Photo by Contributed Photo /Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Yes, we are a long ways away from January right now and the sport is fluid as ever before. Even though it looks as if the best teams in America are the ones ranked in the top six or seven, many conference are wide open heading into conference play.
The Big Ten took a fall whereas the Pac-12 looks perhaps better than last year (is that possible). Here are your way too early BCS projections heading into the third week of the season.
Rose Bowl (Jan 1)
Michigan State Spartans (Projected Big Ten Champion, 11-2) vs. USC Trojans (Projected Pac-12 Champion, 12-1)
Who knows if the Spartans will win the Big Ten let alone their own division since the Big Ten had a major meltdown this past week. Their defense though is head-and-shoulders above everybody that is eligible to play for the crown, so they get the edge at the moment.
USC very well could play for the BCS title if they run the table, but the Pac-12 looks a lot tougher than some anticipated so I foresee a loss down the road to somebody not named Oregon (see UCLA).
Orange Bowl (Jan 1)
Louisville Cardinals (10-2, Projected Big East Champion) vs. Boise State Broncos (11-1, #3 Projected BCS at-large bid)
The Broncos would have to run the table obviously after their loss to Sparty, but BYU could ruin their chances in a few weeks. Still, Chris Petersen is magical and this would be a great matchup against Charlie Strong’s defensive squad that also has some offense thank to Teddy Bridgewater (quarterback).
Sugar Bowl (Jan 2)
Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1, SEC tie-in, at-large bid) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (11-1, BCS #2 at-large bid)
Nick Saban against Dana Holgorsen would have many fans around the country foaming at the mouth. Can the Mountaineers score enough on the Tide’s defense?
Will Alabama just run over the West Virginia defense or will A.J. McCarron have to open things up a bit more against a team that loves to throw it 50 times a game?
Fiesta Bowl (Jan 3)
Texas Longhorns (11-1 Projected Big 12 Champion) vs. Oregon Ducks (11-2, Projected Top At-Large Bid)
I would pay to see the Ducks offense against the Longhorns defense as the matchups are electric in this potential BCS bowl. De’Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner against the stout Longhorns defense would truly be a sight to see in Glendale.
BCS National Championship (Jan 3)
Georgia Bulldogs (13-0, Projected #1 BCS Team) vs. Florida State Seminoles (13-0, Projected #2 BCS Team)
This game would be a ton of fun since they are arguably the best two defenses in the country (LSU, Bama, MSU, TX too). However, both quarterbacks remain the top dark horses for the Heisman and the weapons around them should flourish in the immediate future.
