The Contenders

• That was some kind of game between Texas and Texas Tech.  Where Texas lands in the rankings will determine if they have a shot at Miami.  As long as they are in the top seven  and Tech goes down to either OU or OSU, it could work out.  Meanwhile, Tech still has Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Baylor and if they don't stumble, should go to Miami undefeated.  We're sure our favorite 41 year-old man and Bob Stoops will have plenty to say about it. 
  
• Alabama did what it was supposed to do, clubbing Arkansas State.  Their big game is against LSU next weekend in Death Valley.  This is where a lot of people think Nick Saban and the Tide meet their Waterloo.  However, LSU is down this year, so Bama has a chance.  The biggest roadblock for Alabama could be Florida in the SEC championship game.  No, I'll restate that.  WILL be Florida in the SEC Championship game. 
  
• JoPa is probably pleased that his team has done nothing to move up and they will probably move up to number two.  The only thing standing between Penn State and Miami is Michigan State or a bad BCS score.  They should be able to taste the oranges right about now.
• Too bad Oklahoma couldn't beat Texas.  They certainly are making a statement that they are a worthy team. But they will have a crack at Texas Tech on November 22.  Mark your calendar for that one.  But even with a win over Tech, OU needs a lot of help to get to Miami. Like one more Texas loss before the Big 12 Championship game which is unlikely to happen.
  
• USC absolutely manhandled Washington (who hasn't) yesterday.  Sure, they probably will get leap frogged by Texas Tech in the BCS standings but the way Pete Carroll's team has been playing lately and given his remaining schedule is Cal, Stanford, Notre Dane and UCLA, if they run the table they have an excellent chance of getting in.
• Florida dominated Georgia yesterday and may move up to around fifth in the BCS standings.  Again, with the tough part of their schedule over, their big moment may come in the SEC Championship game which they are clearly favored to win right now.  If you figure, odds are Bama and Tech won't be undefeated at season's end, then Florida and Penn State is a great possibility.  At very least, the Gators should be favored to go to the Sugar Bowl. 
  
• Oklahoma State is still out there but needs a lot of help to get where they need to go.  Pretty much everyone in front of them needs to lose once and they need to run the table.  The odds are highly unlikely in their favor.

So Long and Thanks for Playing

• Say goodbye to Tulsa and remember kids: The worst SEC team can still kill the best C-USA team.  It's the difference between a professional league and a industrial league.
• Say goodbye to Georgia.  Maybe they'll get to the Peach Bowl.  I'd accept now if I were you, Mark Richt.
• Say goodbye to Phillip Fulmer and Tommy Tuberville, two good coaches who have had their teams quit on them this year.  It's getting ugly at UT and on the Plains.
• Here's the big question: If Texas Tech, Alabama and Penn State all lose, will the BCS Championship game be played with two one loss teams (i.e. Florida vs. USC) or will one of the no loss teams from the smaller conferences get a shot (i.e. TCU, Boise State or Utah.)  Yeah, that's what I thought too. 
  
• Top ten this week: Alabama, Penn State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Florida, USC, Oklahoma State, Texas, Ohio State, TCU.

Housekeeping

• Since Tech beat Texas, should each have one loss, Tech would go to the Big 12 Championship game by virtue of that win.  In fact, it might be a good idea to familiarize yourself with Big 12 tiebreaker procedures.