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

1. Which team would win if TCU played Stanford on a neutral field?

TCU didn't lose a game all season, capped by a Rose Bowl win against Wisconsin. Stanford routed Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl and lost its only game on the road against unbeaten Oregon. Since we won't ever know for sure without a playoff, which team do you think would win if the Cardinal and Horned Frogs met?

• "'Don't you wonder whether your Ducks weren't lucky to catch Stanford early? It had four blowouts prior to its Oregon game. A match at the end instead? Interesting, huh?" -- SN commenter Jayjaybe11

1. Does TCU have a claim to the national championship?

They beat every team they played in the regular season. They held a Wisconsin team that put up 70 points almost as regularly as the Sacramento Kings to 19 points in the Rose Bowl. No matter which team wins between Auburn and Oregon, we'll have two unbeaten teams in college football this season. Does TCU have an argument?

• "'Wisconsin proved that TCU's defense is far over rated putting up 200+ yards on the ground when they only allowed what 85 during the regular season. Anyone can come and play 1 game a year. TCU played the better game but Wisconsin proved their defense is over rated with all the cupcakes in the MWC." -- SN commenter badgersFanForLife

• 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: 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: Will Boise State get past Fresno State this Friday? | Boise or TCU?
• Rank 'Em: Does Boise State have better wins than TCU? | Top 25?
• Chat: BCS guru Brad Edwards breaks down the scenarios, 11:30 a.m. ET

TCU had about as bad a weekend as a championship contender can have while remaining undefeated after 11 games. Granted, it still beats being Indiana.

The Horned Frogs fell behind early in Saturday's 40-35 win against San Diego State and had to hold on late against a rally by the Aztecs. But at least they had some control over that one. The other blow came in South Bend, Ind., where a previously struggling Notre Dame team beat up Utah. By the transitive property that rules college football, that result made TCU's demolition of the Utes the week before look less impressive.

So as Boise State gains on TCU in the BCS standings, which team's signature win took a bigger hit the following week?

1. Are you picking TCU or Utah to win in Salt Lake City?

A non-AQ team in the top five is guaranteed to lose this weekend, and that might just be the best news college football's little guys have ever had. No. 3 TCU visits No. 5 Utah in a Mountain West showdown, and the winner is going to emerge with a very high-profile win to tout come title game selection. PollCenter.

• "This will be a close, defensive battle into the 4th. The altitude and the depth of the Utah Defensive line will get to the TCU O-line, and force one or two turnovers. The TCU D will get tired from being on the field (coupled with the altitude), and Shaky will break one, and Wynn will hit a big pass, probably to Christopher. A 14-10 TCU lead, turns into a 24-14 defeat." -- SN commenter UteFanCotts

• 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: Are you a fan of the blue turf? | Would Boise State win the Pac-10?
• Rank 'Em: Which teams are the biggest threat to the BCS this season?
• Chat: Non-AQ blogger Andrea Adelson talks Mountain West, WAC and more, 2 ET

A lot of college football fans will tell you their two favorite teams are their team and whoever plays their rival that Saturday. But it sure feels like Boise State is gaining ground on the latter part of that equation.

There are a lot of things working in Boise State's favor as it builds a nationwide network of fans. The Broncos play at least five games on ESPN or ESPN2 this season, all on weekday nights when college football fans are craving something to tide them over until Saturday. And since it's safe to say the BCS isn't America's most popular institution, it only makes sense to support the team whose diverse playbook has helped poke holes in the system's flaws. Plus, let's be honest, who doesn't love them some blue turf?

So as long as they aren't playing your team, is Boise State America's team?

Brian (Greensboro)

Ivan, pretend that Boise State is any BCS conference this year...where do you rank them? Is it still third (AP), fifth (Coaches) or something else?

Ivan Maisel

I understand your point. But Boise State has won two Fiesta Bowls in the last four years. They have 20-plus starters returning from an undefeated team. I don't think anyone need apologize for ranking the Broncos high. And if they lose, we'll be wrong and we'll all move on. Full transcript

Jeremy (Corvallis)

How do you think Boise would do in the PAC-10? It's much easier to get up for 1 (max. 2) games per year, compared to having to show up every week (except against Wazzu).

Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller

Hard to say: Boise is a good team, and it is particularly good at preparing for big games. But as you say, playing a quality foe just about every week is something the Broncos have not done. I do think this year's Boise State team would finish in the top-third of the Pac-10, perhaps even win the conference. Full transcript