With four games left on the schedule for most teams, we're down to a final ten teams that are legitimate contenders for a BCS Title Game berth. Some of these teams play one another, and the field will certainly narrow as we go along, but let's take a moment and look closer at each of the ten remaining viable BCS Title Game contenders.
Really, there are about twelve teams that can be considered legitimate contenders, but we're going to eliminate two of them for the purposes of this discussion. First, we say good-bye to Arkansas, a team which has a shot if it wins out. I just can't see that happening, though, so we're dismissing them for now. Second, we say good-bye to Louisville, which can replace West Virginia on this list on Friday morning. For now, we bid them adieu. Really, though, they're plenty capable of beating WVA. If they do, insert them into the Mountaineers slot.
Below is a ranking of each team's units, with brief commentary following each. I put these together a little more hastily than I would have liked, so if I'm wrong somewhere, feel free to jump in.
Offense, Overall
- Ohio State
- Texas
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- California
- Michigan
- USC
- Notre Dame
- Florida
- Auburn
As for the others, I think Ohio State's got the most balance and the most big play ability, which makes them the obvious #1. Behind them, each team has a weakness. West Virginia runs the ball exceptionally well, but doesn't pass well. California isn't consistent enough to be ranked above the teams in front of them. Michigan's offense is a different animal when Manningham's healthy, but for now, this looks about right.
Offense, Rushing
- West Virginia
- Michigan
- Texas
- Ohio State
- Tennessee
- Auburn
- California
- USC
- Florida
- Notre Dame
For Texas, the big runs haven't been there, but the rush game as a whole is still one of the best. We complain that it doesn't always look good, but Texas continues to average gigantic yards per rush totals. Ugly or not, it works.
Offense, Passing
- Ohio State
- Tennessee
- California
- USC
- Texas
- Michigan
- Notre Dame
- Florida
- Auburn
- West Virginia
The most surprising passing game this season has been Tennessee's, which has roared back from a down year to become a very potent attack. Meanwhile, for Texas, McCoy's making a case to move this team up each week. Since the Ohio State game, he's been one of the nation's best, by any standard. The team to watch, of course, is Michigan, which is plodding along fine without Manningham, but will need him for the big game at the end of the season.
Defense, Overall
- Florida
- Michigan
- Ohio State
- Auburn
- USC
- Texas
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- California
- Notre Dame
Ohio State is playing very solid defense, and though they haven't been tested by an elite offense yet, they're playing good football. We'll get a good look at what the Mountaineer defense is capable of Thursday night. For the Horns, the run defense is terrific, but our struggles with the pass are well documented.
Defense, Rushing
- Michigan
- Texas
- Florida
- USC
- Ohio State
- Auburn
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- California
- Notre Dame
Defense, Passing
- Florida
- Auburn
- USC
- Tennessee
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- West Virginia
- Notre Dame
- California
- Texas
--PB--