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Joined: Dec 1969
Depends on how they lost, and why they lost.
Remember, Oregon had some pretty uneven performances on the road early. So if they look weak at C.a.l and lose to OSU, then some may conclude some things about Oregon\'s abilities away from Eugene.
There are ample examples in the BCS\' young history of teams going into the BCS game that lost to others almost as worthy. And FWIW, LSU in 2010 clearly would fall into that camp. LSU\'s path is pretty clear actually. They could get in even if Auburn is the SEC champ. And this is that LSU team that was darn lucky to beat a terrible Tennessee squad.
The BCS now even describes that 3 conference teams can get into BCS games. The scenario? The conference champ gets the automatic invite while that same conference has two at-large teams at #1 & #2 in the final BCS standings. Most likely to occur in the Big12 or SEC, but it is still outlined. So 11-1 Stanford going ahead of Oregon, or against Oregon are clear possibilities that BCS organizers have anticipated.
Transitive properties, and logic can be tossed. Stanford lost on the road at Oregon, a good loss. Oregon would have a loss at OSU, ordinarily an OK loss. However, OSU is a team that lost to Boise State and TCU, so in 2010 that would be a very, very bad loss.
Losing early has always been better than losing late.
And if Oregon loses because LMJ gets injured or something, then they may fall below Stanford because pollsters could say Stanford is better here in December than that newly weakened Oregon team.
Nothing in the Stanford path to the BCS championship game is highly likely, but it is possible. Many computers have Stanford as the highest 1 loss team that puts Stanford into the conversation. Â And since that is likely all that will happen, why not embrace the idea for a while. That lottery ticket is probably worthless, but why not embrace the dream and the possibilities while it lasts?