Is Boise State vs. TCU Still Possible?

Earlier in the season, it looked like No. 23 South Carolina would stop the SEC from appearing in the BCS Championship Game when the Gamecocks beat the Crimson Tide (No. 12). The other SEC powerhouses didn't look like BCS contenders as LSU (No. 5) only looked lucky and Florida (No. 22) fans suddenly were calling for Urban Meyer's termination. Now, however, Auburn (No. 2) has a clear path to the BCS title game.

Oregon (No. 1) is rolling over its opponents by virtually scoring at will, which leaves the question: can the Broncos and Horned Frogs make a permanent dent in the BCS cartel and force a plus-one scenario earlier than anyone expected by meeting in the BCS title game?

Boise State (No. 4) and TCU (No. 3) looked poised to rain on the BCS parade with a non-BCS matchup in the title game, but within a few weeks, the SEC and Pac-10 staked claims to the BCS title game.

Is it possible for a Boise State vs. TCU BCS Championship Game? Anything is possible, but like a 7-6 NFL team, the Broncos and Horned Frogs need a lot of help with only a few games left.

SEC

Cam Newton and Auburn quietly climbed the BCS standings, while one-loss Alabama found themselves poised to run the table so they could defend their title. This weekend, LSU may have finally eliminated Alabama (No. 12) and put Auburn in the driver's seat for a BCS title game berth. A win against Georgia is all that is needed for Auburn to get in the SEC Championship Game and a victory there will most likely get them in the BCS title game.

An Alabama victory in the Iron Bowl against Auburn would give the Tigers their first loss. A loss in the SEC Championship Game against either Florida or South Carolina would give Auburn two losses late in the season, which could be too much for the Tigers to overcome.

If Auburn clinches an appearance in the SEC Championship Game and loses to Alabama in the process, could a one-loss LSU or two-loss Auburn get in the BCS Championship Game? LSU and the 2007 season have proven that a two-loss SEC team is still a threat to teams like Boise State and TCU.

The LSU Tigers play Mississippi and No. 15 Arkansas in the final weeks of the season and without an appearance in the SEC title game, it would probably be impossible for them to leapfrog Boise State and TCU. With the way LSU has won this year, they are clearly not a team that should be counted out at any point.

Big Ten

This BCS conference has a series of attractive one-loss teams, but none appear to be ranked high enough this late in the season or have enough games against highly-ranked teams for them to rise to No. 1 or 2 in the BCS. No. 13 Iowa's loss against No. 18 Arizona early in the season has and will continue to haunt them as they will face No. 9 Ohio State on Nov 20. Both of those teams could have used that game to make a case for a BCS title berth.

No. 11 Michigan State's luck in not facing Ohio State has doomed their chances along with their Iowa loss. No. 7 Wisconsin could end up the highest ranked Big Ten team, but that would only clinch them a spot in the Rose Bowl or their pick of another BCS game, not the title game.

ACC

The ACC's main impact on the BCS will be how No. 20 Virginia Tech finishes its season. If they can continue to win and finish as the ACC champion, Boise State will benefit because of the Broncos' win earlier in the season against the Hokies.

Big East

The Big East doesn't appear to have any impact on the BCS title game this late in the season.

Big 12

No. 8 Nebraska will need to win out and hope the Big 12 South champion enters the Big 12 Championship Game ranked in the top 10 in the BCS standings, setting up a Big 12 title game with some late season meaning. If No. 10 Oklahoma State enters the Big 12 Championship Game and Nebraska wins, the Huskers could leap frog a few teams. The Huskers would need Oregon or Auburn to stumble to get in the title game, but jumping over the Broncos and Horned Frogs may come easy with a Big 12 title.

Nebraska has remaining games against Kansas, No. 25 Texas A&M, Colorado, and the possible Big 12 championship, which combined could help them vault into the BCS title game, but because it is late in the season and they are currently ranked No. 8, it would be a tough climb to the top.

Baylor will have an impact on the BCS title game, as they will face No. 16 Oklahoma in their final game. If Baylor can win out, it will help TCU. TCU's victory over Baylor earlier has helped the Horned Frogs, and with victories over the No. 25 Aggies and Sooners in their final games, the Bears could keep helping the Horned Frogs.

Pac-10

Oregon controls its own destiny like Auburn with regards to an invitation to the BCS title game. The Ducks will face Arizona, but No. 6 Stanford's beatdown of the Wildcats doesn't inspire much confidence for a Duck loss.

The team that is flying under the BCS radar is Oregon State. They have lost to TCU and Boise State and will face Oregon in the intense Civil War on December 4. What if going into that game TCU and Boise State are still ranked No. 3 and No. 4, Auburn sits with one loss, and Oregon then loses to the Beavers, will true BCS chaos ensue? Also, Oregon State will play Stanford Nov 27. Oregon State is 4-4, but if they were to get on a hot streak, they would have a major impact on the BCS. Their losses to Boise State and TCU, combined with wins over Oregon and Stanford, could propel Boise State or TCU into the title game.

Boise State and TCU

Boise State will play three of their last four games on national television on Friday nights. In addition to wins, the Broncos will want to impress the voters with style points in those games. Boise State's date with a ranked No. 21 Nevada on Nov. 26 could be their last best shot to impress the computers and voters.

TCU has two games left and it is doubtful San Diego State and New Mexico will help their BCS title game hopes with anything but style points.

Oregon and Auburn control their own destiny and winning out will most likely guarantee their appearance in the BCS title game. Winning out may be slightly easier for Oregon than Auburn, however. Nebraska also may stand in the way of Boise State and TCU, as well. Boise State and TCU may end up relegated to other BCS bowls and hopefully they won't be forced to play each other three years in a row.