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• 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).

• Your Rankings: Where do you place Oregon in this week's top 25?
• Vote: Get an early start picking next week's games, including Oregon at Stanford
• Monday's chats: ACC blogger Heather Dinich | SEC blogger Chris Low | Mark Schlabach

Boise State just can't win. Or it can't just win. Something like that. Already facing SportsNation criticism for a weak schedule and weak margins of victory against teams like Tulsa, the Broncos now aren't even getting credit for their best win.

Boise State sits at No. 7 in this week's BCS standings, putting it last among the remaining unbeatens. But at least it remains a spot ahead of Oregon in the official tally. SportsNation isn't nearly as generous. Despite the small matter of Boise State's 19-8 win against Oregon to open the season, voters have jumped the Ducks ahead of the Broncos in this week's early balloting and contend, by a two-to-one margin, the Pac-10 team is simply better.

In last week's chat, BCS guru Brad Edwards broke down what may need to happen for Boise State to make another BCS appearance.

Will (Houston)

At the end of the day, what are the odds that a BCS bowl does what is right and picks a second non-AQ team when it's going to be held accountable by their advertisers and sponsors?

Brad Edwards

I don't think it'll have anything to do with advertisers, but it could happen this year. There's a chance that TCU and Boise State could both finish in the top 5 or 6, and if TCU comes out ahead and gets the automatic bid for the non-AQ teams, Boise has a realistic chance to be offered an at-large bid. There are four at-large spots into the BCS. In this scenario, TCU would have one of them. Odds are good that the SEC and Big Ten will get two of the other three. But if Notre Dame loses again and doesn't finish in the top 14, that gives Boise State a legitimate shot. The Big 12 might not have another team that could be considered, and the ACC and Big East might not have a second team that has a history of selling lots of bowl tickets. That would leave it as Boise State against the second team from the Pac-10, and depending which team that is, BSU would have a chance.

Full transcript | Chat with Edwards today, 3ET

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

Never mind that games yet to be played will determine who is in the BCS bowl games. The release of the first standings unleashed a torrent of opinions among college football fans.

The biggest complaints came from Iowa fans and those who argue that Boise State, Cincinnati or both are overrated.

"How is Boise State ahead of Iowa with that cupcake schedule?" wrote droste23. "I thought strength of schedule counted. Guess not. Iowa with wins AT Penn State, AT Wisconsin, Michigan. Laughable. If Iowa was Ohio State or Texas, with the exact same schedule, they'd be ranked probably No. 2."

Here's a sampling of opinions from fans of the Top 5 teams.

“

Bama and Florida have more games to play yet, so while we have dueling No. 1s the argument will rage on. I personally don't care for speculation. They'll settle it on the field if things work out.

” -- u_gator

“

I'm just making my case for Bama here. To me, Florida is clearly No. 2 and I almost believe they should leave No. 3 blank. There is that much of a difference between the next best teams (Iowa and then Texas).

” -- theballguy

“

Texas-Florida in BCS Championship Game. Colt McCoy doesn't deserve the Heisman. Tim Tebow can have that as an advance consolation prize for losing to Texas on Jan. 7 in Pasadena.

” -- johnznash

“

Finally some respect. We are No. 4 because we are consistent winners. Look at the facts: Broncos' decade of dominance. ... We can beat any team any given Saturday. Don't hate us; hate the system.

” -- boisestate42

“

Boise ranked over Cincinnati? You have to be kidding! I guess being in a BCS conference doesn't mean much. ... They limped this week against Tulsa, while Cincinnati dominated a 21st ranked South Florida team even after Tony Pike was injured. P.S. Who is this Brian Kelly guy anyway? Notre Dame doesn't deserve him.

” -- Bobnance13

To respond with your own blog, sign in or create a profile and start posting.

Thanks to longhorncutie07 for a little perspective during Red River Rivalry week. If you can't hang out with the fans of your least favorite opponent, you might have a problem.

These are our favorite photos uploaded this week. If any of the images makes you want to tell jokes about the intelligence of your biggest rival's fans, click them to view a larger picture and to comment. If you have a great picture or saw one you think the world should see, leave a brief description and a link in the Conversation section below.

• Vote: Would you stay and build a dynasty if you coached Boise State?
• Your Rankings: Is Boise State QB Kellen Moore in the thick of the Heisman race?
• Chat: Bruce Feldman talks college football, 2 ET

We've asked former Jets coach Herm Edwards to make a few opening remarks. Thanks, Herm. Boise State played to win the game Wednesday night in Tulsa and did just that against a one-loss team. Now the question is if a lack of style points in the 28-21 victory will hurt the Broncos as much as an actual loss might hurt Texas or Virginia Tech this weekend?

The Broncos entered the game ranked No. 5 in the country (although SportsNation had them one notch lower than that, preferring one-loss USC in the fifth spot). But with the first BCS rankings due out after this week's games, edging out a team Oklahoma blanked 45-0 doesn't seem like the way to make a statement. So what's the ultimate takeaway from Wednesday? Does beating a 4-1 team on the road to remain perfect help the Broncos (with a strong defensive showing, as ESPN.com non-AQ blogger Graham Watson recounted from Tulsa), or does a seven-point win turn out to be as good as a loss?

“

Best part about college football....is by the end of the season the discussion goes like this.....well Florida lost to X, X lost to X....and X lost to X....and then X went to OT against X so really it should have been a tie...and well X beat X...so......Why don't we have Buffalo play for the National Championship.

” -- killeryams1779

“

Plain and simple, the Broncos needed to win this one by 30 if they were going to have a real chance of impressing the poll voters. Right or wrong, a non-BCS-league school, if it is to win a championship (and become the first non-power-conference school to do so since BYU 26 years ago---not counting Penn State in '87 even though they were still independent and Notre Dame as...well...Notre Dame), must be exceptional in ways that a power conference school *coughOklahomacough* doesn't have to be in order to make the title game.

” -- monsterdog5

SportsNation thinks Boise State has less to worry about Wednesday night against Tulsa than any other top-five team this week. But are the Broncos college football's lovable underdogs or a potential unbeaten thorn in the side of more deserving teams? We think we know how voters in Blacksburg, Va., Columbus, Ohio, and a few other places will respond, but does SportsNation as a whole want to see Boise State get its shot at a national title?

“

BSU beat #16 Oregon and moved up to #12 the next week. BSU should be no higher than #12 since they play NO ONE. LOL BSU season ended after week 1.

” -- O-Town Magic

“

Broncos are a bit overrated. I'm not just saying that to get anybody riled up. I really believe it to be true. Was looking at the scores that the Pac-10 teams ran up against WAC schools last year compared to how Boise state did against those very same Wac schools. Turns out that the Pac-10 handled the WAC schools almost as well as the Broncos did--and all I'm talking about here is the AVERAGE of the Pac-10 teams.

” -- Zeusomally

“

I know there is no way in hell the "powers that be" are gonna let us stay close to the top 5 by the end of the season, no matter who we play or how much we win by. If we are close to the top 5 by seasons end and 1 or 2 too many teams lose they would have to put BSU in the Rose Bowl...and there is no way "they" are going to let BSU play in the Rose Bowl.

” -- DontHateBoiseSt.

• ESPN.com Heisman Watch: Houston's Case Keenum moves solidly into third place.
• Your Heisman Watch: Do you have anyone ahead of Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy?
• Tuesday's Chats: Pat Forde, 2 p.m. ET | Big 12 blogger Tim Griffin, 3 p.m. ET

Colt McCoy has thrown five interceptions in four games. Tim Tebow has completed 19 passes against non-FCS opponents. And yet it's not all that easy to argue against the two of them splitting all 15 first-place votes in this week's ESPN.com Heisman Watch.

SportsNation tried to branch out in its rankings last week, giving the Heisman nod to Cal running back Jahvid Best, only to see him go silent in a bad loss at Oregon. Voters also ranked Jacory Harris third a week ago, ahead of McCoy. Miami's quarterback rewarded that faith by floundering at Virginia Tech.

So will this be strictly a two-person race, or is there room for more at the top?

Chaz (Chicago)

Is it possible that Jimmy Clausen is underrated? His numbers are amazing. His performance has been top drawer in every game this year. And he's proving to be one tough competitor playing w/ a tough injury for QBs. Yet, no one is talking about him for the Heisman-- when he should be in the conversation.

Mark Schlabach

He earned a lot of my respect Saturday night by going back into the game with the toe injury and throwing the winning TD. His numbers have been great. He'd probably be in my top five today, but the Irish couldn't lose another game for him to stay there. Full transcript.

“

Mardy Gilyard for heisman, how many diffrent ways does the kid has to score to get some heisman buzz. Do they want him to teleport to the endzone? He is by far the most exciting player to watch since young & bush.

” -- lazarre11

“

Tebow has less than impressive numbers and is a runaway Heisman favorite? The Gators would be dominant with or without him. He is getting far too much credit for the talent around him.

” -- bodhisamaya

• Your rankings: What does your top 25 look like after the first week of games?

Memories of Steve Young, Jim McMahon and Ty Detmer weren't enough to earn BYU much respect from SportsNation entering the season, but Max Hall may have changed all of that by leading the Cougars to an upset win against Oklahoma.

Voters ranked BYU No. 24 in SportsNation's preseason top 25, behind fellow Mountain West contenders TCU (No. 19) and Utah (No. 17) and WAC power Boise State (No. 15). And when it came to the opening game, just 12 percent of SportsNation picked BYU to beat the Sooners in Dallas, less than half the support Nevada received on the road against Notre Dame.

The road doesn't get that much easier for BYU, which faces Tulane this week on ESPN2 but still has games against Florida State, Colorado State, TCU and Utah. But based on Saturday, we're giving Hall the nod over Courtney Cox as the fall's most successful Cougar.

• SportsNation blogger Lionsfanatic52 can't quite find room for BYU in his top 10 this week, but he does move the Cougars from No. 20 to No. 11, one spot ahead of the Sooners.
• Rather than giving the Mountain West an automatic bid in the BCS, blogger DedaloRafael would like to see the Pac-10 strengthen its case by adding BYU and Utah and creating a conference championship game. Boise State would like to know if Oregon's spot is negotiable.

“

Its time to add the MWC into the BCS mix. What is the ACC dooing in there? Didn't they have a bunch of bad losses this week to D1-aa teams? ... I think the MWC may not have the all around talent as the SEC or Big Ten and Big 12, but they are a heck of a lot better than the Big East and ACC.

” -- pucrepeap

“

BYU hung with OU all game long. They definitely didn't win because Bradford went out. OU was 1st and goal on the 2 yard line after a really bad PI call in the endzone... and they held them to a field goal, which ended up deciding the game! AND they won with 4 turnovers. So by no means did they play the perfect game. They didn't even play a great game.

” -- LikeISeeIt

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd always shake hands before stepping on the set of "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPNEWS at 4 p.m. and ESPN2 at midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Would you let Shaq spank you on your birthday?
In a hands-on interview, Shaq administered the birthday spanking for radio host "Money" from the "Petros & Money Show."

Should LeGarrette Blount be kicked off the Oregon football team?
Replays of the Oregon running back's punching Boise State linebacker Byron Hout after the Ducks' loss will be shown all season.

Are the Eagles too consumed with Michael Vick?
He'll be eligible in Week 3. In his final preseason game, Vick ran for a 2-yard touchdown, was sacked four times, lost a fumble and was intercepted.

Should Oklahoma State and Georgia shake hands before their football game?
The Cowboys won't have a team handshake with the Bulldogs, citing concerns about incidents that might erupt during the display of sportsmanship.

What do you think of Tiger Woods' criticism of Ernie Els?
Els said he had a three-year plan for dethroning Tiger but hasn't won in his past 41 tournaments. Tiger said his opponent hasn't worked hard enough.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.