BCS Ranking Comments (2-11-2009)

The new BCS standings are as follows:

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Alabama
4. Iowa
5. Cincinnati
6. TCU7
7. Boise State
8. Oregon
9. LSU
10. Georgia Tech
11. Penn State
12. USC
13. Pittsburgh
14. Utah
15. Houston
16. Ohio State
17. Miami (FL)
18. Arizona
19. Oklahoma State
20. Cal
21. Wisconsin
22. Notre Dame
23. Virginia Tech
24. Oklahoma
25. South Florida

My thoughts:

They got it right with Texas leapfrogging Alabama. I expect the 'Horns to stay there, as 'Bama will have a tough game against LSU this weekend. Here is the criminal injustice in this situation. Oregon are ranked below Iowa. Oregon blew out the #5 team in the nation. Iowa barely snuck home against Indiana, who're not ever mistaken for a national football power. It makes ZERO sense. If I were the guy responsible for the BCS computer, I'd have topped myself weeks back.

Then you have Notre Dame, who've lost to the only ranked team they played, USC, (or maybe it's two; maybe Michigan were ranked when they beat the Irish) and have beaten cream puff teams, usually as a last-gasp effort. How do they get ranked in there at #22? Show me their signature win. Oregon has the USC victory. Florida has LSU. Miami has Oklahoma. USC has/had Ohio State. Houston has Oklahoma State. Georgia Tech has Virginia Tech. Tell me who Notre Dame has? Michigan State? Not likely. Washington State? Hell no. Holy War vs. Boston College? Get outta here!

The thing that gets me is that if you have two 10-2 teams eligible for the Fiesta Bowl at-large bid - projected to be USC and Notre Dame - you figure the Irish will get the nod for prestige sake. That leaves a pretty good USC team, who've beaten some reasonable football teams and who have had a tough schedule, out in the cold. That makes no sense, either. I'm not just saying that as a USC fan. I'd be saying it no matter what team got passed over for an average Notre Dame team. Tell me if you think I'm wrong here, but based on their schedule, the Irish don't deserve a BCS bowl berth. As I said, point me in the direction of their signature win. They have a highway robbery-style arrangement locked in with the NCAA and it's rubbish. Call me when they get a proper schedule and play a few more ranked teams. Send them to the PAC-10, even.

No love for Houston, either. I'm officially campaigning for Case Keenum. Keenum for Heisman! Can I get a "hell yeah!" for that?