Through two weeks of the official BCS rankings, the standings are losing an undefeated team a week. (Sorry, Oklahoma.) And that could have fans of BCS championship contenders worried, for good reason. This week brings a couple of games that could have teams switching places.
BCS Rankings Ramifications: How Week 9 Showdowns Will Affect The Standings
And in breaking what’s down in those games, I offer to eat a certain college football figure’s hat. So there’s that.
No. 1 Auburn at Mississippi, 6:00 p.m.
If Auburn wins: Auburn remains on track to be an undefeated SEC champion and the far-and-away leader of the BCS standings forever and ever amen.
If Mississippi wins: Auburn’s roll to the SEC Championship Game is entirely dependent on beating Arkansas and Alabama, much like last week. And Auburn can’t go undefeated. And: GIGGITY.
No. 2 Oregon vs. USC, 8:00 p.m.
If Oregon wins: The Ducks keep pace for a BCS Championship Game showdown against Auburn. USC remains on pace for 100 Lane Kiffin Smirk Moments.
If USC wins: Oregon’s chances of playing for a national title evaporate, and we are all left to wonder how Lane Kiffin beat Chip Kelly. But Oregon stays atop the Pac-10 conference race and on track to play in a second consecutive Rose Bowl.
No. 4 TCU vs. UNLV, 11:00 p.m.
If TCU wins: The path to BCS frustration is still clear for the Horned Frogs, and Earth spins at its normal speed on its axis.
If UNLV wins: I will eat Les Miles’ hat. (Or an LSU one, at least.)
No. 5 Michigan State at No. 18 Iowa, 3:30 p.m.
If Michigan State wins: The Spartans stay alive for the BCS Championship Game, likely seal a Big Ten championship, and make a BCS bowl berth an almost guaranteed January destination. Iowa becomes the nation’s best three-loss team.
If Iowa wins: Michigan State stays alive for a Big Ten title, but kisses a national championship bid goodbye. Iowa earns a shot to create utter chaos in the Big Ten by beating Ohio State.
No. 6 Missouri at No. 14 Nebraska, 7:00 p.m.
If Missouri wins: The Tigers are all but in the Big 12 Championship Game, and have a great shot at being undefeated Big 12 champions. That laurel would come with an outside shot at the BCS Championship Game. Nebraska’s farewell tour in the Big 12 likely ends without even winning the Big 12 North.
If Nebraska wins: The Cornhuskers take their turn atop the Big 12 this season, passing Missouri and Oklahoma. Missouri’s from-nowhere season likely goes back to nowhere, and a Cotton Bowl berth would make sense.
No. 8 Utah at Air Force, 7:30 p.m.
If Utah wins: The Utes keep their slim BCS hopes alive.
If Air Force wins: The Utes can still play BCS spoiler by downing TCU.
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