The biggest surprise of the BCS Rankings Week 11, although perhaps it should not be, is the jump of TCU to No. 4. This is the highest BCS ranking ever for any team without an automatic bid to any of the big-money college bowl games.
TCU's No. 4 ranking in the BCS Rankings Week 11 is helped by the complex rating system used by the BCS. TCU is ranked fourth in both the Harris and coaches' polls. Also, their lopsided victories have helped as well: they have won their last four games by an average of 44-8.
Yesterday Alabama beat LSU to ensure itself a rematch against Florida for the SEC title. Although TCU has moved to No. 4 in the BCS Rankings Week 11, because the top 3 are guaranteed berths in one of the post-season bowls, the top three has to falter for TCU to have a chance at the national championship.
In fact, Alabama and Florida will meet Dec. 5 in the SEC league championship game. One of them is all but guaranteed a spot in the BCS title game on Jan. 7 in Pasadena, CA, assuming they get through the next month without a loss.
Interstingly, LSU lost to the Crimson Tide, but rose in the BCS Rankings Week 11 from 9 to 8. This is likely due to the strength of schedule aspect of the BCS rankings.
Here's the full list of the BCS Rankings Week 11:
1 Florida 9-0
2 Alabama 9-0
3 Texas 9-0
4 TCU 9-0
5 Cincinnati 9-0
6 Boise State 9-0
7 Georgia Tech 9-1
8 LSU 7-2
9 USC 7-2
10 Iowa 9-1
11 Ohio State 8-2
12 Pittsburgh 8-1
13 Oregon 7-2
14 Miami (FL) 7-2
15 Houston 8-1
16 Utah 8-1
17 Arizona 6-2
18 Penn State 8-2
19 Oklahoma State 7-2
20 Wisconsin 7-2
21 Virginia Tech 6-3
22 Brigham Young 7-2
23 Oregon State 6-3
24 South Florida 6-2
25 West Virginia 7-2
Posted November 9th, 2009 by Michael Santo
