From Pete Fiutak of CFN: "As it stands now, the national title pecking order is (for right or wrong) ... 1. Unbeaten SEC champion, 2. Unbeaten Big 12 champion, 3. Unbeaten Big Ten champion, 4. One loss SEC champion, 5. Unbeaten Big East Champion, 6. One loss USC, 7. One loss Big 12 champion, 8. One-loss Big 12 champion, 9. Unbeaten Mountain West champion, 10. One loss Big Ten champion, 11. Two loss SEC champion. (Note: The ACC doesn't have an unbeaten team and likely has no shot of anyone, except maybe Virginia Tech, getting into the national championship.)" Have to say that's a pretty good analysis of the possibilities. However, being a one loss SEC Champion at this point is much easier said than done.
That's an interesting take and may convey the mindset of the majority of the national media. But, like Terry said, it's his opinion and absolutely pure speculation at this point. I think BYU or Utah could merit a shot at the title by the end of the season if one is undefeated. You can argue schedule strength if you want but BYU has beaten a couple of Pac-10 teams and if there's a scenario similar to last season where there are a bunch of 2 loss teams at the end of the year trying to get inton the NC game, then I think you have to consider an unbeaten BYU/Utah. BYU would stand the better chance of getting in as they are already in the top 10 in the polls. I would much rather see BYU than USF.
Scott having met you several times and having known you on these boards for even longer, I am wondering about your Avatar. No avatar could be further from reality(well except for Krebs) , you are the new Aggie not Old Army. So what gives?
It's a nod to the family members that were ahead of me, and tell me all the time how "Old Army has gone to hell!"
Actually it's not a bad list. But some times would jump up the pecking order, like Oklahoma as mentioned above. An unbeaten Oklahoma is an almost certain number one right now. Still all in all not bad.
Maybe on OU....but if and when perhaps LSU were to beat Ga, Fla and Alabama and then either Ga or Fla again in the SEC title game they would probably jump OU. About the same goes for Bama except they play Aub and not Fla. Now....that said....I don't think either one of those things happens so the best the SEC can hope for is a one loss champion and that is the real relevance of the list because many power teams in big conferences are likely to have at least one loss also.
I think Alabama could pull off the jump of OU even though they don't have to worry about being #1 to get into the BCS Championship. They have already beat Georgia and will be playing LSU and possibly the SEC East winner in the SECCG. They have a strong schedule and are good enough to run the table.