3rd Down: Rivalry Week

Game of the Week
Stanford at UCLA-  No game has the implecations that this one boasts.  Both teams are currently on top of their respectives side of the Pac-12.  Stanford, having just knocked off Oregon, will win the Pac-12 North with a win over UCLA and in doing so will completely end Oregon's BCS title hopes as well as secure a rematch with UCLA in the Pac-12 title game, with Rose Bowl hopes on the line.  UCLA has little to lose in this game, having secured their spot in the Pac-12 Championship with thier impressive win over USC last weekend. 

Oregon at Oregon State- This game could have BCS title implecations if- Stanford loses to UCLA this weekend, which will put the Ducks back in the Pac-12 Championship, assuming they can take care of the Beavers.  If Notre Dame also loses, there will be another spot in the BCS Championship open against the SEC winner.  A one loss Ducks team could potentially get back in the mix if they can win the Pac-12.

If Notre Dame loses...

Notre Dame- obviously, all the Irish have to do is win and they're in.

Alabama and Georgia- win and they're in.

Florida- It's going to be tough without having a chance to win the SEC.  Alabama and Georgia would both have to lose this weekend and if the Gators beat the 'Noles by 20, they might have enough juice to sneak into the BCS Championship.  They'd probably need Oregon and K-State to lose too, secure it.

Oregon- The Ducks lost control of their fate's last week and now need some serious help to get back into the mix.  The Ducks have to beat Oregon State this weekend and will need Stanford to lose to
UCLA this weekend to get into the Pac-12 Championship.  Take care of that and hope for a Notre Dame loss and they'll be able to punch their ticket to Miami.

Kansas State- Like Oregon, the former No.1 Wildcats need some help.  But, with a win over Texas and a Notre Dame loss, the Wildcats will have a good chance to get in.  Might need a Ducks loss to really get a serious look.

LSU- Like Florida, it's hard to see a non-SEC champ making the BCS title game.  The Tigers two losses make it even more unlikely.  They would pretty much need everyone in front of them to lose this weekend and might need a few teams behind them to lose as well.

Stanford- This is where it could get interesting.  If Notre Dame loses and Stanford can beat UCLA this weekend and the following weekend in the Pac-12 Championship, the Cardinal might be able to gain enough ground to get in the conversation.  Would votes select a one loss Ducks team or a two loss, Pac-12 Champ that beat Oregon in Oregon?  They'd need K-State to lose to Texas and probably a Florida loss.

Texas A&M- If it's a long shot for Florida and LSU, it's an even longer shot for Texas A$M.  It's unlikely that, even if total chaos takes place ahead of them, that they'll be able to jump from No. 9 to No. 2.  Besides, like LSU, if the BCS had to take a two loss SEC team and 'Bama and Georgia both lose this weekend, it would likely still be an Alabama or Georgia going with two losses than A&M.

Florida State- The 'Noles will need some serious help, but they have the best 'outside' shot in my opinion.  Granted, there's going to have to be some chaos on top.  First, the Irish have to lose.  If the 'Noles can beat Florida, and I mean really beat the Gators (like by at least two touchdowns) they should gain some serious ground in the top ten- likely moving up somewhere between No. 4 to No. 6.  The Nole's will also need a big blowout in the ACC Championship game against whichever garbage team they play.  That said, big wins in their final two games will probably not be quite enough.  They'll need help- K-State loss to Texas; Stanford to win this weekend, keeping Oregon out of the Pac-12 Championship.  Should this all happen the voters will have some interesting decisions to make- does a one loss FSU have a better arguement than a two loss, Pac-12 Champ Stanford, or a one loss Oregon or Notre Dame?