overwhelming sorrow at the state of Georgia Tech football. And being a total loser you make asinine jabs at your team’s most bitter rival. You can’t stand that The Georgia Bulldogs are a real football team and your pitiful Yellow Jackets are not. And just like the jealous geek in high school that can’t get a woman, even the ugliest cow to even look at him, you rail away at the stud that has everything you want.
Now I don’t pretend objectivity but here is a total LOGICAL analysis of the upcoming game this week. The garbage can scavengers (that is what yellow jackets are BTW) have a horrific defense and run a gimmick offense that preys on the simple fact that no one else runs anything like it and it is difficult to simulate in practice. The Bulldogs just played a team that runs the same offense and did a good job of shutting it down in the second half… after they got accustomed to it. Now… using logic… what does that tell you about what the bumbly bees will face this week? Hint: One major advantage for Tech is gone. The Bulldogs will be up to speed on handling Moobs Johnson’s gimmick offense.
Georgia will be the best offense Tech has faced all year. What does that mean? The Bumbly Bees horrid defense will be hemorrhaging yards and points like a freshly decapitated corpse. Their only hope is to win a shootout and that just went down the tubes because the only thing that allows them to score enough points to offset their lousy defense is the uniqueness of their offense. Georgia has more experience against that offense than any of their prior opponents AND more firepower than any of their previous opponents. The logical conclusion… win # 11 for Georgia.
Go whine about how over rated FSU is or something.
@ GTBob
November 19th, 2012
12:08 am
Notre Dame’s win over Stanford was NOT impressive. It wouldn’t have happened if not for a VERY questionable call. Get real.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
12:09 am
Destiny
November 19th, 2012
12:03 am
Triple floption time, i think this on will be over by halftime!
Go dawgs!
==========================================
Yes like the Mizzou, Tennessee & Kentucky games were over at halftime?
Shirley
November 19th, 2012
12:22 am
To Bergermot: I feel sorry for you. You must be the most unhappy person in the world, considering your attitude. As for UGA having players with off field problems, they have had and surely will in the future, just as all college teams do. The others manage to cover it up, and when a player screws up at Georgia, CMR takes swift , fair and appropriate action. His rules policies, especially drugs, are very tough. I will pray for your attitude adjustment and that you will find happiness.
Really?
November 19th, 2012
12:33 am
Hey Bob, I saw your reference to Georgia’s rather ugly wins over UK and UT. Along those lines, were ND’s ugly home wins over BYU and Pitt “impressive”? How about that “convincing” win over a horrific Boston College team? I’m just
trying to get a gauge on your standards. After all, you provide nothing but “objective analysis,” right?
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
12:33 am
The fact of the matter is if UGA wins out they would have beaten two teams who were in the top 5 at that time and in the top five near the end of the season. But I hope to god ND wins or if they don’t beat USC that FSU beats Florida. Because UGA vs Florida II would suck.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
12:37 am
UGa vs Florida II will NEVER happen. The BCS learned that mistake last year. The TV ratings sucked.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
12:41 am
There isn’t a person in the US that watches college football that believes UGa vs Florida would be the 2 best teams to play for a BCS Championship.
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
12:41 am
Well if UGA wins out and ND loses and Florida beats FSU I don’t see how it won’t happen the computers love Florida for some reason.
flatsdawg1
November 19th, 2012
12:41 am
38-20 Dawgs over technologeeks. Then the real focus begins. The crystal trophy is there for the taking.
GTBob
November 19th, 2012
12:44 am
Well if UGA wins out and ND loses and Florida beats FSU I don’t see how it won’t happen the computers love Florida for some reason.
I really don’t see the voters putting Florida in in any situation. Expect another 1 loss team to jump them if that unlikely scenario were to occur.
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
12:45 am
The seething jealously and hatred is oozing from the Nerd trolls. Suckit Nerds and pray you make it to Boise if Shalala is feeling charitable. You can find The Dawg Nation in Miami bring home the 7th straight BCS crystal to the SEC
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
12:48 am
Florida is #2 in all the computer rankings except one they are 6th. The BCS drops your lowest computer ranking. If Alabama and Georgia win this weekend they will remain 2 and 3 in the BCS. So the SECCG would be the play in for one half of the title game. If Florida beats FSU it’s not going to hurt their computer rankings at all. So the human pollsters would have to give them a big drop after that, which I don’t see happening. Thus, if all the SEC teams in the top 4 win and ND loses its going to be SECCG winner vs Florida.
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
12:49 am
Oregon would have to lose again for FL to have a fighting chance if those scenarios were to come to fruition. The odds are bad all of those things could happen for a Gatorbowl rematch. Still mathematically possible though.
What is a crying shame is these nerd trolls on this blog have no comprehension of basic math and the BCS
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
12:50 am
Miami is not playing in the ACC CG or a bowl game. The decision is made it just is being held from publication.
UGa will not be in the BCS CG. I don’t think their schedule has enough strength to move them that high in the polls & I don’t see them beating BAMA…Murray is 3-9 against top 25 teams and I don’t see him winning against Bama or a BCS CG if UGa were to make it there.
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
12:51 am
Not so fast.
Oregon remained ahead of FL in the BCS didn’t they?
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
12:52 am
POAD
Too bad you don’t have a vote in the matter, huh?
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
12:56 am
Actually Oregon needs Florida to lose before they could jump them because of the computer rankings. Florida has a .960 computer ranking which is second only to Notre Dame. Oregon’s only shot to significantly improve that would be for Stanford to lose to UCLA and then they would play in the PAC 12 championship. Florida would also gain a spot in the USA today poll because FSU is ahead of them. That’s too big of a whole fir Oregon to climb if Florida wins out. Their computer ranking is .800
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
12:58 am
BCS rankings and numbers
1 Notre Dame .9973
2 Alabama .9333
3 Georgia .8763
4 Florida .8434
5 Oregon .8318
6 Kansas State .7692
7 LSU .7303
8 Stanford .7077
9 Texas A&M .6526
10 Florida State .6363
Sorry I think UGa, Florida and Stanford are all overrated.
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
12:59 am
No Florida is ahead of Oregon in the BCS. Florida actually isn’t that far behind UGA in the BCS rankings. Bcs: ND, Alabama, UGA, Florida, and then Oregon. Florida has a higher computer rank than anyone except ND.
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
1:01 am
BCS Harris Poll USA Today Computer Rankings
RK TEAM AVG PVS RK PTS % RK PTS % AVG A&H RB CM KM JS PW %
1 Notre Dame .9973 3 1 2863 .9958 1 1469 .9959 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.000
2 Alabama .9333 4 2 2732 .9503 2 1386 .9397 3 5 2 4 3 3 3 .910
3 Georgia .8763 5 3 2573 .8950 3 1348 .9139 6 4 5 7 7 6 4 .820
4 Florida .8434 6 5 2242 .7798 6 1166 .7905 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 .960
5 Oregon .8318 2 4 2483 .8637 4 1227 .8319 7 7 4 6 6 5 8 .800
GTBob
November 19th, 2012
1:04 am
Actually Oregon needs Florida to lose before they could jump them because of the computer rankings.
If the voters would rather have Oregon in the NC than Florida then they will vote accordingly. I could easily see Florida falling in the human rankings just to ensure that scenario.
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
1:04 am
POAD
We don’t care what you think. It’s all mind over matter. You don’t matter and we don’t mind. Have you sent emails to Dr. Shalala yet to insure Techs spot in the weak ACCCG with your shameful 5-3 record?
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
1:06 am
Florida is 5 and 6 in the human polls and 2 in the computer. A win against FSU isn’t going to hurt any of those numbers. Even though the computer polls hate FSU for some reason. They are 22 in one and not even ranked in another. But I think it really doesn’t matter because I don’t see ND losing especially considering Barkley is out for the game.
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
1:08 am
If the voters would rather have Oregon in the NC than Florida then they will vote accordingly. I could easily see Florida falling in the human rankings just to ensure that scenario.
______________________
GTBob, why do you speak out of both sides of your mouth? If FL beats the ACC powerhouse and 10th ranked FSU that will be their 5th win against a top ten team. How could the human voters deny that that?
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
1:10 am
The computer diesn’t hate FSU, they simply have no power rankings. They play the weak ACC teams. That leaves them without substance
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
1:11 am
I obviously do Matter and you do Mind because you feel the need to respond to me.
Wow so no team has ever made it a championship game with a 5-3 conference record? Show what you know.
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
1:11 am
GtBob who are the human voters going to put ahead of Florida if they beat FSU? Oregon is already ahead of them in the polls. Their computer ranking would have to drop and that’s not going to happen because of who they beat and who they lost to.
GTBob
November 19th, 2012
1:12 am
How could the human voters deny that that?
Because they didn’t even win their division of their conference and they have looked awful a good bit of the season.I could see Oregon, K-State, and Notre Dame finishing ahead of them even if Notre Dame loses. You can’t almost lose to La -Lafayette, Missouri, and Bowling Green, then turn the ball over 6 times in a terrible performance against UGA, and expect to be in the National Championship game.
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
1:14 am
POAD
If you bugs get there it will only be because Miami’s administration’s wave of a pen. Not your lame teams record. That’s got to be a boost of that confidence huh?
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
1:14 am
Should you dwag fans WORRY about somebody calling McGarity about talking to BOBO for an open SEC Head Coaching Job……Hahaha right like anybody wants BOBO.
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
1:14 am
ARDawg I’m love the SEC but the computers are on crack if they think there are 25 teams or 22 teams better than FSU….The computers are a joke.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 19th, 2012
1:16 am
And the ONLY reason UGa is in the Dome is because the SEC was nice to them on the schedule with a wave of a pen too………
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
1:16 am
GTBobby
You live in a fantasy land. Don’t put too much stock in near wins or losses. It’s the wins and losses that matter and who those wins and losses came against. No other team has played 5 top 10 teams, much less beat them
GTBob
November 19th, 2012
1:18 am
GtBob who are the human voters going to put ahead of Florida if they beat FSU?
This is assuming Notre Dame loses. I could see K-State jumping back ahead of Florida with a convincing win against Texas. Notre Dame could stay above them. Oregon would move to number two in the polls while Florida would be 5th and Oregon would be 2nd in the human polls. That might be enough to offset it. If not it wouldn’t be that hard to put Alabama ahead of Florida as well or possibly another 2 loss team. If they want to do it, they easily can. No one believes Florida is one of the two best teams in the country.
ARdawg
November 19th, 2012
1:19 am
Not so fast, I’d be inclined to agree with you. But, don’t overlook FSU’s loss to NC ST and then who their wins have been against. The ACC is weaker than Conference USA in formula speak.
Not So Fast
November 19th, 2012
1:19 am
And as far as UGA’s schedule and people talking about how bad it is funny how people don’t point out that Alabama’s schedule in the SEC was just as bad UGA’s. I mean they avoided USC, Florida, and UGA.
Jp
November 19th, 2012
1:19 am
Hey gt bob if your aunt had balls she would be your uncle