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3. Which contender played its best football late?

It's hard to argue against Auburn as deserving national champion under the current system. Well, it's hard to argue if you aren't TCU. But what if college football had even a four-team playoff? Which team played the kind of ball in bowl season that leads you to believe they could get on a playoff roll? Rank your final Top 25.

• "Stanford would have beaten Oregon and Auburn last night. Stanford was possibly one half away from playing in that game last night, and if they did I know they would have beat Auburn." -- SN commenter PCpinecones

• Vote: Which team will win each BCS bowl? | How will Auburn-Oregon play out?
• Rank 'Em: Which are the strongest BCS teams? | Who are the best BCS players?

After a season full of upsets, near upsets, blowouts, rivalries and Cameron Newton, the BCS picture has finally been fully painted.

The national championship game looks to be a real barn burner, as Auburn and Oregon both feature high-powered offenses capable of scoring several touchdowns in a single quarter. It'll be a challenge for either team to limit the other to fewer than 30 points, but we won't complain if the combined points total of this game skyrockets past 80. The other matchups seem pretty even, too, save for the surprising Connecticut Huskies taking on the Oklahoma Sooners in the Fiesta Bowl. Connecticut made a BCS bowl despite managing only an 8-4 record and will be hard-pressed to stop Landry Jones and Oklahoma's passing attack. Still, we're looking forward to all these games. Which promises to be the most exciting?

• 
  National championship: Auburn vs. Oregon: "I have to say I actually think this game will be close. Auburn will start punding the ball like a 1980s team in the second half and I see Oregon making a couple mistakes to lead to turnovers or souple three and outs and Auburn having a 10 minute 15+ Play drive in the forth to go up by 2 touchdowns." -- EarnYourOwn
• 
  Sugar Bowl: Arkansas vs. Ohio State: "Arkansas CAN beat Ohio State. This isn't your grandma's Ark team. This isn't an under-talented HDN team sneaking in through a weak west, relying on David Vs Goliath speeches along the way, only to be crushed in a mis-match. This team has talent, experience, and confidence. So does OSU, which makes this a GREAT match-up. " -- HAWGHEAD14
• 
  Orange Bowl: Stanford vs. Virginia Tech: "wooo couldnt have hoped for a better match up than this for my Hokies! Should be a great game. Stanford is a GREAT team, should be a good test for VT. Stanford will be favored, which plays into VTs hands. All season since the embarrassing 0-2 start has been about getting respect back, and if the Hokies can pull off a win over a great Stanford team, they will finally get that respect back! " -- Dmoney51715
• 
  Fiesta Bowl: Connecticut vs. Oklahoma: "As a Uconn fan, I have to say that this is great to go to a BCS game and play a team with the history of OU. It was also great to see us destroy a South Carolina team last year and beat Notre Dame at their place as well. However, I am not delusional to think that we could compete week in and out in that conference, but do think they are going to play a lot better than most believe. " -- Ice1396
• 
  Rose Bowl: TCU vs. Wisconsin: "Wow, what a statistical dead heat in the offensive category. I hope this game will be as great as it is on paper, statistically speaking. TCU being in the Rose "Granddaddy of them all" Bowl is awesome! This is the true gut punch to the E. Gorden Gee elitists of the world. Rejoice Frog faithful, we are only one of four other teams, OU, UT, Nebraska, and Miami, that have EVER played in this bowl game outside of the Pac-10/Big Ten! Awesome week to be a Frog." -- HornedFrog1992

Vote: No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 19 South Carolina
1. Gene Chizik or Steve Spurrier?
2. Has Cam Newton locked up the Heisman?
3. Auburn's toughest test?
4. Did SC have its shot?
5. Which team will win in Atlanta?
Have your say on the SEC championship game

Vote: No. 2 Oregon at Oregon St.
1. What would OSU enjoy more?
2. LaMichael James or Jacquizz Rodgers?
3. Best Pac-10 rivalry?
4. Chip Kelly or Mike Riley?
5. Which team will win in Corvallis?
Have your say on Oregon at Oregon St.

Vote: No. 9 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Oklahoma
1. Big 8/Big 12 rivalry winner?
2. Best impact player in this game?
3. Nebraska in the Big Ten?
4. Taylor Martinez or Cody Green?
5. Which team will win in Arlington?
Have your say on the Big 12 championship game

Vote: No. 15 Virginia Tech vs. No. 21 Florida St.
1. Christian Ponder or Tyrod Taylor?
2. Is Fisher the coach of the future?
3. ACC's premier program?
4. ACC title game location?
5. Which team will win in Charlotte?
Have your say on the ACC championship game

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: Auburn, Boise State, Oregon or TCU? | This week's GameDay Pick 'Em
• Rank 'Em: Forget the BCS standings; what does your top four look like?
• Chat wrap: BCS guru Brad Edwards broke down the scenarios

Isn't the college football championship picture supposed to clear up as we get closer to the end of the season? After a light Saturday in terms of big games, the BCS standings remained the same for the third consecutive week. That means we're treading water when it comes to sorting out the four teams most likely to produce the eventual championship matchup (our head hurts enough without bringing LSU and others into the mix). And clearly, that just gives fans too much time to ponder every conceivable scenario that might unfold. This week's question? What happens if Auburn loses to Alabama in Tuscaloosa this weekend but bounces back to beat South Carolina in the SEC title game?

• "The strength of Auburn's schedule is why they will get into the NC even if they lose to Alabama, and then beat South Carolina in the SECCG. SOS will win out. I'm not saying this is exactly fair, but its the way its. There is too much money involved in the BCS system to allow an undefeated BSU into the NC over a one-loss SEC team. Does anyone need to be reminded which conference has won the last four NCs?" -- mbowyer2
• "What's funny is that Auburn will have played more ranked opponents then TCU, BS and Oregon combined. I already know what's going to happen. Auburn will lose to Alabama, win the SEC championship and watch TCU or BS play Oregon in the BCS CG. Very sad. I hate Auburn, but even with one loss, they deserve to be in the CG just based off of strength of schedule." -- urGatorbait

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Oregon at California

• Is Oregon's offense more exciting than Steve Nash's best Suns teams?

• Would it have mattered if Cal QB Kevin Riley didn't get hurt?

• Vote on those and other questions about Oregon at Cal!

Jonathan (NYC)

Mel, what do you think of LaMichael James' NFL draft prospects if he were to decide to leave early this year? Is he a first-round talent in this year's draft? And If he were to come back to Oregon, what does he need to work on to improve his position?

Mel Kiper

He's a third-year sophomore. Second highest rated running back that is draft eligible behind Ingram. Great quickness and power for his size. His main thing right now is staying healthy so he can prove his durability. He has to show he can be more than a situational performer at the next level. He only has eight receptions this year out of the backfield, so that is something to watch. At the pro level he will need to be more of a factor in the passing game. He will also need to factor into the return game which he hasn't done in college. But he is a big-time talent. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for Georgia at No. 2 Auburn

• Is this too much of a rivalry to be a trap game for Auburn?

• Is it fair for Heisman voters to consider more than Cam Newton's performance?

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

Alex (Columbia, SC)

I saw that Auburn almost overtook Oregon in the BCS. Do you see them taking the Number 1 position back?

Brad Edwards

No, I don't. This was a result of TCU's big win jumping them over Oregon in several computers, thus causing the Ducks to weaken in the computer element. Oregon has a much stronger schedule than TCU the rest of the way and should regain that ground in the computers. The only way Oregon falls from No. 1 in the BCS is if it loses a lot of its first-place votes in the polls. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 19 Mississippi State at No. 12 Alabama

• Which team are you more surprised to find at 7-2?

• Has Dan Mullen outcoached Nick Saban this year?

• Vote on those and other questions about Mississippi State at Alabama!

Jamie (Provo, UT)

Do you believe Miss. State will beat Alabama this Saturday?

Ivan Maisel

Yes. I think this will be a real gut check for Alabama. The Tide isn't going to win the national championship. They're playing a team with a lot of emotion after the death of Nick Bell. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 23 South Carolina at No. 22 Florida

• Would Boise State finish ahead of both in SEC East?

• Which coach will have a greater legacy?

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

Mike (Pageland, SC)

The Gamecocks travel to Gainesville this weekend to try and win their first SEC East title. How do you like their chances after the beat down from Arkansas last weekend?

Beano Cook

Number one, that game meant nothing. I agree that South Carolina should have played a little better. I am rooting for South Carolina and Steve Spurrier, but I think Florida will win. It would be ironic if Florida and Auburn met for the SEC title! Full transcript

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | Unbeaten vs. unbeaten

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Auburn at Mississippi

• How big a win is an impressive win for Auburn?

• Will Cameron Newton go over 200 yards on the ground again?

• Vote on those and other questions about Auburn at Ole Miss!

Todd (Anchorage)

Mel, which pro QB, past or present, does Newton remind you of the most?

Mel Kiper

The best runner I ever saw as a QB was Michael Vick. He just had tremendous speed, explosiveness. This kid is the closest I've seen since Vick. Newton is 6-6, close to 250 pounds. He has great feet. He has different gears in the open field. He shocked Patrick Peterson last week. And he has the power where he can drag you. Plus, he has a cannon for an arm. He's an incredible talent. Another year at Auburn could make him and early first round pick in the draft and the top QB chosen in the 2012 draft, assuming that Luck comes out this year. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 2 Oregon at USC

• Is Oregon's defense a major liability?

• Is Lane Kiffin doing better than you expected at USC?

• Vote on those and other questions about Oregon at USC!

Oscar (Los Angeles)

Is USC factored into the BCS and then simply taken out, or are they not even imputed into the computers?

Brad Edwards

Even though the Trojans can't be ranked in the coaches' and Harris polls, USC is still a part of the computer rankings (ranked in the 20s by all of them this week), so it doesn't hurt Oregon in the BCS. In fact, the computers (and maybe most humans), will consider USC to be the second-best team Oregon has played so far this year, behind Stanford. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 6 Missouri at No. 14 Nebraska

• Would you take Blaine Gabbert over Taylor Martinez?

• Will beating OU give Missouri a hangover or momentum?

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

Ryan (Lincoln, NE)

How does Mizzou try to defend T-Magic, now that he's shown he can air it out a bit?

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

Missouri learned a lot from playing Illinois earlier this season. You'll probably see a similar approach. Especially with Dominique Hamilton out, prepare to see a lot of the "Candy" formation, with four defensive ends. They need speed on the field. Aldon Smith and Taylor Martinez are going to go head-to-head a lot this week. Smith has to be a lot faster than he looked on that interception return, but I bet he was pretty tired at the end of that thing. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 5 Michigan State at No. 18 Iowa

• Are you buying the Spartans as championship material?

• Would you rather build a defense around Greg Jones or Adrian Clayborn?

• Vote on those and other questions about Michigan State at Iowa!

Doug (Quad Cities)

Adam, love the blog. Michigan State is a lot like Iowa was last year. Winning close games, playing well in the 4th quarter. The spead is Iowa by 6.5 right now (which seems way high for a top tier big 10 game). Iowa might get Parker back so does Iowa play spoiler this weekend and cause MSU's luck to run out?

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Doug, you can't be a spoiler when you're favored by 6.5 points. Most folks expect Iowa to win this game, and the Hawkeyes have to if they want to remain in the Big Ten race. You can bet Michigan State will use the underdog thing to its advantage. The teams certainly have similarities from the last two years, and the last three games have been very close. I'd expect another nailbiter Saturday. Full transcript

Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for Georgia vs. Florida

• How will Urban Meyer's Florida tenure end?

• Does Georgia have the best quarterback in this game?

• Vote on those and other questions about Georgia vs. Florida!

Nick (Atlanta)

Cocktail Party Thoughts?

Ivan Maisel

It's just weird that neither Florida nor Georgia is ranked. I've been saying for a couple of weeks that Georgia is going to win the East, largely because it would be a great story if the Dawgs pulled it off and I root for great stories. I don't know how you predict which Florida team will show up in Jacksonville. But Aaron Murray is coming around for Georgia. I'm going to take Georgia. Full transcript

• Vote: Will Oregon take care of UCLA tonight? (ESPN/ESPN3, 9 p.m. ET)
• Rank 'Em: Who are the Pac-10's best quarterbacks?

UCLA may be without starting quarterback Kevin Prince when it takes the field at Oregon on Thursday night. (Did we mention it's on at ESPN? At 9 p.m. ET? Just checking). That's not the best recipe for success in one of the toughest venues in college football and against a team ranked second in the BCS standings. But hey, the Ducks themsevles are evidence that Pac-10 schools seem to stockpile quarterbacks like freshmen stockpile posters for their dorm rooms. No Jeremiah Masoli? No problem. Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas has thrown 14 touchdown passes, and when the Ducks needed his legs against Stanford, he rushed for 117 yards.

In talking about the initial BCS standings with Ivan Maisel on Monday, Mark Schlabach said the Pac-10 "suddenly looks very mediocre." But at least when it comes to quarterbacks, is there a conference deeper than one that boasts Thomas, Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, Matt Barkley and (when healthy) Nick Foles?

Chris (Pasadena (via Reno))

On the subject of Pac 10 QB's, is Barkley showing why he was the number one recruit in the country a couple of years ago? I'd argue he's at least on par with Luck in the conference.

Ivan Maisel

Barkley is having a great year. And I'm surprised that he has gotten as little national attention as he has. But if keeps producing 30-something points a game, he'll show up in all the Heisman hype. Full transcript

Keith H (Seattle)

Mel, how far has Jake Locker's draft stock fallen

Mel Kiper

From being right there at the top. He was No. 1 on the board through the early portion of the season. Obviously, he fell after that performance against Nebraska. He's played better. He fell from 7 to 8 this week. He's going to be a nice QB. He needs to be coached up. Like all QBs, he's going to need some time. He'll fall in the middle of the first round. Luck and Mallett and Newton and the other juniors can't go to the Senior Bowl. Locker is the only highly rated senior QB. I hope he's at the Senior Bowl. He can start to improve his rating down there. Full transcript

• Vote: Which challenger has the best quarterback, coach and win? | This week's picks?
• Rank 'Em: What does your top five look like in college football?
• Chat: CFB Nation blogger Andrea Adelson, 12 ET | Mark Schlabach's national take, 1 ET

Boise State beat New Mexico State 59-0 on the field Saturday in Las Cruces, N.M. We just thought we'd get that out of the way early because it seems to be the one game that doesn't have much to do with Boise State's place in the championship debate this week.

Fresh off blitzing Stanford 52-31, Oregon jumped to No. 3 in the AP poll and is closer to No. 2 Ohio State than to No. 4 Boise State, which dropped a spot after its win against the Aggies. That has fans of the Broncos rather agitated, given their team's wins against Oregon the last two seasons. Of course, Oregon fans are pointing out that beating Stanford is more impressive than anything Boise State has done -- or could do -- this season. Meanwhile, Ohio State fans are hoping nobody looks too closely at a tight win against Illinois.

We wouldn't have nearly as much to argue about if there was a way to settle this on the field, but seeing as there isn't, let the arguing commence.

• "No way Oregon is better than Boise State. Not only did Boise State whoop Oregon two years in a row, they would whoop Oregon this year. TCU would beat Oregon ... I feel for Boise State right now, but all TCU and Boise State can do is just win. Style points do not matter anymore, proven by the AP voters." -- TCUMWC
• "This is absurd. How is this possible? Oregon has played one ranked opponent. Boise has played two. Oregon struggled vs. ASU last week. Boise hasn't struggled against bad teams. Also, Boise beat Oregon St. who has only lost to two top 5 teams. Lets hope Nevada goes up so we have a decent team to play in Nov. Pollsters are boneheads." -- bhow93
• "I'm glad that Boise State is at Number 4. They have a cupcake schedule. Oregon thrashed a very good and very tough Stanford team and for that, they deserve their number 3 spot." -- abuja19
• "Oregon should have jumped Ohio St as well. East coast bias is so obvious with Ohio St. I still remember when Ohio St was squeaking out victories over mediocre teams and still ranked higher than a USC team that totally dominated them. Should be Alabama, Oregon, Boise St, TCU, then maybe Ohio St...." -- jebbyman

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 7 Florida at No. 1 Alabama

• Is John Brantley a better passer than Greg McElroy?

• Will Nick Saban be at Alabama longer than Urban Meyer is at Florida?

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

Brian (Florida)

Mel, Should Florida have kept "Trey Burton" a secret until this Sat against Alabama? I think so. Now Bama coaches can plan on stopping this new Offensive Package Florida has.. What do you think?

Mel Kiper

He is a very versatile player. You have to get him in the game to evolve the offense. They weren't separating themselves from other teams and they needed something to flip that switch. This was a breakout game for them in life after Tebow. You have to see what you have. There are more games on the schedule than just Alabama. They needed to find weapons and they obviously found one in Burton. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 9 Stanford at No. 4 Oregon

• Is Oregon's new QB better than its old QB?

• Is this the "Game of the Year" in the Pac-10?

• Vote on those and other questions about Stanford at Oregon!

James (St. Paul, MN)

Ivan, What chance do you give the 2 visting teams this weekend? Florida and Stanford. I know you are a Stanford Alum so you cannot be biased

Ivan Maisel

And I grew up in Alabama, so maybe I can. Seriously, Florida is a young team going into a very tough place to play against a team that has been thinking about them all season. It's a tall order for the Gators. Stanford has the style to compete with Oregon. Whether that physical play and the talent of Andrew Luck can prevail in the toughest stadium in the Pac-10, I don't know. I would be more surprised by a Florida win than a Stanford win. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 21 Texas vs. No. 8 Oklahoma

• Is Garrett Gilbert a star in waiting for Texas?

• Should the Big 12 move the game later in the season?

• Vote on those and other questions about Texas vs. Oklahoma!

Ryan (Houston)

Last minute switch to a spread have any chance of working for Texas this weekend?

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

If I'm Texas, I shift to a little bit more of a pass-oriented scheme. The running game is just not working, and that's not going to change this week, despite what OU's rushing numbers say. For Texas, Gilbert is their best offensive talent, and the more the ball is in his hand, the better. They don't have any elite backs capable of changing games right now and the offensive line hasn't been impressive. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 22 Penn State at No. 17 Iowa

• Was last week proof Evan Royster is back?

• Would you rather have Joe Paterno or Kirk Ferentz this season?

• Vote on those and other questions about Penn State at Iowa!

Norm Parker's Doctor (Iowa City, IA)

Do you see Penn State's offense, and Royster specifically, suddenly turning things on or was Temple the fluke for the young QB and Royster?

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Well Doc, hope Norm is doing better, first and foremost. Will be good to see him back soon. I don't think Royster's performance was a fluke at all. He's an All-Big Ten-caliber back, as he's shown the past few seasons, and Temple has a pretty stout defense. The concerns are still there in the red zone, though. If Penn State can't start punching it in for touchdowns, it'll be a tough Big Ten season. Full transcript

Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 11 Wisconsin at No. 24 Michigan State

• Which team has the better backfield?

• Does Madison have rougher winters than East Lansing?

• Vote on those and other questions about Wisconsin at Michigan State!

Dizzle (Detroit, MI)

How much with MSU go up the rankings if they beat Wisconsin this saturday?

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Good question, Dizzle, one I've been thinking about quite a bit. The voters don't seem to think much of Wisconsin, keeping the Badgers at No. 11 despite Texas' loss and a 70-3 Wisconsin win. I'd imagine Michigan State would enter the top 20, probably 16-18. Full transcript