Exam Time...Or Bowl Time?

Many critics of the BCS feel that the only true solution would be a playoff system (wouldn't it be nice if we could fill out brackets in December too?). University presidents are strongly opposed to this idea. They feel that adding too many games onto the season increases the risk of injury. However, they fail to bring up another important point- would the players have time to play more games?

For me, the decision between studying for exams or getting ready for college bowl games is simple. As South Park character Towlie so eloquently once put it, "I choose... both." This is a small feat for me because my exams finish up before the Toilet Bowls begin around Christmas. However, for student athletes, this can be very difficult.

Each Bowl game assures the schools involved some national spotlight, which is vital for recruiting and funding. Coaches work harder than ever preparing for the postseason games, and so do players. Unfortunately, practice schedules run right into exam schedules, and many schools in bowl games are already failing to meet academic standards, writes the AP.

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Bowls are set: SC to meet Texas

After one of the most exciting and unpredictable regular seasons in a long time, we're left right back where we started, with USC ranked #1 and Texas #2. Last weekend, both teams absolutely destroyed their opponents- for their respective titles. USC beat 11th ranked UCLA 66-19, and Texas walked over Big 12 North Champion Colorado by a score of 70-3. Although in years past the system has gotten it wrong, this year is no doubt- these two teams are the best in the country.







USC's Reggie Bush

The Rose Bowl Game will be January 4, and has already become one of the most hyped up games in college sports history.

Click for full list of bowl games.

Another Week, no suprises

As the most recent rankings below show, not a whole lot has changed in the college football scene- at least as far as the numbers are concerned. Unless Texas or USC lose, they will eventually meet in Pasadena for the National Championship.
Current debates focus on the other six teams that will receive BCS bids- in particular, Notre Dame. The winner from each major conference gets an automatic bid, but ND is not in a conference. Many analysts predict that even with 2 losses they will get a bid over Oregon, who has only one loss (they both lost to USC).
BCS Standings as of 11.28

And then there were two

One of the most heated rivalries in college sports took center stage last weekend (note: one of the most, not The Most) and had an effect felt throughout the country (or at least in Texas and California). After LSU's upset of previously unbeaten Alabama, only the Longhorns and the familiar men of Troy are undefeated- and seeminly on course for the Rose Bowl National Championship Game.
Although Alabama was undefeated coming into the game, few critics considered them in the same league as Texas and USC, citing their lack of offensive firepower. This weakness came into full view against the LSU Tigers, who held the Crimson Tide to 13 points. LSU on the other hand, is one of the hottest teams in the country- although their BCS hopes hinge on winning a conference championship. Their lone loss came at the hands of Tenessee, who might be having their worst season ever this year, so don't expect to see the 2003 co-national champions back in it again.

AP update of BCS Standings

Upset Special

Two more unbeatens fell on saturday night, both by blowout losses. Marcus Vick and Virginia Tech lost 27-7 at home to Miami, and UCLA lost by over 40 points to lowly Arizona. This sufficiently removes these two teams from the Rose Bowl hunt. Current standings leave USC and Texas as #1 and 2 respectively, with Alabama moving up into third closely followed by Miami, who leads the one-loss programs.
UCLA may still impact the Bowl Championship Series, however. "The Battle for Los Angeles," a name given to the game between the Bruins and their inner-city rival USC Trojans (and also a great album by Rage Against the Machine) will take place in December, as both teams finish their regular seasons. Many people consider this meeting the only real test left for the Trojans, who haven't lost since October 2003.
Click for full standings.

USC jumps back over Texas

After Texas struggled against Oklahoma State, the computers put USC back above Texas, even though both teams were undefeated and Texas held the top spot next week. Neither team plays a particularly grueling schedule. The hardest team left for SC to play will probably be UCLA, who has a very weak defense. The Longhorn's near future includes in state rivals Texas Tech and Texas A & M, but neither of them have great teams this year.

Personally, I expect both teams to win out because they are two of the most talented college football teams ever. The three top Heisman Trophy candidates are on these teams (Returning winner Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush- USC; Vince Young- Texas) and they have strong supporting casts built around that.


ESPN Article about latest BCS Standings.