THE STANDINGS by ST

I find it interesting how the rankings, be it BCS, AP, or coaches poll lead fans away from the conference standings which are pretty important as the league champs grab 6 major bowl auto-invites. I guess we do follow the Pac 10 pretty closely. In the Big 10, with Iowa's victories over Penn State, Wisconsin and the Michigan schools, it's pretty much down to the Hawkeyes taking out Ohio State at Columbus on November 14th and they are at least in the Rose Bowl. Iowa actually has a path to the BCS championship game. They sit 6th and with tougher competition remaining would likely catapult them past Cincinatti and Boise State according to the computers. Florida and Alabama appear to be on a collision course for the SEC title with the winner getting their championship shot and the loser likely an at large bid to another major bowl. That leaves Texas in their way. The Longhorns have a great defense, but something is lacking on offense. It's their rushing attack. They have a key game a week from Saturday at Stillwater against Oklahoma State. If the Cowboys have Dez Bryant back from his suspension, I give them a punchers chance. They'll also host Kansas who is ranked among the Top 25 and do have a really good quarterback in Todd Reesing. They did just lose to Colorado and have played a garbage schedule to date so maybe not.
While a lot of people are down on the Big 10, the ACC is just pathetic. Right now Virginia is leading the Coastal Division with a 2 & 0 league record, but the Cavs are just 3 & 3 overall. They lost to William & Mary to begin the season. Really! Believe me, the reality check they're in for is going to be painful with Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia Tech remaining. Still, the other division, the Atlantic is downright laughable. Four of the six teams already have 2 conference losses, the other two, NC State and Florida State are 0 & 3. Teams like Oregon, USC, Bama, Florida, Boise State and those still in the national title picture will watch at least 2 inferior opponents celebrate major bowl births while they play in the Holiday, Citrus or some other secondary game. But they don't need a playoff system.