.jpg)
Cardinals fans definitely got their wish last Thursday when TCU's BCS hopes came crashing down in a loss to Utah.Like I said last week, it really was a lose-lose situation for the Cardinals. We still had four non-BCS teams ahead of us and now it's down to four with Utah, Boise State, us and unfortunately, BYU.
Let's break it down.
Here is our dream scenario.
1. Nov. 22 becomes Hail to the Cardinals Day
This is a very big day in the history of Ball State football. Utah and Boise State's best chances to lose fall on this day. Nevada plays Boise State while Utah takes on BYU. What that would is likely put us as the No. 1 non-BCS team (unless BYU got a HUGE bump) and we'd get an automatic berth. I creamed my pants just thinking of this possibility. Nov. 22 feels like a LIVE BLOG! Day.
2. The Big East champ is ranked No. 17 or lower.
I've read many, many different interpretations of the BCS rules, but this is my understanding. If one of the BCS conference champions is ranked No. 17 or lower and a non-BCS team is ranked higher than that, than that non-BCS team gets an at-large berth.
So let's say only one of those teams falls on D-Day. If Cincinnati wins the Big East and only gets to 17, viola, the Cardinals should be in.
3. Many, many teams lose more games.
And by team, we specifically mean Ohio State. I got to be honest, I'm not fully sure how OSU losing helps us although everyone keeps saying that. I presume that would mean they get a third loss and thus, wouldn't be eligible for the BCS. But who knows. Feel free to fill that part in.
But most important, just win out, baby. Let the "cards" fall where they may.
3 comments:
Phil,
Couple things...
1.) Bet your ass I'll be running a liveblog that day. You're welcome to be a producer on it and sound off accordingly.
2.) As long as we're in the Top 16 and ranked higher than a conference champion, and we've won our conference and are the highest ranked non-bcs conference school, we're in. Even if Pitt is ranked 13th and we're 12th, we go automatically.
3.) If we're ranked in the Top 12, and are the highest ranked non bcs conference school, and we've won our league then we're in.
We're going to need to be in the top 12 to get in, anyway, because we'd have to keep winning and would eventually ascend to the top 12. That's a nonissue.
OSU losing would be big because it eliminates everyone besides a non-BCS team that could fill that last at-large slot - and if we jump one, but NOT both, of Boise and Utah, this scenario can come into play:
As it stands now, you've got ten slots. Six are filled by six big-conference champs. Plus, you're going to have an SEC and a Big 12 team getting at-larges - for the sake of argument, Alabama and Oklahoma. Then you will have the auto-qualifying non-BCS team ahead of us, Boise State or Utah.
If OSU loses, there won't be anyone from the Big Ten, ACC, Big East OR Pac-10 that would be eligible for a slot. IF we have jumped one but not both of Boise and Utah, we're the only available team left. The Orange Bowl (most likely, unless someone decides we're more attractive than Boise/Utah) would be FORCED to take us.
Essentially, we need to pass two of Boise, Utah and Ohio State to get a bid because of this.
NOTE 1: OSU is probably not gonna lose. Illinois sucks and Michigan is obviously an abomination. The Buckeyes are far better than anyone in the Big Ten besides MSU and I don't expect them to help us. Our best hopes, like you said, are Nevada and BYU.
NOTE 2: Even if everything else falls into place, it would all be ruined if Oregon State wins out. The Beavers would win the Pac-10 if they win out, get a Rose Bowl bid and send USC somewhere else, screwing us. I'm discounting that because they still have vs Cal, @Arizona and vs Oregon on their slate.
(sorry for the length but hopefully this clears it up)
NOTE 3: I'm an idiot, and meant PSU and not MSU as to who the Buckeyes are second to in the Big Eleven.
Post a Comment