ESPN

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)

Have defense, will travel. That seems to be the philosophy for LSU this season, and it has taken the Tigers all the way to the top of the AP poll. Saturday's win at West Virginia marked LSU's third big win away from home, joining a list that includes a neutral-site win against Oregon and a road win at Mississippi State. But are the Tigers the best team now and for the long run? Rank 'Em: Is LSU your No. 1 team?

• "Not surprised that LSU jumped OU. I am surprised that Alabama didn't pass them both. Thought they looked best against a highly ranked opponent. LSU should have killed WV, but they didn't." -- SN commenter Calfirebird1960
• "Can somebody please explain who gave Boise State a vote for the top ranked? They have not beaten anybody good. Schools like LSU and Alabama are much better than UGA is. Them two schools would put a hurting on BSU." -- SN commenter Papabear201174

Which team would win on a neutral field?

•  
  77%
  LSU
•  
  23%
  Oklahoma

(Total votes: 14,170)

Which team would win on a neutral field?

•  
  78%
  LSU
•  
  22%
  Boise State

(Total votes: 14,082)

Which team will win at Alabama on Nov. 5?

•  
  54%
  LSU
•  
  46%
  Alabama

(Total votes: 10,618)

Which of these top-10 teams would have the best chance to beat LSU on a neutral field?

•  
  9%
  Nebraska
•  
  22%
  Oklahoma State
•  
  14%
  South Carolina
•  
  20%
  Stanford
•  
  36%
  Wisconsin

(Total votes: 10,230)

• Vote: Which team will win tonight's game? (ESPN/ESPN3, 8 p.m. ET)
• Rank 'Em: Are Chris Petersne and Kyle Whittingham top-10 coaches?

Tonight's Las Vegas Bowl offers a showdown between the Mountain West and WAC. Or is it a showdown between the Mountain West and Pac-10? Then again, maybe it's a showdown between Mountain West past and Mountain West future. This is so confusing.

Boise State is leaving the WAC after this game to join the Mountain West. Utah is leaving the Mountain West after this game to join the Pac-10. And then there's TCU going to the Big East after next season. But whether tonight's game is a battle of mid-majors or Utah's first steps as a major, what does the future holds for the three highest-profile non-AQ programs?

Neil (Vegas)

Which new conference are you most excited to watch next year: Pac 12 or Big Ten?

Ivan Maisel

I'm more excited to see the Big Ten, because I think Nebraska comes in at or near the top of that conference. I don't know that you can say the same about Utah and Colorado and the Pac-12. Full transcript

2. Would Chris Petersen trade Boise for Gainesville?

It's usually a sign to run the other way as quickly as possible when someone offers you some prime real estate in a swamp, but what would Boise State coach Chris Petersen do if Florida opted to raid a non-BCS power for their next coach, much as they did when they lured Urban Meyer away from Utah? PollCenter | Rank SEC coaches

• "Chris Peterson please. He'll even get to wear the same colors! The man's got to be tired of winning up a storm in the WAC and not getting any respect. Isn't BSU losing a lot of seniors this year?" -- SN commenter acuwrex

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 Fresno State at No. 4 Boise State!

• Will Boise State go undefeated?

• Can Fresno State stop Kellen Moore?

• Vote on those and other questions about Fresno State at Boise State!

Ryan (Medford)

What 2 teams would you like to see in the National Championship?

Mel Kiper

I'd like to see Boise State, because I want to end this debate once and for all. They brought back 21 starters. They haven't lost in two years. They have a Heisman candidate at QB. They have good players on the defensive side. They won't be the same team next year. The only starter they lost was Kyle Wilson. I want to see this Boise State team, who beat TCU last year in a bowl game. I would like to settle this argument once and for all, against another undefeated team. Obviously, if Auburn and Oregon win out, they play for the title. If Auburn loses, the debate is does a one-loss SEC team trump an undefeated TCU or Boise State? The best matchup would be Boise State against Auburn or Boise State against Oregon. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 8 Nebraska at No. 19 Texas A&M

• Should Huskers fans be worried about Taylor Martinez's injury?

• Should the Aggies have changed quarterbacks midseason?

• Vote on those and other questions about Nebraska at Texas A&M!

Melissa (Nebraska)

Nebrask's offense seems so vanilla. Do you think Watson has something he's holding back or the offense is what it is? Bo wants the fans to cheer but there isn't much to cheer about except the defense.

Dave Ubben

A valid point about the crowd. Not much to cheer about: weak opponent, a coach they liked. I can't blame the Nebraska fans there. As for the offense, it knows it didn't need to hang a lot of points to win, and the Huskers didn't want to give opponents a chance to hit Taylor Martinez any more than necessary. A solid gameplan but not one that's going to give you a raucous crowd. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 13 Arkansas at No. 21 Mississippi St.!

• What do you make of Mississippi State's recent defensive struggles?

• Is Ryan Mallet a legitimate pro prospect?

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

Jeff (Pine Bluff, Arkansas)

What's your Prediction on the Arkansas Mississippi State Game?

Chris Low

I think the Hogs will pull away in the second half. I just don't see Mississippi State being able to score enough points to win this game. Plus, Arkansas' defense is playing a lot better this season. Full transcript

• 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?

• 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