Clint (Austin, TX)

If Texas runs the table, but loses in the conference championship in a re-match with Mizzou, is it still possible to get to the National Championship (like OU in 2003-2004?)

Brad Edwards

  (12:11 PM)

If you look back at OU in 2003 and Nebraska in 2001, the polls didn't have either team ranked in the top 2, but the computers bumped them into the BCS title game. Since that time, the formula has put more weight on the polls, so it really comes down to whether Texas could lose on that final day and not drop out of the top two of the polls. If there's absolute chaos in other conferences, it's not impossible, but I doubt the Horns could survive that loss.

Gainesville Florida

If Florida wins out and then beats Alabama in SEC Championship do you like there chances to go to National Championship game?

Brad Edwards

  (12:12 PM)

Unless there are two major undefeated teams (Penn State and Texas or Texas Tech), I think Florida will have a great chance to reach the BCS Championship at 12-1.

Mike (Athens,GA)

If UGA wins out with one loss and becomes the SEC Champ, will they have also won themselves a trip to Miami?

Brad Edwards

  (12:13 PM)

See last answer. Same thing applies to Georgia.

Eric from Clanton, AL

If Texas, Bama, and Penn State win out, is there a Joe Paterno factor that could get Bama left out?

Brad Edwards

  (12:19 PM)

I don't want to promote any conspiracy theories, because there's no indication that anything could be in the works, but this is worth considering. If the top three teams all win out, it may be significant that the AP poll is no longer part of the BCS formula. The coaches' poll is obviously comprised of current coaches, while the Harris poll has many former coaches and athletic directors on its panel of voters. It's no secret that Paterno is immensely popular and is near the end of his career, and the coaches did switch Nebraska to No. 1 at the end of Tom Osborne's final season (1997). And it also doesn't seem that Nick Saban is very popular in the coaching circles -- at least among the guys who don't know him, which is probably the majority of the group. Just something to think about!

Dan, Oregon

Hi Brad, Can both Utah and Boise State get into a BCS game? Would they play each other?

Brad Edwards

  (12:23 PM)

In order for both to get in, the team that finished lower in the standings would need to be chosen as an at-large pick by one of the bowls. The explanation for how that could happen would be quite lengthy, but here's the key. If Ohio State loses again (maybe at Illinois), there's a chance the ACC, Big East, Big Ten and Pac-10 could all be without a team that meets at-large eligibility requirements, which would open the door for a second non-BCS team to get picked -- perhaps by default.

Brad Edwards

  (12:26 PM)

As for whether they would play each other, I doubt it. What makes those teams attractive is the chance to create a David vs Goliath type matchup. If they play each other, I just don't think it's that intriguing of a bowl game. People want to see whether these teams can play with the big boys. They don't want to see them play against each other. That's about like watching a 12-seed against a 13-seed in the 2nd round of the basketball tournament.

Ryan (Happy Valley)

Hi Brad, Say Texas Tech beats Texas and goes undefeated, Alabama and Penn State each run the table, does Tech leap PSU in the BCS because of SOS? I mean, they would have beaten Okla, Okla St, Texas and probably Mizzou in the Big 12 Title game? King of making me nervous ...

Brad Edwards

  (12:30 PM)

I'm not sure that Texas Tech automatically jumps into the top 2 by beating Texas this week. I think there would still be enough skeptics who would want to see them win the next few games you mentioned before moving them higher. But I definitely believe they would ultimately end up ahead of Penn State if they run the table.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Edwards: The Big Ten is seen as a weaker conference than the Big 12 or SEC. From what I've seen, they don't play much defense in the Big 12 and the SEC resembles the Big Ten quite a bit. Is it the difference between the top 2-3 teams in each conference that provides the perceived inequities here?

Brad Edwards

  (12:36 PM)

Look at the matchups and ask yourself which is the weakest team in each group. I'm going by the BCS Standings. No. 1 teams (Texas, Alabama, Penn State) ... No. 2 teams (Oklahoma, Georgia, Ohio State) ... No. 3 teams (Texas Tech, Florida, Minnesota) ... No. 4 teams (Oklahoma State, LSU, Michigan State). I think you see where this is going. When Michigan and Wisconsin are down, the Big Ten just isn't that strong.

Preston, Georgia

If Penn State is in the National Championship, What are the chances the Rose Bowl finally does the right thing and puts a 1 loss Sec or Big 12 team say Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma in there game? Or will we have to sit through another USC beat down of say Ohio State. And also, why is this allowed to go on?

Brad Edwards

  (12:41 PM)

I really believe the Rose Bowl is open to taking a highly-ranked outsider if it loses the Big Ten champ and doesn't have a reputable replacement. Two things you should know. (1) The Rose Bowl didn't have the option of taking Georgia last year, because the Sugar Bowl would've had to release the Bulldogs. With Hawaii the inevitable opponent, no way was the Sugar going to do that. (2) If Ohio State doesn't lose again, the Buckeyes will be eligible to be selected by the Rose (if Penn State is playing for the BCS championship), and there is no way the Rose passes on OSU, which hasn't played in that game in more than 10 years. If it's shaping up as USC vs Ohio State, there might be reason to reconsider because of the lopsided game earlier this season, but that's a discussion for another week.

Rob (Baltimore)

Did this weekend's voting put an end to the notion that a 1 loss team could leapfrog an undefeated Penn State into the title game?

Brad Edwards

  (12:44 PM)

I've had a few recent discussions about whether a 1-loss SEC or Big 12 champ would leap over an undefeated Penn State team, and there are some people who think it's possible. I'm not one of them. I think Penn State will stay ahead of all the 1-loss teams as long as it'is undefeated.

Ray (Chicago, IL)

If Oklahoma State only lost to the number 1 team by 4 how is it they dropped to number 9 in the Rankings when Oklahoma Lost to Texas by 10 and fell to only number 4?

Brad Edwards

  (12:45 PM)

Oklahoma State's best win (at Missouri) is also better than any win Oklahoma has. No question OSU should be ranked higher, but it doesn't really matter since they'll decide it on the field in a few weeks.

Phillip, Oregon

If USC get's to the national championship game will the second place team from the pac-10 recieve a bid to play in the rose bowl?

Brad Edwards

  (12:47 PM)

There would have to be another Pac-10 team ranked in the top 14 of the final BCS Standings. That's the eligibility requirement. If Oregon doesn't win out, there might not be a second Pac-10 team eligible.

Kyle (minneapolis)

I can't believe I'm actually writing this, but could my Golden Gophers actually have a shot at a BCS bid assuming they can go at least 3-1 (if not 4-0) down the stretch? With three of four at home, it seems possible.

Brad Edwards

  (12:50 PM)

People outside of Big Ten country don't even know that Minnesota is 7-1 (and don't care, to be quite honest), but you have reason to be optimistic. If the Gophers run the table (toughest game probably at Wisconsin), and Ohio State loses again, Minnesota could be Rose Bowl-bound if Penn State ends up playing for the BCS title. Sure was convenient to miss the Nittany Lions on this year's schedule!

tad (chicago)

can notre dame get into a bcs bowl if it runs the table?

Brad Edwards

  (12:53 PM)

In other words, you're saying they finish 10-2 with a win at USC. Notre Dame would easily be in the top 14 if this happens and would go to a BCS game. That's not even an issue.

Nick (SLC)

How high do you think Utah can get in a bowl if they win out and beat No. 13 TCU and No. 19 or so BYU? Maybe up to 6 or 7?

Brad Edwards

  (12:54 PM)

That sounds about right. It would probably be enough to keep them ahead of Boise State, which is all that matters from a BCS standpoint.

Doc (TN)

So, it's possible that Oregon could play Minnesota in the Rose Bowl? Should I root for this as an argument for playoffs?

Brad Edwards

  (12:56 PM)

That matchup would hurt the Rose Bowl, not the BCS. Penn State vs USC is a pretty nice sounding national championship game, if you ask me.

J.B. (Dunmore, PA)

Mr. Edwards: Can you ever see the Big Ten and PAC-10 adding enough teams to have a conference championship game? It would definitely generate big revenues and might help settle some of the BCS pairing issues.

Brad Edwards

  (12:57 PM)

I think there's a below-average chance the Big Ten will do it in the near future. I can't see the Pac-10 ever adding two more teams.

Danny (AL)

What do you think Alabama's chances of playing the that national championship game are?

Brad Edwards

  (1:00 PM)

What do you think the chances are of Alabama finishing undefeated? That's what it will take. Bama can only survive a loss if Penn State also loses a game.

Will J (Portland, OR)

Brad, even if every BCS conference ended up with a title game, why would the Pac-10 have to, they're the only league that actually plays every other team. I realize there is a lot to lose in title games.

Brad Edwards

  (1:03 PM)

The Pac-10 and Big East are the only BCS conferences that have no need for a title game, because everyone plays everyone in the regular season. You won't catch me suggesting the Pac-10 should change that.

Otto (CA)

Do you got Tulsa and Ball State with a chance?

Brad Edwards

  (1:04 PM)

I think those teams only have a chance if Utah and Boise State both lose. I think the same thing applies to TCU, although the Frogs can take care of Utah and just need someone else to beat Boise.

Brad Edwards

  (1:05 PM)

Thanks everyone! Same time next week