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A lot of people seem to think half of the championship equation in college football will be revealed when Alabama hosts LSU this weekend. The other half? Well, when you have variables that include Wyoming, Notre Dame and Texas Tech, it's not the easiest thing to decode. The latter three teams are among those remaining on the schedules of Boise State, Stanford and Oklahoma State, respectively. Rank 'Em: What does your Top 25 look like?

• "To anyone complaining about Stanford jumping Boise State, a 3OT win over USC is better than any win on Boise's schedule, except for maybe Georgia (and even that is questionable). When Boise joins the big boys and plays a full comparable schedule, then we'll talk." -- SN commenter jeffabanton
• "If both of them go undefeated, I'd rather see Houston in a BCS bowl rather than Boise. Keenum is far more exciting to watch than Moore." -- SN commenter BlackfangLeopard

If all teams win out, which should play the winner of LSU-Alabama in the national championship game?

•  
  15%
  Boise State
•  
  45%
  Oklahoma State
•  
  27%
  Stanford
•  
  13%
  Loser of LSU-Alabama

(Total votes: 64,326)

Which one-loss team has the most viable road to the championship game?

•  
  7%
  Arkansas
•  
  7%
  Nebraska
•  
  48%
  Oklahoma
•  
  32%
  Oregon
•  
  6%
  Other

(Total votes: 19,758)

When is Boise State likely to suffer its first loss?

•  
  1%
  vs. UNLV (Nov. 5)
•  
  39%
  vs. TCU (Nov. 12)
•  
  5%
  at San Diego State (Nov. 19)
•  
  2%
  vs. Wyoming or New Mexico (Nov. 26/Dec. 3)
•  
  54%
  Wonýt lose

(Total votes: 31,325)

When is Oklahoma State likely to suffer its first loss?

•  
  6%
  vs. Kansas State (Nov. 5)
•  
  7%
  at Texas Tech (Nov. 12)
•  
  1%
  at Iowa State (Nov. 18)
•  
  73%
  vs. Oklahoma (Dec. 3)
•  
  13%
  Won't lose

(Total votes: 19,674)

When is Stanford likely to suffer its first loss?

•  
  2%
  at Oregon State (Nov. 5)
•  
  68%
  vs. Oregon (Nov. 12)
•  
  1%
  vs. Cal (Nov. 19)
•  
  5%
  vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 26)
•  
  23%
  Won't lose before Pac-12 title game

(Total votes: 19,764)

Vote: No. 2 Auburn at No. 11 Alabama
1. Mark Ingram or Cam Newton for NFL?
2. Does Heisman hinge on result?
3. Is Auburn untested on the road?
4. Cam Newton or Bo Jackson?
5. Which team will win in Tuscaloosa?
Have your say on Auburn at Alabama

Vote: No. 4 Boise State at No. 19 Nevada
1. Kellen Moore or Colin Kaepernick?
2. Would this be Boise's best win?
3. Is Boise's defense underrated?
4. Rooting for or against Broncos?
5. Which team will win in Reno?
Have your say on Boise State at Nevada

Vote: No. 21 Arizona at No. 1 Oregon
1. Darron Thomas or Nick Foles?
2. Toughest hurdle for Oregon?
3. Bye week crucial for Arizona?
4. Lesson learned from Cal win?
5. Which team will win in Eugene?
Have your say on Arizona at Oregon

Vote: Michigan at No. 8 Ohio State
1. Must-win for Rich Rodriguez at Michigan?
2. Denard Robinson or Terrelle Pryor?
3. Has Ohio State's domination hurt rivalry?
4. Which program has richer history?
5. Which team will win in Columbus?
Have your say on Michigan at Ohio State

Vote: No. 13 Oklahoma at No. 9 Oklahoma State
1. Landry Jones or Brandon Weeden?
2. Which receiver has brighter NFL future?
3. How good is the Bedlam rivalry?
4. Barry Sanders or Adrian Peterson?
5. Which team will win in Stillwater?
Have your say on Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

Vote: No. 5 LSU at No. 12 Arkansas
1. Ryan Mallett or Patrick Peterson for NFL?
2. Has Jordan Jefferson hit his stride?
3. Would you hire Les Miles or Bobby Petrino?
4. Can LSU still win the national title?
5. Which team will win in Fayetteville?
Have your say on LSU at Arkansas

Vote: No. 18 Texas A&M at Texas
1. Who has keyed the Texas A&M turnaround?
2. How much longer will Mack Brown coach?
3. Is Garrett Gilbert the answer in Austin?
4. Is no bowl just as good as a bad bowl?
5. Which team will win in Austin?
Have your say on Texas A&M at Texas

Vote: Florida at No. 22 Florida State
1. Which team will be better in 2011?
2. Was Florida overrated or is it underachieving?
3. Is Jimbo Fisher the right guy for Florida State?
4. Would Florida win the ACC?
5. Which team will win in Tallahassee?
Have your say on Florida at Florida State

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 3 TCU at No. 5 Utah

• Is TCU's defense really that much better than Utah's defense?

• Will Boise State be better off in the MWC than Utah in the Pac-10?

• Vote on those and other questions about TCU at Utah!

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

Utah seems to be coming in under the radar.. do you give them any chance this weekend? Do they hop Boise with a W?

Pat Forde

Jake: I give Utah a chance, playing at home. But I haven't seen any weaknesses yet in TCU. Frogs have handled all comers with ease. I believe TCU will win -- but if Utah does win I still question whether it would be enough to jump Boise. I don't know. Not a computer expert. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 6 Alabama at No. 10 LSU

• Is playing LSU on the road tougher than playing Auburn at home?

• Which team would win if they swapped coaches?

• Vote on those and other questions about Alabama at LSU!

Mike (Dallas, TX)

What do you expect in the matchup between Patrick Peterson and Julio Jones? If my memory serves, Julio didn't have any catches on Peterson last year. Will scouts be watching this one closely?

Mel Kiper

It was a different mindset of Alabama last year. They were a brutally tough defense to move the ball on. They didn't have to score a lot of points. Their defense last year was talent laden, with some studs who are playing in the NFL right now. Last year, they didn't give up over 24 points in any game last year. They held 10 opponents to 15 points or less last year. They've held six opponents this year to 13 points or less. Nick Saban is a defensive guru. He's probably one of the best defensive strategists at any level. He's tried to reload that defensive side. They have to attack a little more. Jones is coming off that career game. Peterson is a shut down corner as well as a great return man. Alabama will attack a lot more, because their defense isn't what it was from a personnel standpoint. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 18 Arkansas at No. 19 South Carolina

• Which coach was a bigger flop in the NFL?

• Which quarterback would you rather have against Alabama?

• Vote on those and other questions about Arkansas at South Carolina!

Dave (Virginia)

Pat, love the column and your chats...People keep looking at the South Carolina-Florida clash on Nov 13 in the Swamp as the decider. My question to you is, doesn't Arkansas look like Carolina's worst nightmare right now with the way the Gamecocks have defended the pass lately?

Pat Forde

Dave: Thank you. By my read of the situation, South Carolina can lose to Arkansas and still control its own destiny. At 4-3, if the Gamecocks beat Florida they win the East. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 21 Baylor at No. 17 Oklahoma State

• How many points will it take to win this game?

• Is Robert Griffin III more exciting than Justin Blackmon?

• Vote on those and other questions about Baylor at Oklahoma State!

James (Stillwater)

Do you see Robert Griffin III having a big day passing like Taylor Martinez did against the OSU secondary?

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

I do, but Oklahoma State's going to put big points up, too. I didn't really get why everyone thought K-State and Oklahoma State were going to play a high-scoring game. I think I picked it like 34-17 OSU. This week could get out of hand, though. Make sure that scoreboard has room for triple digits. Full transcript

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | Unbeaten hurdles

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 6 LSU at No. 4 Auburn

• Is Les Miles crazy like a fox or just crazy?

• Will Cam Newton have a better NFL career than Tim Tebow?

• Vote on those and other questions about LSU at Auburn!

Tickle (DC)

When Auburn or LSU wins this weekend, who will they jump in the polls, and since they're #2 and #3 in the computer, will the winner move up to #1?

Ivan Maisel

I'm not smart enough to know what that will do to the computers. A lot of you have asked who I think will win. I've thought LSU all week, and now I'm beginning to change my mind. It will come down to the LSU defense being able to clamp down Auburn in a way that no one else has. I think LSU is capable. But the home field....and how does anyone predict what LSU is going to do? Seriously. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 11 Missouri

• Is Blaine Gabbert a better quarterback than Landry Jones?

• Is this a tougher road test for Oklahoma than at Oklahoma State?

• Vote on those and other questions about Oklahoma at Missouri!

Michael (Hermosa Beach)

Does Mizzou have much of a hostile stadium? Landry Jones lost a bunch of road games last year....

Pat Forde

Michael: I'd say the Faurot Field intangible fluctuates with the success of the team. Given Mizzou's undefeated record and the stakes Saturday, and that it's a night game, I expect it to be pretty loud. But Oklahoma is probably used to pretty loud. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 16 Nebraska at No. 14 Oklahoma State

• Did Bo Pelini make a mistake benching Taylor Martinez last week?

• Which team has more to prove in this game?

• Vote on those and other questions about Nebraska at Oklahoma State!

Anthony (Mizzou)

Ubben, how painful was it for you to watch your boy T-Magic go down in flames last weekend? You're obviously trying to cope by keeping your favorite team at #2 in your power rankings. It seems to ridiculous to keep them above undefeated OK St and Mizzou, but knock yourself out.

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

So one week they're a national championship contender, and after a mistake-filled game that finished in a seven-point loss to a team with enough talent to start the season in a top 5, they're relegated to the middle of the Big 12? No way. If Oklahoma State or Mizzou win this weekend, they'll leapfrog the Huskers, but the people sliding the Huskers to fifth place in the league by default after the loss are nuts. Like I said on Monday, Nebraska is favored on the road by a touchdown against Oklahoma State. How many other teams in the country would that apply to? Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 13 Wisconsin at No. 15 Iowa

• Is John Clay more valuable than Ricky Stanzi?

• Is the winner still in the national title picture?

• Vote on those and other questions about Wisconsin at Iowa!

Dave (Milwaukee, WI)

Adam, will my Badgers need to win out to have any hope of a BCS with the top of the Big Ten looking a little crowded? How concerned should we be if another team wins the conference, and we're sitting there with 1-2 losses and Ohio State/MSU/Iowa all have similar records for an at-large bid? I saw your last projection had us in the Outback Bowl, Badger fans are getting a little tired of going to a bowl game in Florida not named "Orange."

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Dave, winning out would be the best path for Wisconsin, obviously. Wisconsin also should root for Michigan State to either lose twice or win out. If the Spartans lose twice, Wisconsin could get a BCS berth ahead of MSU, despite the head-to-head loss. If MSU wins out and Wisconsin wins out, it hands Iowa two losses and puts a 1-loss Badgers team ahead of the Hawkeyes. Wisconsin obviously has the head-to-head win against Ohio State, but another Buckeyes loss wouldn't hurt, either. Full transcript

• Rank 'Em: What does your Heisman ballot look like after seven weeks?
• Vote: Is Denard Robinson in the Heisman race? | Your Big 12 Power Rankings?
• Chat: Ask Big 12 blogger David Ubben about the best player in Oklahoma, 3 ET

The BCS standings say Oklahoma is the best team in the land, but do the Sooners not even have the best Heisman candidate in their own state?

Oklahoma State sophomore Justin Blackmon (from Bob Stoops' backyard in Ardmore, Okla.) caught 10 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown against Texas Tech last weekend -- and it might not have been his best game this season. Blackmon has totaled at least 120 receiving yards in all six games he's played this season and has 12 touchdowns among 57 receptions.

On pace for nearly 2,000 yards and more than 20 touchdowns, he's working on the receiving equivalent of what Barry Sanders did on the ground for the Cowboys all those years ago. But is he the best player in the state?

• "Why hasn't anyone mentioned Justin Blackmon at Oklahoma State yet? I mean he only has 57 rec., 955 yards and 12 receiving TD this year. I'm not saying he should be first, but should definitely be mentioned by someone. Oh and it's not like Oklahoma State doesn't run the ball ever -- they're 41st in the country in rushing." -- SN commenter Buddy Nathan
• "Justin Blackmon, WR for Oklahoma State, should definetly be in the conversation. Personally, I think he is better than Dez Bryant. Blackmon is the most dominant player in the big 12 right now. He at least deserves to be put into the discussion." -- SN commenter serdawi
• "I think the Heisman is forgetting about someone. DeMarco Murray from OU. Team is undefeated. Landry Jones always checks down to this guy and he still produces on the ground. ... I guess voters will figure it out once OU runs the table all the way to the Big 12 championship." -- SN commenter Kantgetum

Justin Blackman (Stillwater)

Am i better than ryan broyles or is he just facing better competition?

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

Well, he's facing better competition, clearly, but they're very, very different receivers. Hard to compare them. Broyles is definitely better at getting open and running with the ball in his hand, but he can't go up and get balls like Justin Blackmon can. Broyles reminds me a little bit of Steve Smith and Blackmon obviously has some Randy Moss in him. Full transcript

• Vote: Is Utah the new wild card in conference realignment?
• Rank 'Em: Does the Big 12 have better teams than the Pac-10?
• Chat: Pat Forde sizes up the new conference landscape, 2 ET.
• More from ESPN.com: Big 12 blogger David Ubben on how the league was saved.

The Big East has teams in Milwaukee and Louisville. The Big Ten not only has a name that's out of date but a logo (with the embedded "11" in it) that's doubly wrong after adding Nebraska to the mix. The Pac-10 and Big 12? Not for math majors. At this rate, Conference USA needs to add the University of Western Ontario just to keep up with the big boys. But now that Texas has apparently saved the 10-team Big 12 by graciously accepting the opportunity to make more money than anyone else, what should we do about the name?

SportsNation blogger MightierToaster thinks the answer isn't coming up with a new name to match the math (and as a Big Ten fan, he has some experience with this). Instead, he thinks the answer is finding new non-Texas schools to match the old name.

• "Tulsa - Have a history of success and in Oklahoma, natural rivals.
  Memphis - Terrible football, has ability, but brings great BBall.
  Add the Florida market with either FAU or UCF.
  MTSU - Great up and coming program under Stockstill, adds Tennessee market."
  -- Read MightierToaster's full post.

Craig (Oklahoma)

I have an idea for the Big 12: add TCU and Tulsa to the conf. and put TCU in the south and Tulsa in the north, plus move OSU to the north. Just an idea, what do you think?

Bruce Feldman

I don't think its crazy. TCU is a big time program with great history. IT's not like you said shove two Sun Belts teams in there. Full transcript

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
• Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
• Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
• More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
• Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson

It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).

USC fans still have BCS hope, but know their team can't lose again. Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa fans wonder what more their teams can do, besides pray for a loss by one of the top 3.

Now that Ohio State has two losses SportsNation thinks Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor incorrectly. Fans, however, still think Sam Bradford is a first-round pick.

Florida State kicked off Week 8 with a needed win, and Alabama, Florida and Texas face opponents they shouldn't overlook.

• Vote: "GameDay" Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
• Vote on big games: Tennessee at Alabama | Texas at Missouri
• Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
• Other wraps: Brad Edwards | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel | Pat Forde | Mark Schlabach

“

Mark Ingram is a good reason for [Alabama's] passing to be less of a factor. Wait until next year for any shot of a Vols upset.

” -- Beano Cook

“

I pick Florida to win this game, but to be seen as legitimately No. 1, the Gators should win convincingly, even more so than against Arkansas.

” -- IdahoanTyke

“

My ranking: 1. Iowa; 2. Florida; 3. Alabama; 4. Texas; 5. Virginia Tech; 6. TCU; 7. Boise State; 8. USC; 9. Oregon; 10. LSU.

” -- CheezusCrust

• Fan blogger predictions for Week 8: nunyabiz81 | jodiemeeks23ppat54 | dfpsports | IdahoanTyke | codywin25 | gbirkem2 | utesfan2 | Sportsguru6

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