[socalstanfan1]

I think, with all the upsets, this is the week Oregon State endsmupmi the top 25. I actually think they are better all-around than Arizona State, a team that plays out of their minds at home, but play like their minds are someplace else when they go on the road. OSU seems to me to be dangerous anywhere. But they are a great tune-up for Oregon, with lots,of,receivers scattering everywhere. I think our D at this point has been created to handle the spread offenses: dominant and disciplined front seven to control the line of scrimmage, and surprisingly (to our opponents) front seven, that can run with their receivers and still play physical. I think we can beat OSU on the road, then come back for the big game against Oregon. If we beat a ranked OAU team on the road, then beat an undefeated Oregon team which will probably still be ranked #2 in the country at that time, I'm guessing we would be no lower than #4, maybe higher depending on what happens with teams like Missouri, Florida State, and Alabama.

[socalstanfan1]

I think, with all the upsets, this is the week Oregon State endsmupmi the top 25. I actually think they are better all-around than Arizona State, a team that plays out of their minds at home, but play like their minds are someplace else when they go on the road. OSU seems to me to be dangerous anywhere. But they are a great tune-up for Oregon, with lots,of,receivers scattering everywhere. I think our D at this point has been created to handle the spread offenses: dominant and disciplined front seven to control the line of scrimmage, and surprisingly (to our opponents) front seven, that can run with their receivers and still play physical. I think we can beat OSU on the road, then come back for the big game against Oregon. If we beat a ranked OAU team on the road, then beat an undefeated Oregon team which will probably still be ranked #2 in the country at that time, I'm guessing we would be no lower than #4, maybe higher depending on what happens with teams like Missouri, Florida State, and Alabama.

[stupac2]

I don't think Florida State drops a game. At this point I think the list of things we "need" in order to get back into the NCG picture is something like:

1) Win out (duh).
2) Missouri drops a game (likely), better off with 2.
3) LSU beats Alabama, and/or the 2-loss winner of the SEC east somehow beats Alabama in the SECCG.
4) OSU drops a game (though we likely leap them anyway since the B1G is awful).

It's not all that unlikely, but since we need either Alabama or FSU to slip up somewhere (and if it's Alabama we likely need them to slip up twice) I'm just not all that optimistic.

But, hey, our path the Rose Bowl is pretty clear, even if we lose to Oregon we can still end up there pretty easily. That's not bad!

[stupac2]

I don't think Florida State drops a game. At this point I think the list of things we "need" in order to get back into the NCG picture is something like:

1) Win out (duh).
2) Missouri drops a game (likely), better off with 2.
3) LSU beats Alabama, and/or the 2-loss winner of the SEC east somehow beats Alabama in the SECCG.
4) OSU drops a game (though we likely leap them anyway since the B1G is awful).

It's not all that unlikely, but since we need either Alabama or FSU to slip up somewhere (and if it's Alabama we likely need them to slip up twice) I'm just not all that optimistic.

But, hey, our path the Rose Bowl is pretty clear, even if we lose to Oregon we can still end up there pretty easily. That's not bad!

[washingtonismoney]

I don't think Florida State drops a game. At this point I think the list of things we "need" in order to get back into the NCG picture is something like...

Historically, the matchup of two unbeatens in the NCG is less frequent than a matchup featuring at least one loss teams. (6 times the NCG has featured two unbeaten teams; 9 times had at least one team with one loss.) Now, I know what you're saying: this time is different. Well, people always say that. Last year N.D. fans were bracing to throw an epic tantrum were the great unwashed K-State and Oregon to go unbeaten and shut them out of the national championship game. Obviously, that didn't quite happen.

Stanford's in excellent position as the highest-ranked one-loss team, and with a schedule with some marquee games left on the schedule. The trick is simply to win all the remaining games (which I think is more unlikely than not.)

[washingtonismoney]

I don't think Florida State drops a game. At this point I think the list of things we "need" in order to get back into the NCG picture is something like...

Historically, the matchup of two unbeatens in the NCG is less frequent than a matchup featuring at least one loss teams. (6 times the NCG has featured two unbeaten teams; 9 times had at least one team with one loss.) Now, I know what you're saying: this time is different. Well, people always say that. Last year N.D. fans were bracing to throw an epic tantrum were the great unwashed K-State and Oregon to go unbeaten and shut them out of the national championship game. Obviously, that didn't quite happen.

Stanford's in excellent position as the highest-ranked one-loss team, and with a schedule with some marquee games left on the schedule. The trick is simply to win all the remaining games (which I think is more unlikely than not.)

[Cardinal96]

I think the odds of us playing for the title with one loss are higher than the chance of finishing with one loss.  We must beat OSU in pretty much any scenario where we play in a BCS bowl.  I like our chances but it will be hard fought.

[Cardinal96]

I think the odds of us playing for the title with one loss are higher than the chance of finishing with one loss.  We must beat OSU in pretty much any scenario where we play in a BCS bowl.  I like our chances but it will be hard fought.

[Farm93]

This poll thing is a bit silly.  Stanford has big work to do to beat the Beavers.

However, Stanford would be the best one loss team, with one exception.  If Alabama loses to LSU my guess is Alabama would sit above Stanford.  If Alabama falls in the SEC championship game then that would be a touch different.  As it stands, one BCS CG slot will likely go to the SEC before any one loss teams if the SEC has a one loss team or an undefeated team.  Therefore, I actually have no problem with the SEC champ (Bama or Missouri) going undefeated.

The other BCS CG slot, the non-SEC slot, is a bit more interesting.  Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State all would sit above Stanford if they run the table.  Ohio State looks bad enough that I am not sure they will go undefeated even in the weak B1G.  Stanford gets to address Oregon on the field.  That leaves Florida State.  However, Florida State has Miami, Florida and the ACC title game.  One miss step is probably not too much to expect.

My guess is it will be the SEC vs Oregon or the SEC vs a one loss team.

However before slotting Stanford into that game it is important to note that Stanford has Oregon State, Oregon, USC, Notre Dame, a rivalry game and a Pac-12 title game.  If I was not a Stanford fan I would just assume that Stanford will not have one loss at the end of the year.  I am sure that is what tonight's BCS Standings show will assume too.

[Farm93]

This poll thing is a bit silly.  Stanford has big work to do to beat the Beavers.

However, Stanford would be the best one loss team, with one exception.  If Alabama loses to LSU my guess is Alabama would sit above Stanford.  If Alabama falls in the SEC championship game then that would be a touch different.  As it stands, one BCS CG slot will likely go to the SEC before any one loss teams if the SEC has a one loss team or an undefeated team.  Therefore, I actually have no problem with the SEC champ (Bama or Missouri) going undefeated.

The other BCS CG slot, the non-SEC slot, is a bit more interesting.  Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State all would sit above Stanford if they run the table.  Ohio State looks bad enough that I am not sure they will go undefeated even in the weak B1G.  Stanford gets to address Oregon on the field.  That leaves Florida State.  However, Florida State has Miami, Florida and the ACC title game.  One miss step is probably not too much to expect.

My guess is it will be the SEC vs Oregon or the SEC vs a one loss team.

However before slotting Stanford into that game it is important to note that Stanford has Oregon State, Oregon, USC, Notre Dame, a rivalry game and a Pac-12 title game.  If I was not a Stanford fan I would just assume that Stanford will not have one loss at the end of the year.  I am sure that is what tonight's BCS Standings show will assume too.

[washingtonismoney]

Coaches' poll: Stanford at #8.

Miami is so overranked here. Did coaches (SIDs) watch the game Thursday at all? Have they noted that the Hurricanes' marquee win -- Florida -- has lost its luster? Apparently not. Miami will have a loss soon enough but, my that's stupid.

[washingtonismoney]

Coaches' poll: Stanford at #8.

Miami is so overranked here. Did coaches (SIDs) watch the game Thursday at all? Have they noted that the Hurricanes' marquee win -- Florida -- has lost its luster? Apparently not. Miami will have a loss soon enough but, my that's stupid.