Now that we are 12 weeks into the NCAA college football season, we know a few more details about the national championship game.

(1) The SEC run of six straight BCS championships is in jeopardy of coming to an end this year. Alabama was #1 in the polls for most of the season, but was upset last weekend by Texas A&M and their quarterback Johnny Manziel. Nicknamed “Johnny Football”, this talented freshman went into Tuscaloosa and racked up 345 yards of total offense against one of the stingiest defenses in the country. With the loss, Alabama dropped to #4 in the standings and is a long shot to jump back into the top two. Even though the SEC currently has the 4-9 spots of the BCS rankings, only #1 and #2 matter when the season ends.

(2) We’ve got three very talented teams battling for the top two spots. Kansas State is in the driver’s seat at #1, and has a remaining game against a ranked Texas team. If Kansas State wins out, they should be ranked no lower than #2. Oregon, with Chip Kelly’s top scoring collegiate offense, is sitting in the #2 spot. They have two remaining games against ranked opponents, and then the Pac 12 title game, which should also be against a ranked USC or UCLA. It’s hard to imagine them dropping from their position if they win out. That leaves Notre Dame at #3. The Fighting Irish are enjoying their best season since 1988, when Lou Holtz was at the helm. However, unlike 1988, the Fighting Irish are currently on the outside looking in. They have to pass either Kansas State or Oregon to get to the national championship game. With only one game remaining against a ranked opponent (USC), they need help to get into the second spot.

While I personally dislike the BCS system, and am a huge proponent of a playoff system (8 team if I had my way), I am very intrigued to watch the final few weeks of the college football season play out. Best of luck to the undefeated teams, as well as those with the opportunity to play spoiler down the stretch. Regardless of who wins, I just want to see good football.

Here we are, just 5 weeks away from the start of the college football season.  The first games of the season will be Thursday August 30th, but most teams kick off their season on Saturday September 1st.  For a football junkie like myself, I’m envisioning a Labor Day weekend filled with good football and plenty of cheers as my team takes the field for the first time since last year’s bowl game. 

While I will admit that I’m no fan of the BCS, I do like the fact that “every game counts.”  In college football, there is no preseason.  Teams get a few weeks to practice, but when they put on the pads Labor Day weekend, there is little margin for error.  One loss could mean the end to a national championship dream.  With that in mind, there are a couple of opening weekend matchups that really intrigue me:  On Friday August 31st, ESPN is treating us to Boise State vs. Michigan State.  Boise State gets a chance to prove they belong with the big boys as they once again open their season with the toughest game on their schedule. 

On Saturday September 1st, most everyone else starts their season.  Top games include Notre Dame vs. Navy in the Emerald Isle Classic (played in Dublin), Clemson vs. Auburn (played in the Georgia Dome) and Michigan vs. Alabama (played at Cowboys stadium).  Not a bad way to kick off the season if you ask me…

Assuming Boise St. wins their remaining games, they should play for the national championship this season. Period. I could write a master’s dissertation on the subject, but this isn’t school, it’s a sports blog. For that reason, I’m going to break this down and give you all the abbreviated version.

To truly appreciate Boise St., you have to go back to the 2009 season. They were 14-0, won the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game to improve their BCS record to 2-0 all time, and own wins over Oregon and TCU. Only three teams in the history of Division I/FBS college football history have ever gone 14-0. The other two, Ohio State (2002) and Alabama (2009) won the national championship. Boise St didn’t even get a chance to play for the championship. The Broncos returned 19 starters to the 2010 team, and started the season with a neutral site victory over soon to be ACC champ Virginia Tech.

Talking about 2010, the Broncos return all American QB Kellen Moore. The talented junior finished last season as the nation’s most efficient passer, and is a top Heisman candidate for 2010. He’s currently the most efficient passer in the nation again, and on pace for a record breaking season. Moore already owns the school’s passing TD record, and potentially has another 16 games or more to improve on that mark as well. He’s led the team to an 8-0 record, and extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 22 games.

Many naysayers have pointed out the weak conference as a reason they don’t deserve to play for the championship. As of this post, the WAC has 4 bowl eligible teams, which is more than both the Pac-10 and the Big East (both of these conferences get an automatic BCS birth). The Broncos can’t control their conference schedule, and have a hard time scheduling tough non-conference games. Big schools don’t want to face them due to the risk/reward factor (ask Oregon or Oregon St.), and no one wants to play in Boise. Boise St. is 59-2 at home since 1999.

I’m not saying they are the best team in college football, but I would love to see them get a chance to prove it on the field. If the BCS system doesn’t let Boise St. play for the national championship, then someone needs to explain why to Coach Peterson and the kids that are doing everything they can to show us they are worthy.