The 2011 season has ended, and it seems like most people are saying, "Good riddance, this season was full of (BW)." Let us not forget, Bronco fans, that even though BSU could have accomplished so much more in a just world, they still produced 12 wins and have averaged MORE than 12 per year since Chris Petersen has been head coach. We as a fanbase are spoiled rotten, and we cannot forget that what BSU has done in its 15 years as a I-A/FBS school is not supposed to happen in college football. It is literally unprecedented. I hope we've all learned to appreciate these good times for Bronco football. Plus, as anyone in the football program would tell you, we wouldn't be lamenting what could have been had BSU taken care of business against TCU. OK, enough babbling.

I took a real long time to write this post because I was researching a concept I made up, which I call "complete performances." This concept is a reflection on a team's ability to play offense and defense well. (I realize "complete performances" is a misnomer, since it doesn't take special teams into account, but I couldn't think of a better term.) Basically, if your team's defense holds an opponent's offense below their season average in points AND yards, and your offense exceeds the opposing defense's average in points AND yards allowed, that is a complete performance

I was curious to see how the top teams did in this category, and much number-crunching ensued.

Keep in mind, a complete performance does not imply a dominating win, or even any kind of win. Stanford had a complete performance against Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl and lost. On the other hand, you can have a dominating win without a complete performance. USC beat UCLA 50-0, but allowed the Bruins' offense to surpass their season average in yards gained. Still, I feel that a lot of people give strength-of-schedule too much weight when ranking teams, since teams cannot help which teams they must play, and "complete performances" gives us a good idea of how well a given team plays with the schedule they face.

Here are the top 12 teams in the FBS, with some simple points of comparison. This list covers both AP and Coaches' Poll top 10s. OOC stands for out-of-conference. ~ denotes a win over an FCS school.

Alabama (BCS champ)

Record and final rankings: 12-1, #1 AP, #1 Coaches

Opponents lost to: LSU

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 89-65 (.578), ooc~ 30-21 (.588)

Notable wins: Arkansas, LSU (BCS CG)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7~

OFFENSE: 34.8 ppg (20th), 429.6 ypg (31st)

DEFENSE: 8.2 ppg (1st), 183.6 ypg (1st)

Complete performances: 11 of 13

LSU (SEC champ)

Record and final rankings: 13-1, #2 AP, #2 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Alabama (BCS CG)

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 101-64 (.612), ooc 34-16 (.680)

Notable wins: Oregon, W. Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia (conf. CG)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 9

OFFENSE: 35.7 ppg (17th), 355.1 ypg (86th)

DEFENSE: 11.3 ppg (2nd), 261.5 ypg (2nd)

Complete performances: 7 of 14

Oklahoma State (B12/Fiesta Bowl champ)

Record and final rankings: 12-1, #3 AP, #3 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Iowa St.

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 92-61 (.601), ooc 32-19 (.627)

Notable wins: Baylor, Kansas St., Oklahoma, Stanford (Fiesta)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 9

OFFENSE: 48.7 ppg (2nd), 545.8 ypg (3rd)

DEFENSE: 26.8 ppg (t-61st), 456.8 ypg (107th)

Complete performances: 6 of 13

Oregon (P12/Rose Bowl champ)

Record and final rankings: 12-2, #4 AP, #4 Coaches

Opponents lost to: LSU, USC

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 71-72 (.497), ooc~ 20-18 (.526)

Notable wins: Stanford, UCLA (conf. CG), Wisconsin (Rose)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 6

OFFENSE: 46.1 ppg (3rd), 522.8 ypg (4th)

DEFENSE: 24.6 ppg (52nd), 390.1 ypg (67th)

Complete performances: 4 of 14

Arkansas (Cotton Bowl champ)

Record and final rankings: 11-2, #5 AP, #5 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Alabama, LSU

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 62-75 (.453), ooc~ 23-38 (.377)

Notable wins: S. Carolina, Kansas St. (Cotton)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5

OFFENSE: 36.8 ppg (15th), 438.1 ypg (29th)

DEFENSE: 22.2 ppg (t-33rd), 362.8 ypg (47th)

Complete performances: 3 of 13

USC

Record and final ranking: 10-2, #6 AP

Opponents lost to: Arizona St., Stanford

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 63-66 (.488), ooc 16-21 (.432)

Notable wins: Oregon

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5

OFFENSE: 35.8 ppg (16th), 456.8 ypg (21st)

DEFENSE: 23.6 ppg (45th), 374.8 ypg (54th)

Complete performances: 3 of 12

Stanford

Record and final rankings: 11-2, #7 AP, #7 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Oregon, Oklahoma St.

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 54-78 (.409), ooc 16-21 (.432)

Notable wins: USC

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4

OFFENSE: 43.2 ppg (7th), 489.3 ypg (8th)

DEFENSE: 21.9 ppg (30th), 341.6 ypg (28th)

Complete performances: 9 of 13

BSU (Las Vegas Bowl champ)

Record and final rankings: 12-1, #8 AP, #6 Coaches

Opponents lost to: TCU

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 73-81 (.474), ooc 44-35 (.557)

Notable wins: Georgia, Arizona St. (Las Vegas)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7

OFFENSE: 44.2 ppg (5th), 481.3 ypg (t-9th)

DEFENSE: 18.7 ppg (12th), 320.8 ypg (16th)

Complete performances: 9 of 13

S. Carolina (Capital One Bowl champ)

Record and final rankings: 11-2, #9 AP, #8 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Auburn, Arkansas

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 73-66 (.525), ooc~ 33-29 (.532)

Notable wins: Georgia, Clemson, Nebraska (Cap One)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5

OFFENSE: 30.1 ppg (t-42nd), 373.5 ypg (74th)

DEFENSE: 18.4 ppg (11th), 267.7 ypg (3rd)

Complete performances: 4 of 13

Wisconsin (B10 champ)

Record and final rankings: 11-3, #10 AP, #11 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Michigan St., Ohio St., Oregon

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 69-70 (.496), ooc~ 22-27 (.449)

Notable wins: N. Illinois, Nebraska, Michigan St. (conf. CG)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7~

OFFENSE: 44.1 ppg (6th), 469.9 ypg (14th)

DEFENSE: 19 ppg (13th), 316.3 ypg (15th)

Complete performances: 7 of 14

Michigan St. (Outback Bowl champ)

Record and final rankings: 11-3, #11 AP, #10 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Notre Dame, Nebraska, Wisconsin

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 65-74 (.468), ooc~ 20-29 (.408)

Notable wins: Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia (Outback)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5~

OFFENSE: 31 ppg (37th), 390.4 ypg (56th)

DEFENSE: 18.4 ppg (10th), 277.4 ypg (6th)

Complete performances: 9 of 14

Michigan (Sugar Bowl champ)

Record and final rankings: 11-2, #12 AP, #9 Coaches

Opponents lost to: Michigan St., Iowa

Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 78-64 (.549), ooc 40-25 (.615 pct.)

Notable wins: Nebraska, Virginia Tech (Sugar)

Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7

OFFENSE: 33.3 ppg (t-26th), 404.7 (42nd)

DEFENSE: 17.4 ppg (6th), 322.2 ypg (17th)

Complete performances: 6 of 13

Today is the day. I don't envy the voters who must decide who qualifies for a BCS bid. The responsibility is huge. Hopefully they take it seriously, unlike, say, Craig James, who treats his AP vote like he's gumming on a baby toy. Here are profiles for 16 teams who have either already earned a BCS bid or are under consideration for one. I left a few teams out. You can probably figure out who and why. I type this not knowing if some of the teams will qualify for a bid when tonight's standings are released. We'll find out soon.

~Includes win over an FCS school.

TEAMS WHO HAVE ALREADY EARNED A BCS BID

Clemson (ACC champ)
Record: 10-3
Week 14 BCS rank: #20
Opponents lost to: Georgia Tech, NC St., S. Carolina
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 56-53 (.513 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 18-18 (.500 pct.), lost to S. Carolina
Notable wins: Florida St., Virginia Tech (twice, including conf. CG)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 6~

LSU (SEC champ)
Record: 13-0
Week 14 BCS rank: #1
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 94-63 (.599 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 32-16 (.667 pct.)
Notable wins: Oregon, W. Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia (conf. CG)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7

Oklahoma State (Big 12 champ)
Record: 11-1
Week 14 BCS rank: #3
Opponents lost to: Iowa St.
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 75-57 (.568 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 20-16 (.556 pct.)
Notable wins: Baylor, Kansas St., Oklahoma
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7

Oregon (PAC-12 champ)
Record: 11-2
Week 14 BCS rank: #9
Opponents lost to: LSU, USC
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 60-73 (.451 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 9-14 (.391 pct.), lost to LSU
Notable wins: Stanford, UCLA (conf. CG)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4

Wisconsin (Big 10 champ)
Record: 11-2
Week 14 BCS rank: #15
Opponents lost to: Michigan St., Ohio St.
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 65-68 (.489 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 21-27 (.438 pct.), lost to LSU
Notable wins: N. Illinois (MAC champ), Nebraska, Penn St., Michigan St. (conf. CG)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5~

TEAMS THAT MAY EARN AN AUTOMATIC BCS BID

TCU (MWC champ)
Record: 10-2
Week 14 BCS rank: #18
Opponents lost to: Baylor, SMU
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 60-59 (.504 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 20-15 ( 571 pct.), lost to Baylor, SMU
Notable wins: BSU
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 6

West Virginia (Big East co-champ)
Record: 9-3
Week 14 BCS rank: #23
Opponents lost to: LSU, Syracuse, Louisville
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 55-53 (.509 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 22-26 (.458 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 3

TEAMS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR AN AT-LARGE BCS BID

Alabama
Record: 11-1
Week 14 BCS rank: #2
Opponents lost to: LSU
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 71-61 (.538 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 29-19 (.604 pct.)
Notable wins: Penn St., Arkansas
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4

Baylor
Record: 9-3
Week 14 BCS rank: #17
Opponents lost to: Kansas St., Texas A&M, Oklahoma St.
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 56-51 (.523 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 20-15 (.571 pct.)
Notable wins: TCU (MWC champ), Oklahoma
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5~

Boise State
Record: 11-1
Week 14 BCS rank: #7
Opponents lost to: TCU
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 66-68 (.493 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 37-25 (.597 pct.)
Notable wins: Georgia
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7

Kansas State
Record: 10-2
Week 14 BCS rank: #11
Opponents lost to: Oklahoma, Oklahoma St.
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 60-60 (.500 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 18-18 (.500 pct.)
Notable wins: Baylor
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4~

Michigan
Record: 10-2
Week 14 BCS rank: #16
Opponents lost to: Michigan St., Iowa
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 65-55 (.542 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 29-19 (.604 pct.)
Notable wins: Nebraska
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4

Michigan State
Record: 10-3
Week 14 BCS rank: #13
Opponents lost to: Notre Dame, Nebraska, Wisconsin (conf. CG)
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 54-66 (.450 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 18-29 (.286 pct.), lost to Notre Dame
Notable wins: Michigan, Wisconsin
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5~

Oklahoma
Record: 9-3
Week 14 BCS rank: #10
Opponents lost to: Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma St.
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 58-48 (.547 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 22-14 (.611 pct.)
Notable wins: Florida St., Kansas St.
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5

Stanford
Record: 11-1
Week 14 BCS rank: #4
Opponents lost to: Oregon
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 60-74 (.448 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 16-20 (.444 pct.)
Notable wins: USC
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4

Virginia Tech
Record: 11-2
Week 14 BCS rank: #5
Opponents lost to: Clemson (twice including conf. CG)
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 71-61 (.538 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 29-19 (.604 pct.)
Notable wins: Arkansas St. (Sun Belt champ)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5~

Week 13 did not go well in terms of BCS chaos that would benefit the Broncos. Arkansas was unable to defeat LSU, but everyone else in the BCS top 10 (aside from Oklahoma State, who didn't play) won comfortably. Furthermore, enough teams are on the bubble of qualifying for an at-large bid that BSU's chances are vanishingly slim. Nevertheless, it's not over until next week. One thing that would help is for Houston to drop the C-USA championship game to Southern Miss (the first ranked team they will face this season). So let's start there and see how this cookie crumbles.

Now that the regular season has wrapped up for a few teams, I thought it was time to add another measure of a team's quality to the profiles below: number of wins against teams with winning records. That's right, teams that are better than .500, not at .500. (There are quite a few 6-6 teams out there.) Here's a fun fact: did you know that Boise State has more wins against teams with winning records than anyone in the top 10, even LSU? That could change next weekend, of course, but I find this highly interesting. Here are your BCS top 10 teams:

*Teams currently unranked in AP poll.
^Oklahoma State defeated Baylor, who is currently ranked, but was not at the time.
~Includes win over an FCS school.

1. LSU
Record: 12-0
Ranking: #1 AP, #1 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 82-60 (.577 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 30-16 (.652 pct)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 6
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #3 Oregon, #23 Miss St.*, #16 W Virginia, #17 Florida*, #19 Auburn*, #2 Alabama, #3 Arkansas
Next opponent: #12 Georgia (SEC CG)

2. Alabama
Record: 11-1 (lost to #1 LSU)
Ranking: #2 AP, #2 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 69-61 (.531 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 27-19 (.587 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4~
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #23 Penn St., #14 Arkansas, #12 Florida*
Next opponent: TBD (bowl)

3. Oklahoma State
Record: 10-1 (lost to Iowa State)
Ranking: #3 AP, #5 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 64-53 (.547 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 20-16 (.556 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 6
Wins over AP-ranked teams^: #8 Texas A&M*, #22 Texas*, #17 Kansas St.
Next opponent: #13 Oklahoma

4. Stanford
Record: 11-1 (lost to #6 Oregon)
Ranking: #4 AP, #4 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 60-73 (.451 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 16-20 (.444 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #22 Washington*, #20 USC, #22 Notre Dame*
Next opponent: TBD (bowl)

5. Virginia Tech
Record: 11-1 (lost to #13 Clemson)
Ranking: #5 AP, #3 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 70-60 (.538 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 28-18 (.609 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 5~
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #20 Georgia Tech*, #24 Virginia*
Next opponent: #21 Clemson (ACC CG)

6. Houston
Record: 12-0
Ranking: #7 AP, #6 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 61-82 (.427 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 21-25 (.457 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 3
Wins over AP-ranked teams: none
Next opponent: #24 Southern Miss (CUSA CG)

7. Boise State
Record: 10-1 (lost to TCU)
Ranking: #9 AP, #8 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 62-53 (.539 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 36-23 (.610 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 7
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #19 Georgia
Next opponent: New Mexico

8. Arkansas
Record: 10-2 (lost to #3 Alabama, #1 LSU)
Ranking: #6 AP, #10 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated: 48-69 (.410 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 12-33 (.267 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 2
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #14 Texas A&M*, #15 Auburn*, #10 S. Carolina
Next opponent: TBD (bowl)

9. Oregon
Record: 10-2 (lost to #4 LSU, #18 USC)
Ranking: #8 AP, #7 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 53-66 (.445 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 8-14 (.364 pct.), lost to LSU
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 4
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #18 Arizona St.*, #3 Stanford
Next opponent: UCLA (PAC12 CG)

10. Oklahoma
Record: 9-2 (lost to Texas Tech, #25 Baylor)
Ranking: #13 AP, #11 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 59-46 (.562 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 22-14 (.611 pct.)
Number of wins against teams with winning records: 6
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #5 Florida St., #11 Texas*, #10 Kansas St.
Next opponent: #3 Oklahoma State

Well, that was a weekend for the ages. 4 of the BCS top 10 teams took a loss, although, as you'll see below, only one dropped out of the top 10. That would be Clemson, which is understandable given their ugly loss to NC State. Meanwhile, Oklahoma and Oregon took their 2nd losses, while Oklahoma State pooped the bed against an unranked team and are no longer undefeated. All of this, of course, has left Bronco fans shaking their heads at what might have been had BSU pulled out the win over TCU. But as things stand now, there is still hope for BSU to receive an at-large invitation to the BCS. There are two weeks left and more opportunities for chaos. Let's see what happens!

I tweaked my opponents' W-L statistics a little bit for this week. Instead of measuring the W-L record of all opponents a team has played, including those to which said team lost, I am only measuring the record of the opponents a team has beaten. I saw Mark Schlabach do this and I realized it was a more accurate measure of what kind of opponents a team is beating, as opposed to just playing. Also I decided to add the W-L record of a team's out-of-conference opponents. As we all know, conference games have a much different feel, and more potential for unlikely upsets, than out-of-conference games. Who you play against and how you perform outside your conference says a lot about the quality of your team. Certainly we Bronco fans have had that point hammered into our skulls over the years. Anyway, here's the top 10 BCS teams for week 13. Let's see how they compare.

*Teams currently unranked in AP poll.
^Oklahoma State defeated Baylor, who is currently ranked, but was not at the time.

1. LSU
Record: 11-0
Ranking: #1 AP, #1 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 66-54 (.550 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 27-16 (.628 pct)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #3 Oregon, #23 Miss St.*, #16 W Virginia*, #17 Florida*, #19 Auburn*, #2 Alabama
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #3 Arkansas
Next opponent: #3 Arkansas

2. Alabama
Record: 10-1 (lost to #1 LSU)
Ranking: #2 AP, #2 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 60-50 (.545 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 27-17 (.614 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #23 Penn St., #14 Arkansas, #12 Florida*
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: Auburn

3. Arkansas
Record: 10-1 (lost to #3 Alabama)
Ranking: #3 AP, #3 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 45-64 (.413 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 12-31 (.279 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #14 Texas A&M*, #15 Auburn*, #10 S. Carolina
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #1 LSU
Next opponent: #1 LSU

4. Oklahoma State
Record: 10-1 (lost to Iowa State)
Ranking: #5 AP, #6 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 60-48 (.556 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 19-14 (.576 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams^: #8 Texas A&M*, #22 Texas*, #17 Kansas St.
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #12 Oklahoma
Next opponent: #12 Oklahoma

5. Virginia Tech
Record: 10-1 (lost to #13 Clemson)
Ranking: #6 AP, #4 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 59-51 (.536 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 27-17 (.614 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #20 Georgia Tech
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #24 Virginia
Next opponent: #24 Virginia

6. Stanford
Record: 10-1 (lost to #6 Oregon)
Ranking: #4 AP, #5 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 46-65 (.414 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 7-15 (318 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #22 Washington*, #20 USC
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #22 Notre Dame
Next opponent: #22 Notre Dame

7. Boise State
Record: 9-1 (lost to TCU)
Ranking: #7 AP, #8 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 51-44 (.537 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 34-20 (.630 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #19 Georgia
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: Wyoming

8. Houston
Record: 11-0
Ranking: #8 AP, #7 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 50-72 (.410 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 20-24 (.455 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: none
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: Tulsa

9. Oklahoma
Record: 8-2 (lost to Texas Tech, #25 Baylor)
Ranking: #12 AP, #11 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 50-37 (.575 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 21-12 (.636 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #5 Florida St.*, #11 Texas*, #10 Kansas St.
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #5 Oklahoma St.
Next opponent: Iowa State

10. Oregon
Record: 9-2 (lost to #4 LSU, #18 USC)
Ranking: #9 AP, #9 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams defeated so far: 45-54 (.455 pct.)
Combined record of o.o.c. opponents defeated: 8-13 (.381 pct.), lost to LSU
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #18 Arizona St.*, #3 Stanford
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: Oregon State

I didn't want to continue with the BCS Watch after BSU lost this weekend. But later on I changed my mind and decided I might as well commit to it through the end of the season. Then the BCS standings were released and, by Jove, BSU is still a top 10 team. We should know better than to get our hopes up, but the possibility remains that the Broncos can receive an at-large invitation to a BCS bowl. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out, shall we? With that thought in mind, here's a look at the top 11 teams (since Houston continues to be undefeated and hold steady at #11), with a few simple points of comparison.

*Teams currently unranked in AP poll.

1. LSU
Record: 10-0
Ranking: #1 AP, #1 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 59-41 (.590 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #3 Oregon, #23 Miss St.*, #16 W Virginia*, #17 Florida*, #19 Auburn*, #2 Alabama
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #6 Arkansas
Next opponent: Ole Miss

2. Oklahoma State
Record: 10-0
Ranking: #2 AP, #2 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 54-45 (.545 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #8 Texas A&M*, #22 Texas*, #17 Kansas St.
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #5 Oklahoma
Next opponent: Iowa State

3. Alabama
Record: 9-1 (lost to #1 LSU)
Ranking: #3 AP, #3 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 56-44 (.560 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #23 Penn St., #14 Arkansas, #12 Florida*
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: Georgia Southern

4. Oregon
Record: 9-1 (lost to #4 LSU)
Ranking: #4 AP, #4 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 52-48 (.520 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #18 Arizona St.*, #3 Stanford
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #18 USC
Next opponent: #18 USC

5. Oklahoma
Record: 8-1 (lost to Texas Tech)
Ranking: #5 AP, #5 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 51-38 (.573 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #5 Florida St.*, #11 Texas*, #10 Kansas St.
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #25 Baylor, #2 Oklahoma St.
Next opponent: #25 Baylor

6. Arkansas
Record: 9-1 (lost to #3 Alabama)
Ranking: #6 AP, #6 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 43-56 (.434 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #14 Texas A&M*, #15 Auburn*, #10 S. Carolina
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #1 LSU
Next opponent: Mississippi State

7. Clemson
Record: 9-1 (lost to Georgia Tech)
Ranking: #7 AP, #8 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 54-45 (.545 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #21 Auburn*, #11 Florida St.*, #11 Virginia Tech
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #14 S. Carolina
Next opponent: North Carolina State

8. Virginia Tech
Record: 9-1 (lost to #13 Clemson)
Ranking: #9 AP, #7 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 55-45 (.550 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #20 Georgia Tech*
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: North Carolina

9. Stanford
Record: 9-1 (lost to #6 Oregon)
Ranking: #8 AP, #9 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 44-57 (.436 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #22 Washington*, #20 USC
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #24 Notre Dame
Next opponent: California

10. Boise State
Record: 8-1 (lost to TCU)
Ranking: #10 AP, #11 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 48-39 (.552 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #19 Georgia
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: San Diego State

11. Houston
Record: 10-0
Ranking: #11 AP, #10 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 37-64 (.366 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: none
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: SMU

Alabama has lost the Game Of The Century to LSU. I didn't know touchdowns weren't allowed in Games Of The Century, but there you have it. Not that you would think anyone actually lost the game, judging by this week's BCS standings. Our boys in blue continue to stare up at the boys in crimson, among other teams. Now that a one-loss team is ranked ahead of undefeated BSU, and the threat of more one-loss teams jumping the Broncos remains, I'll switch my focus from strictly undefeated teams to teams in the BCS top 10. (Although, with Houston still undefeated and coming in at #11, we'll look at the top 11 this week.) So here are the top teams in the BCS standings, along with a few simple points of comparison.

*Teams currently unranked in AP poll.

1. LSU
Record: 9-0
Ranking: #1 AP, #1 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 51-30 (.630 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #3 Oregon, #23 Miss St.*, #16 W Virginia*, #17 Florida*, #19 Auburn, #2 Alabama
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #8 Arkansas
Next opponent: Western Kentucky

2. Oklahoma State
Record: 9-0
Ranking: #2 AP, #3 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 45-35 (.563 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #8 Texas A&M*, #22 Texas, #17 Kansas St.
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #7 Oklahoma
Next opponent: Texas Tech

3. Alabama
Record: 8-1 (lost to #1 LSU)
Ranking: #4 AP, #4 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 46-35 (.568 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #23 Penn St., #14 Arkansas, #12 Florida*
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #24 Auburn
Next opponent: Mississippi St.

4. Stanford
Record: 9-0
Ranking: #3 AP, #2 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 32-50 (.390 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #22 Washington*, #20 USC
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #6 Oregon
Next opponent: #6 Oregon

5. Boise State
Record: 8-0
Ranking: #5 AP, #5 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 36-33 (.522 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #19 Georgia
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none (although TCU is ranked in the coaches' poll)
Next opponent: TCU

6. Oklahoma
Record: 8-1 (lost to Texas Tech)
Ranking: #7 AP, #7 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 47-34 (.580 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #5 Florida St.*, #11 Texas, #10 Kansas St.
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #2 Oklahoma St.
Next opponent: Baylor

7. Oregon
Record: 8-1 (lost to #4 LSU)
Ranking: #6 AP, #6 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 38-43 (.469 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #18 Arizona St.*
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #3 Stanford, #18 USC
Next opponent: #3 Stanford

8. Arkansas
Record: 8-1 (lost to #3 Alabama)
Ranking: #8 AP, #8 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 35-45 (.438 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #14 Texas A&M*, #15 Auburn, #10 S. Carolina
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #1 LSU
Next opponent: Tennessee

9. Clemson
Record: 8-1 (lost to Georgia Tech)
Ranking: #9 AP, #10 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 46-35 (.568 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: #21 Auburn, #11 Florida St.*, #11 Virginia Tech
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #15 S. Carolina
Next opponent: Wake Forest

10. Virginia Tech
Record: 8-1 (lost to #13 Clemson)
Ranking: #10 AP, #9 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 44-37 (.543 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: none
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: #20 Georgia Tech
Next opponent: #20 Georgia Tech

11. Houston
Record: 9-0
Ranking: #11 AP, #11 Coaches
Combined record of opposing teams played so far: 31-50 (.383 pct.)
Wins over AP-ranked teams: none
Remaining AP-ranked teams on schedule: none
Next opponent: Tulane

In Week 9, Clemson and Kansas State did us all a big favor and took their first L of the season. USC came this close to taking down Stanford, but alas, the Cardinal prevailed and subsequently took a nice little hop over our beloved Broncos in the BCS. LAME. Anyway, we are now down to six undefeated teams in FBS play, and, as we all know, the fewer undefeated teams, the less remote the chance of an undefeated BSU making the BCS title game. In the coming weeks I will start looking at some one-loss teams that are creeping up on the Broncos. But for now, here are the six undefeated teams, along with a few simple points of comparison.

TEAM - W; A/C/B; OWL; RW; RO; NEXT; REM

LSU - 8; 1/1/1; 38-27; 5; 5; #2 Alabama; Ala., Ark.

BSU - 7; 5/5/5; 31-25; 1; 1; UNLV; n/a

Oklahoma St. - 8; 3/4/3; 34-29; 2; 2; #17 Kansas St.; Kan St., Okla.

Alabama - 8; 2/2/2; 33-33; 3; 4; #1 LSU; LSU, Aub.

Stanford - 8; 4/3/4; 28-37; 2; 2; Oregon St.; Ore.

Houston - 8; 14/14/13; 27-39; 0; 0; UAB; n/a

W - number of wins

A/C/B - AP/coaches' poll/BCS rankings

OWL - combined win-loss record of opponents played so far

RW - number of wins over opponents ranked at the time (AP)

RO - number of opponents on this season's schedule that are currently ranked (AP)

NEXT - next opponent

REM - remaining opponents currently ranked (AP)

NEXT WEEKEND

LSU will visit Alabama on Nov. 5, so one more undefeated team will go down for certain. Also of note, South Carolina will visit Arkansas. They are ranked #9 and #7 in the BCS, respectively, so the winner of that game ought to make a good move in the standings.

Thanks to our new best friends (Michigan St. and Texas Tech, respectively), Wisconsin and Oklahoma have bid farewell to the undefeated club. That leaves eight undefeated teams in FBS. And, as we all know, the fewer undefeated teams, the less remote the chance of an undefeated BSU making the BCS title game. Here are the eight left standing, along with a few simple points of comparison.

Apologies for the disorderliness of the table, the FanPost editor seems to have forgotten how spacebars work.

TEAM - W; A/C/B; OWL; RW; RO; NEXT; REM

LSU - 8; 1/1/1; 33-24; 5; 4; #2 Alabama; Ala., Ark.

Clemson - 8; 6/6/5; 31-27; 3; 2; Georgia Tech; S Car.

Oklahoma St. - 7; 3/4/3; 26-23; 2; 4; Baylor; Kan St., TX Tech, Okla.

Boise St. - 7; 5/5/4; 27-24; 1; 1; UNLV; N/A

Alabama - 8; 2/2/2; 31-28; 3; 3; #1 LSU; LSU

Kansas St. - 7; 10/12/8; 23-25; 1; 4; #11 Oklahoma; Okla., Okla St., TA&M

Houston - 7; 18/18/17; 21-30; 0; 0; Rice; N/A

Stanford - 7; 4/3/6; 20-30; 1; 2; #20 USC; USC, Ore.

W - number of wins

A/C/B - AP/coaches' poll/BCS rankings

OWL - combined win-loss record of opponents played so far

RW - number of wins over opponents ranked at the time (AP)

RO - number of opponents on this season's schedule that are currently ranked (AP)

NEXT - next opponent

REM - remaining opponents currently ranked (AP)

UPCOMING GAMES BETWEEN CURRENTLY UNDEFEATED TEAMS:

LSU @ Alabama Nov. 5

Kansas St. @ Oklahoma St. Nov. 5

Welp, we lost three undefeated teams over the weekend, as Georgia Tech, Michigan and Illinois all suffered their first big 'L' this season. That leaves ten undefeated teams in the FBS. And, as we all know, the fewer undefeated teams, the less remote the chance of an undefeated BSU making the BCS title game. Here are the ten left standing, along with a few simple points of comparison.

TEAM                  W    A/C/B        OWL    RW    RO    NEXT                 REM
LSU                     7    1/2/1          26-19      4       5    #19 Auburn        Aub., Ala., Ark.
Clemson              7    8/8/7          24-20      3       4    N. Carolina        GA Tech, S Car.
Oklahoma St.      6    6/6/4          20-17      2       3    Missouri             Kan St., Okla.
Boise St.             6    5/7/5          21-18      1       1    Air Force             --------
Oklahoma           6    3/1/3          19-18      2       3    Texas Tech        Kan St., TA&M, Okla St.
Alabama              7    2/3/2          23-23      3       3    Tennessee        LSU, Aub.
Kansas St.          6    12/16/11     18-19      1       3    Kansas              Okla., Okla St., TA&M
Wisconsin           6    4/4/6          16-23      1       3    #15 Michigan St.   Mich St., Ill.
Stanford              6    7/5/8          14-24      0       2    #22 Washington     Wash., Ore.
Houston              6    21/20/19     13-24      0       0    Marshall                --------

W - number of wins
A/C/B - AP/coaches' poll/BCS rankings
OWL - combined win-loss record of opponents played so far
RW - number of wins over opponents ranked at the time (AP)
RO - number of opponents on this season's schedule that are currently ranked (AP)
NEXT - next opponent
REM - remaining opponents currently ranked

UPCOMING GAMES BETWEEN CURRENTLY UNDEFEATED TEAMS:
Oklahoma @ Kansas St. Oct. 29
LSU @ Alabama Nov. 5
Kansas St. @ Oklahoma St. Nov. 5
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma St. Dec. 3

As we all know, the fewer undefeated teams there are in FBS, the less remote the chance of an undefeated BSU making the BCS title game. Currently there are 13 undefeated teams. Here is a list of those teams, along with a few simple points of comparison. Obviously this isn't meant to be an in-depth analysis determining which team is better than another. I acknowledge the coaches poll in one column, but all other references to ranked teams use the AP poll.

TEAM                 W    AP/C      OWL    RW    RO    NEXT                      REM
LSU                    6      1/2       21-14     4        5     Tennessee               Aub., Ala., Ark.
Alabama              6      2/3      20-15     3        3     Ole Miss                   LSU, Aub.
Clemson             6      8/8       18-15     3        4     Maryland                  GA Tech, S Car.
Illinois                  6    16/15    18-17     1        3     Ohio St.                    Mich., Wis.
Michigan              6    11/10    17-17     0        3     #23 Michigan St.      Mich St., Ill., Neb.
Wisconsin           5      4/4       14-14     1        3     Indiana                    Mich St., Ill.
Oklahoma            5      3/1      13-13     2        5     Kansas                    Kan St., TA&M, Bay., Okla St.
Oklahoma St.      5      6/7       13-14     1        5     #22 Texas               Tex., Bay., Kan St., Okla.
Boise St.            5      5/6       13-15     1        0     Colorado St.            --------
Georgia Tech      6     12/12     14-18     0        2     Virginia                    Clem., VT
Kansas St.         5     17/18     11-15     1        5     Texas Tech              Okla., Okla St., TA&M, Tex.
Stanford              5      7/5       10-19     0        1     Washington St.        Oregon
Houston             6     25/22     11-22     0        0     Marshall                   --------

W - number of wins
AP/C - AP ranking/coaches' poll ranking
OWL - combined win-loss record of opponents played so far
RW - number of wins over opponents ranked at the time
RO - number of opponents on this season's schedule that are currently ranked
NEXT - next opponent
REM - remaining opponents currently ranked

UPCOMING GAMES BETWEEN CURRENTLY UNDEFEATED TEAMS:
Clemson @ Georgia Tech Oct. 29
Oklahoma @ Kansas St. Oct. 29
LSU @ Alabama Nov. 5
Michigan @ Illinois Nov. 12
Wisconsin @ Illinois Nov. 19
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma St. Dec. 3

And now for something a little less serious than national championship debate or the NCAA breathing down Boise State's neck.

In my dream last night, I watched Boise State play a football game on the road...against the University of Antarctica. That's right, Antarctica, a land mass that has no university, let alone a permanent population. But such is the magic of dreams. It was a typical football field. There was no stadium, just bleachers, very sparsely populated, of course. I watched BSU mysteriously go three-and-out, and give the ball to U of A. The Fighting...Penguins, or whatever, marched down the field near the goal line, and eventually kicked a field goal. Shocked and excited by their good fortune, U of A tried an onside kick. A Bronco recovered it and actually managed a decent return, setting up a very satisfyingly short field. At that point, my brain concluded that BSU would win the game and my unconscious mind moved on to other things. But I did notice, just before I left Antarctica, that the field was surrounded by dark, barren icy landscape. When I woke up, I reflected on how silly a place this would be for a football game, and I started thinking.

Let's say that a television network was absolutely desperate to broadcast an event that would produce high ratings. Let's then say that they decided a football game played in Antarctica would somehow accomplish their goals. And they have put you in charge of making it happen. Money is no object, they tell you, just make it happen. What kind of issues would you have to consider? I have started a list.

• How would you build the field?
  
• Would you construct a small stadium around the field?
• How many fans can you expect to make the trip?
• How do you get teams and fans to Antarctica? There are actually cruise ships that will take you there. I have a friend who has done this.
• What would the players wear? Certainly something a little warmer than standard uniforms. Nike Pro Combat parkas, perhaps?
• When is the best time to schedule this game? Towards the end of the season, early December-ish, Antarctica approaches the summer solstice and peak sunlight hours. The temperature tops out in the 40-50 degree range.
• What do you call this game? (The 'Dairy Queen Classic,' anyone?)

Any issues you can add to the list? Let's hear 'em! Go Broncos.

BSU's 2011 schedule features no less than 8 teams that are competing in bowls to close the 2010 season. I've listed all the bowls below and will try to keep the list updated as they play out.

Humanitarian Bowl 12/18
Fresno St. vs. Northern Illinois L 17-40

Poinsettia Bowl 12/23
San Diego St. vs. Navy W 35-14

Hawaii Bowl 12/24
Tulsa vs. Hawaii W 62-35

Little Caesars Bowl 12/26
Toledo vs. Florida Int'l. L 32-34

Independence Bowl 12/27
Air Force vs. Georgia Tech W 14-7

Liberty Bowl 12/31
Georgia vs. Central Florida L 6-10

Rose Bowl 1/1
TCU vs. Wisconsin

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl 1/9
Nevada vs. Boston College

Notice Nevada (the team that ruined BSU's Rose Bowl hopes) and TCU (the team that shouldn't be in the Rose Bowl because BSU should be there). As much as I'd like to see them get rolled, it's important that they do well along with the other teams. BSU won't be starting next season as high in the polls as they did in 2010, and need all the help they can get with their perceived strength of schedule. Go Broncos' opponents!

So. Boise State has lost a game after almost two years of not losing games. It was bound to happen at some point. Any team is capable of lapsing and losing a game they have no business losing. It happens.

Since the Poinsettia Bowl loss, we have seen Bronco Nation grow exponentially. It has been awesome to see, but I have always been disquieted by the possibility that a large portion of Bronco Nation is only here to hitch a ride on the bandwagon powered by the little mid-major team that never loses, and could defy the odds and win a national title. I have been waiting for this to happen. This is a test to see if Bronco Nation is for real.

If you are only here to support a consistently winning football program, I invite you to exeunt the battlefield (ref. "Role Models") and go hitch your wagon to TCU or Auburn or whoever.

I am a fan of Boise State football. I have been since childhood, and their loss to Nevada doesn't change the fact that Boise State runs a first-class innovative football program I am proud to support. And I always will support Boise State. I will be there for these last two games of the year. I will be there next year when BSU starts all over from the bottom of the mountain. I will be there as long as BSU runs a football program with ingenuity, character and integrity.

My question to you is: are you in??