As college football reaches its climax, it’s important to remember that nothing is set in stone. Until the final BCS rankings hit the shelves on Dec. 9, no one is safe.
Yes, Alabama and Florida State are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, but as long as there are still games left on the schedule, no one should be making travel plans to Pasadena for the 2014 BCS National Championship game.
Simply look to the history books to find out just how volatile the top two spots actually are. Just last year, three teams entered Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 undefeated.
It was a lock that Oregon and Kansas State would play for the national title. Alabama had already lost to Texas A&M. But late that night, Oregon lost to Stanford in overtime while simultaneously, Kansas State watched their title hopes disappear to Baylor. Just like that, the top two teams had lost and the National Championship eventually went to Alabama.
Think last year was a fluke? Think again. In 2011, Oklahoma State was marching its way to an undefeated season and a berth in the BCS National Title game but Nov. 18, the Cowboys lost in a double-overtime thriller to Iowa State. A colossal upset, which once again allowed Alabama to sneak back into the National Title game.
Let’s keep going. On Nov. 26, 2010 and undefeated No. 4 Boise State lost in overtime to Nevada. Two blown field goals cost the game for the Broncos. Nevada was led by some kid named Colin Kaepernick, who knew.
Think teams are a lock to win their conference title game? Not so fast. In 2009 an undefeated Texas team took on Nebraska in the Big 12 championship. At first, the official ruling on the field said that Nebraska had won the game 12-10. However upon further review, there was one second left on the clock, Texas kicked a game winning field goal to clinch a berth in the championship game.
2007 might be the best way to show just how likely a shake-up can occur in the back half of November. On Nov. 23, 2007 No. 1 LSU lost in triple overtime to an Arkansas team led by Darren McFadden. Only 24 hours later, No. 2 Kansas lost to Missouri. The next week, then, No. 1 Missouri lost the Big 12 title game to Oklahoma, and the newly appointed No. 2 West Virginia Mountaineers, lost in a huge upset to unranked Pittsburgh. This shake-up allowed number 5 Ohio State to vault all the way to the No. 1 ranking.
Year after year the last game or two of the season has sent BCS title hopes up in ruin. Let the history go as a warning for Alabama and Florida State. The Seminoles still have a tricky game at Florida, as well as an ACC Championship game. Alabama still has to play the Iron Bowl against No. 6 Auburn, as well as an SEC Championship game against what should be No. 8 Missouri.
College Football reigns supreme because every week matters. With important games remaining for both teams, no one is safe. The history tells us that it’s almost unlikely to think that Alabama and Florida State will play for the national title. Don’t be surprised when chaos strikes in the next few weeks.
Who do you think will play in this season’s BCS National Championship game? Email gsatterfield@wisc.edu your thoughts.
