11-05-2010, 11:51 AM
Based on my reading of the insanely arcane BCS rules, I think George is right about the mechanics: if Stanford is ranked in the top 4 of the BCS, it will qualify for a BCS bowl.
The qualification rules are here:
http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/bcs_explained.html
The way I read the rules is that the Pac-10, Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC and ACC champs, Boise State and the winner of the Utah-TCU game would be the first eight qualifiers. Then if teams outside of those eight occupied the #3 and #4 slots in the final BCS standings, they would automatically get the last two spots. Chime in if you think I\'m misinterpreting the rules.
All of that said, I\'m not at all convinced that an 11-1 Stanford will be in the top four. I hope so, but it\'s easy to see a scenario where the top four are: #1) undefeated Oregon; #2) one-loss Alabama; #3 undefeated Boise State; #4 one-loss Auburn (or one-loss Nebraska or undefeated TCU or one-loss Wisconsin). I actually think that a lot would have to break Stanford\'s way to finish in the top 4.
The qualification rules are here:
http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/bcs_explained.html
The way I read the rules is that the Pac-10, Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC and ACC champs, Boise State and the winner of the Utah-TCU game would be the first eight qualifiers. Then if teams outside of those eight occupied the #3 and #4 slots in the final BCS standings, they would automatically get the last two spots. Chime in if you think I\'m misinterpreting the rules.
All of that said, I\'m not at all convinced that an 11-1 Stanford will be in the top four. I hope so, but it\'s easy to see a scenario where the top four are: #1) undefeated Oregon; #2) one-loss Alabama; #3 undefeated Boise State; #4 one-loss Auburn (or one-loss Nebraska or undefeated TCU or one-loss Wisconsin). I actually think that a lot would have to break Stanford\'s way to finish in the top 4.