Here's Hoping They All Stay Undefeated:
Six of the 117 NCAA Division 1 teams have yet to lose this season. Oklahoma and Auburn have the toughest road with the Big 12 and SEC Championships on the horizon respectively. USC and Wisconsin each have a big test ahead with Notre Dame coming to California in two weeks and Wisconsin going to Iowa the same day. Mid-Major Utah (from the Mountain West) faces it's leagues two best teams, Wyoming and BYU, while Bosie St. (from the WAC) has an easier road with San Jose St., Nevada, and La. Tech.
It is conceivable that every single team remains undefeated. If that happens, every college fan who ever thought about a playoff system will be within hearing distance of all BCS officials. Every level of college football has a playoff system except for the NCAA Division 1.
Teams from BCS conferences make $14 million for going to a BCS Bowl game. The money for most other bowl games is around $1 million. Mid Major Conferences, like the two that include Utah and Boise St, have been begging for a chance at the big pot. With weaker conference schedules, Mid majors are almost always assured of finishing much lower in the AP and Coaches polls.
Another idea that could ease the pressure of flatlining the current system is to give a fifth bowl game the right to take the two best teams each year from non BCS conferences. Maybe the bowl game wouldn't be for $14 million each. However, if it was played in January and it earned both schools between $7 and $10 million most Mid-major conferences could compromise to that.
One intriguing outcome for both Mid-major conferences if they do miss out on a BCS game is the possible matchups their best team could have. Utah would most likely play in the Liberty Bowl on New Year's Eve. Their opponent right now would most likely be the C-USA's best team, which is Louisville. The Cardinals only loss this season was against the University of Miami and they have been dominating teams ever since. The possible shootout in Memphis could be better than some of the BCS games.
And speaking of Miami, Bosie St. will in all likelihood play in the MPC Computers Bowl in their own backyard in Idaho. The game is scheduled to be against an ACC team. With both Virginia and Virginia Tech ahead in the standings, ACC powerhouse Florida St. or the Hurricanes could fall into the Broncos lap. Neither matchup would make up for losing out on $14 million to help the program, but both teams could end the season with some well deserved national respect.