Jayhawks need help to move up BCS rankings

Losses by Ohio State, LSU, or Oregon would greatly improve team’s chances

By Asher Fusco

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

In its 10 years of existence, the Bowl Championship Series system has roused plenty of controversy, stirred substantial discussion and caused a whole lot of confusion. Traditionally, Kansas football fans have never needed to decipher the BCS formula, weed through computer rankings or guesstimate opponents’ strength-of-schedule numbers.

This season is a bit different. With the Jayhawks at No. 4 in this week’s BCS rankings, the team stands poised to make a run at a BCS bowl or even the BCS National Championship game. In order for the Jayhawks to make a championship run, a number of things must fall in a certain way.

Kansas is currently ranked No. 4 in the BCS Standings behind No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Oregon. A loss would slide any of these three teams out of the championship picture, possibly clearing the way for the Jayhawks.

"In order for the Jayhawks to make a championship run, a number of things must fall in a certain way."

Undefeated Ohio State has only two games left on the schedule — Illinois and at No. 12 Michigan. Ohio State is a heavy favorite against Illinois, but a slip-up against rival Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich., is certainly possible. Michigan has won eight straight games after two early losses. The Wolverines look like one of the nation’s elite teams.

Three games remain on LSU’s regular season slate. The Tigers play host to Louisiana Tech, visit Mississippi and play Arkansas at home before presumably playing in the SEC Championship game. Louisiana Tech should be a cinch at home, Mississippi is winless in conference play and Arkansas is not a top-tier opponent by any measure. If LSU advances to the SEC Championship, it will most likely face Georgia or Tennessee, two good teams that could knock the Tigers out of BCS contention.

Oregon faces Arizona and UCLA on the road before finishing the season at home against Oregon State. Arizona and UCLA have been inconsistent all season, but in-state rival Oregon State could give the Ducks some trouble.

In the circumstance that Ohio State, LSU and Oregon win the rest of their games, Kansas still could jump into second place in the BCS Standings, according to analysts. The Jayhawks would obviously need to win all of their remaining games — at Oklahoma State, vs. Iowa State, vs. Missouri, Big 12 Championship — in convincing fashion.

Also, Kansas’ strength-of-schedule would have to stay respectable for the team to leapfrog LSU and Oregon. That means Kansas fans should shamelessly cheer the teams Kansas trounced early in the season. Central Michigan and Toledo have put together decent seasons but Southeastern Louisiana and Florida International have dragged the Jayhawks’ strength-of-schedule down with a horrific 2-16 combined record. Late-season victories by Baylor, Kansas State, Colorado and Texas A&M could also give Kansas a boost in the eyes of the pollsters, whose votes count in the BCS formula.

Kansas fans should also hop on the Missouri and Oklahoma bandwagons — at least for the time being. A Kansas victory against Missouri on Nov. 24 and a subsequent triumph against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship one week later would probably catapult the Jayhawks into the National Championship game, but only if Missouri and Oklahoma win all of their games leading up to their match-ups against Kansas.

So remember: If you’re a Kansas football fan, don’t boo when you see Missouri beating Texas A&M this Saturday.

— Edited by Luke Morris

Comments

vthawk (anonymous) says...

Talk of moving up the BCS and other ranks is all well and good, but I'd rather see them continue to simply concentrate on the next game and win it. OSU is no pushover, and it's a road game. ISU has shown some fight of late, and would happily play the spoiler. Missou...well, they'd like to see KU slip up to help THEM advance in the polls, not to mention stick it to us in the process.Mangino's right on the money...EVERYBODY is going to give us their best shot from here on out - no gimme's. So, 'Hawks, stay focused, play tough, and keep Rockin'.

November 7, 2007 at 2:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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