USC'S LOSS A WIN FOR THE BIG EAST AND OTHERS
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October 31, 2006
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Matt, SCS.com Staff Writer
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Contact Matt
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Did you happen to see a gigantic upset this weekend that affected several top 15 teams, an upset that exposed a team that should not even be in the top 10? If you answered yes, congratulations! You and the rest of the BCS hopefuls are the big winners. However, there were losers to be found as well. It is hard to believe that this is only USC's third loss in their last 53 games. It was a huge upset for Oregon State, and for the rest of college football.
The Trojans' loss opens the door for an undefeated Big East team to get to the national championship game against the Michigan/Ohio State winner. This makes Thursday's game huge when West Virginia plays at Louisville. Texas also benefited, as long as they can win the rest of their games. The SEC champion may punch its ticket to the title game as long as they have one loss and the Big East flounders.
Cal and Notre Dame are one of the few teams affected negatively. Both wanted to beat USC when they were still undefeated, earning style points. Cal can get to a BCS bowl by winning the Pac-10, but the title games looks out of reach. Notre Dame needs USC to win impressively before they meet on November 25th if they want any chance at sneaking into the title game. Then there is always the chance that the loser of a close Michigan and Ohio State game stays at two in the BCS. No BCS controversy right?
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DATE |
BOWL |
MATCHUP |
Dec. 19 |
Poinsettia |
New Mexico vs. Navy |
Dec. 21 |
Las Vegas |
Oregon State vs. BYU |
Dec. 22 |
New Orleans |
UTEP vs. Middle Tennessee State |
Dec. 23 |
New Mexico |
Air Force vs. San Jose State |
Dec. 23 |
Birmingham |
East Carolina vs. USF |
Dec. 23 |
Armed Forces |
Utah vs. Houston |
Dec. 24 |
Hawaii |
Hawaii vs. Arizona State |
Dec. 26 |
Motor City |
Ohio vs. Cincinnati |
Dec. 27 |
Emerald |
Oregon vs. Maryland |
Dec. 27 |
Independence |
Texas Tech vs. Kentucky |
Dec. 28 |
Holiday |
Oklahoma vs. Southern Cali |
Dec. 28 |
Texas |
Oklahoma State vs. TCU |
Dec. 28 |
MPC Computers |
Nevada vs. Florida State |
Dec. 29 |
Champs Sports |
Virginia Tech vs. Iowa |
Dec. 29 |
Music City |
Alabama vs. Miami (FL) |
Dec. 29 |
Sun |
Washington State vs. Missouri |
Dec. 29 |
Insight |
Indiana vs. Kansas State |
Dec. 30 |
Alamo |
Purdue vs. Texas A&M |
Dec. 30 |
Liberty |
Tulsa vs. Georgia |
Dec. 30 |
Meineke Car Care |
Rutgers vs. Wake Forest |
Dec. 30 |
Chick-fil-A |
South Carolina vs. Georgia Tech |
Jan. 1 |
Gator |
Clemson vs. Louisville |
Jan. 1 |
Cotton |
Nebraska vs. Tennessee |
Jan. 1 |
Outback |
Penn State vs. LSU |
Jan. 1 |
Capital One |
Arkansas vs. Wisconsin |
Jan. 1 |
Rose [BCS] |
Michigan vs. California |
Jan. 1 |
Fiesta [BCS] |
Boise State vs. Texas |
Jan. 2 |
Orange [BCS] |
Auburn vs. Boston College |
Jan. 3 |
Sugar [BCS] |
Florida vs. Notre Dame |
Jan. 6 |
International |
Central Michigan vs. Pittsburgh |
Jan. 7 |
GMAC |
Southern Miss vs. Kent State |
Jan. 8 |
*BCS TITLE* |
Ohio State vs. West Virginia |
WHO'S HOT
Indiana - Coach Terry Hoeppner's Hoosiers (5-4) are looking to go bowling for the first time since 1993. QB Kellen Lewis looks like a future star at Indiana. His favorite target, James Hardy, has eight touchdowns in seven games this year, and seven of those eight scores have come in the past 3 weeks.
Maryland - The Terrapins earned bowl eligibility this weekend when they beat Florida State at home. Maryland blocked FSU's 48-yard field goal attempt to seal the win, and thousands of fans rushed the field and celebrated the big win. UM has a chance to shake up the ACC with games against Clemson, Miami, Boston College, and Wake Forest coming up soon.
Temple - Temple wins and Southern California loses. You are not dreaming, it really happened. The Owls beat Bowling Green 28-14 at home, snapping a 20-game losing streak for TU. This was sweet revenge for the Owls, who lost to Bowling Green by 63 last year.
Washington State - Put on your bowling shoes Cougar fans. Washington State beat UCLA 37-15, making their record 6-3. With games against Arizona, Arizona State, and rival Washington remaining, it is conceivable that Washington State will finish the year with 8 to 9 wins.
Georgia Tech - The ACC has been crazy and unpredictable this year. However, Georgia Tech is almost a lock to make it to the ACC championship game after beating Miami 30-23 on Saturday. If they can get past North Carolina State this weekend, they have only the two worst ACC teams, North Carolina and Duke, left on their conference schedule.
WHO'S NOT
Washington - The once 4-1 Huskies have lost four straight and are losing their chance at bowl eligibility. Arizona State scored a touchdown on its second play in overtime to beat UW 26-23 this past weekend. Ty Willingham needs to get his team back on track before a crucial Apple Cup game.
Florida State - How the mighty have fallen. Florida State is now 4-4 and sits alone at the bottom of the Atlantic division. The perennial ACC powerhouse has lost 3 of its last 4. Coach Bobby Bowden will never be fired. However, he will be feeling pressure to step down or fire his son, Jeff Bowden, in the off-season.
Nebraska - Nebraska had the chance to take control in the Big 12 North after Missouri lost to Oklahoma. After jumping out to a 16-0 lead on Saturday, they were outscored 41-13 by Oklahoma State. The Huskers meet Missouri in an important Big 12 game this weekend.
Rutgers - Rutgers is playing great, do not get me wrong. They are only ranked 15th in the AP and Coaches poll, although they are 8-0. I get the feeling that if they manage to beat Louisville and West Virginia, they will be left out of the national title game. If the Big East is going to be involved in the BCS, then an undefeated Big East team deserves to be in the title game.
San Diego State - The 1-6 Aztecs are having a Temple-like year, as visiting Cal Poly beat the Aztecs 16-14 last weekend. I thought that San Diego State was a program on the rise in the preseason. I was very wrong.
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