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October 25, 11:30 AM ET
Chat with Brad Edwards

Randy (Tennessee)

If Auburn continues to win out, is there any chance they will drop in the computer rankings?

Brad Edwards
  (11:36 AM)

Not sure if there's any chance they could drop at any particular point in the season, but I have no doubt Auburn will finish No. 1 in the computers if they go undefeated.

alden (auburn,AL) [via mobile]

How long will auburn stay at the top spot? And if they do fall to someone, who will it be?

Brad Edwards
  (11:42 AM)

Although I think Auburn would finish as the No. 1 team in the computers, I don't think Auburn will hold on to No. 1 in the BCS if Oregon keeps winning. The Ducks will get better in the computers over the next few weeks, and they'll move to the BCS top spot if still unbeaten.

Chris Harvey (Aurora)

Where was Auburn ranked in the BCS last week? Why is it that Oregon doesn't get the respect they deserve?

Brad Edwards
  (11:45 AM)

Auburn was fourth last week, and the "disrespect" for Oregon comes only from the BCS computers. Can a computer disrespect someone? Oregon is a commanding No. 1 in both polls, so the human element has more respect for Oregon than any other team.

Brad Edwards
  (11:47 AM)

While we're discussing Auburn and Oregon, let me add that I think we're at a point where two teams probably "control their destiny" in the BCS race. I can't see either Auburn or Oregon falling out of the top two if they win out, but the pressure of being No. 1, whether in the BCS or the polls, will make that difficult.

Marc (Charlotte, North Carolina)


Brad Edwards
  (11:50 AM)


Ryan (Detroit)


Brad Edwards
  (11:55 AM)


Derrick (Salt Lake City)


Brad Edwards
  (11:58 AM)


Cory (Geneva, IL)


Brad Edwards
  (12:02 PM)


Jim Crozier (Boise, Idaho)


Brad Edwards
  (12:05 PM)


Oscar (Los Angeles)

Is USC factored into the BCS and then simply taken out, or are they not even imputed into the computers?

Brad Edwards
  (12:07 PM)

Even though the Trojans can't be ranked in the coaches' and Harris polls, USC is still a part of the computer rankings (ranked in the 20s by all of them this week), so it doesn't hurt Oregon in the BCS. In fact, the computers (and maybe most humans), will consider USC to be the second-best team Oregon has played so far this year, behind Stanford.

Rob (DC)

Given that BSU is already falling behind some of the 1-loss teams in the computers, is there really any way they would end top 2 other than having even the 1-loss teams lose again?

Brad Edwards
  (12:12 PM)

It's going to be extremely difficult for Boise to finish in the top two of the computer rankings, which makes it almost impossible for the Broncos to end up in the BCS top two without being No. 1 in at least one of the polls. Think about that. Boise State will need to be ranked No. 1 in the nation by the humans to have a chance to play for the national title. Sounds like a stretch, but if the upsets keep happening at this rate, maybe it could happen.

Billy (The Bob)

Do you see the additions of championship games in the Big 10 and PAC-12 hurting the SEC as strongest conference?

Brad Edwards
  (12:16 PM)

The championship game, on several occasions, has helped an SEC team with one loss (LSU had two in '07) reach the BCS title game by giving that team one more game against a quality opponent. Obviously, that's contributed to the number of BCS champs from the SEC and the reputation of the conference. But just having a championship game doesn't make a conference strong. It only helps if you have a second quality team as the opponent in that game, and even that can backfire if the underdog pulls an upset. The championship game is a double-edged sword for sure.

Brad Edwards
  (12:17 PM)

Last question. Need to get ready for CFB Live.

Marc (Malden, MA)

If either Auburn or Oregon lose, will another team jump Boise State or will Boise State finally get a top 2 spot?

Brad Edwards
  (12:22 PM)

As some of you know, I project the next day's BCS Standings every Saturday night, and over the last three weeks, it's been fairly easy to predict which big-name team would vault up the rankings after No. 1 lost. We're now at a point, however, where I don't think it's obvious anymore. If Oregon loses, I wouldn't be surprised to see Boise move to No. 1 in the polls, nor would I be surprised to see Auburn jump the Broncos. If Auburn loses, I wouldn't be surprised to see TCU move up to third in the polls, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Frogs get leaped by Michigan State or Missouri. The next upset will give us a much better indication than we've ever had of exactly how much help Boise State and TCU still need this season.

Brad Edwards
  (12:23 PM)

Thanks, everyone. Will No. 1 bite the dust again this week? Should be fun to watch.