No Surprises Atop First BCS Poll

NFL News - October 19th, 2009 - Written by John

The two SEC teams who have been atop the AP and USA Today coaches' polls all year are once again separated by a slim margin at the tops two spots of the first BCS standings. Florida and Alabama are ranked first and second, respectively and whichever team wins out has the inside track to the National Title.

The Florida Gators lost their opportunity to become the second team ever to become wire-to-wire National Champions after (Florida State, 1999) after Alabama Crimson Tide jumped into the top spot in the AP this week. However, that poll is not part of the BCS formula, allowing the Gators to hold on to the no. 1 national ranking.

Whichever way it's arranged, the top three spots are occupied by familiar faces, Florida, Alabama and Texas. The Longhorns have the best shot at making the National Championship given they don't stumble at any point. The Tide and Gators will likely meet in the SEC Championship, meaning whoever is in 3rd will slip into the second spot after that game. The Longhorns made it over their biggest hurdle, narrowly escaping the Oklahoma Sooners, 16-13, in the Red River Shootout. Florida had a similar scare, but against a far inferior opponent. They needed two late penalties to aid a touchdown drive, then kicked a game-winning field goal to beat Arkansas, 23-20.

Alabama was the only team to win by double-digits in a less-than-convincing win over South Carolina. Odds don't favor teams ranked highly in the first BCS standings. Only 10 of the 22 teams ranked first and second in the priliminary rankings have gone on to appear in the National Championship.

If two of those three teams should fall, the pecking order so far sets up a chance for either Boise State or Cincinnati to reach the title game. With all the bashing from several media outlets, dubbing the two teams "Boisinnati" because they carry the same prestige and are at the same odds with voters.

But the computers have ranked them at no. 4 and 5 and provide a very real chance of making the first BCS Championship game for the first time in either of the school's history. Cincinnati probably has the best shot of the two, though, because of their strength of schedule. Boise State doesn't have another ranked team on their schedule, while the Bearcats have the possibilty of at least two.

Experts say despite their current high ranking, Boise State would need a miracle to make the Championship. Including Cincinnati, four other teams would likely jump them if they were to win out. Iowa is at no. 6 and is the favorite to win the Big Ten. Southern Cal is at no. 7 and still has only one loss. They beat Notre Dame on the road and still have big games against Oregon and Cal to boost their resume.

Another mid-major sits at no. 8. TCU is undefeated in a tough Mountain West Conference and some say even they have a better chance than Boise State were they to remain undefeated.

After that it's LSU at no. 9 and Miami (FL) is at 10. The next 10 starts with Oregon, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State.

The one big surprise in the bottom of the poll is the appearance of Arizona at no. 22. The Wildcats don't appear in either the AP or Coaches' poll, and are way down the list among others receiving votes. Yet they have done enough to convince the computers that they deserve a spot in the first poll and have a chance to increase their resume with games against Oregon, Cal and USC up ahead.

Keep your lookout for some great NCAA Football Matchups and place your wagers on your favorite NCAA Football teams, using one of the many USA Online Sportsbooks.

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