It is early, but it is evident. This isn’t going to end well.
But what would the final season of the BCS be without controversy?
With upsets of top teams practically non-existent through six weeks and 16 ranked teams still undefeated, it already looks like college football could have its first unbeaten national champion since Auburn in 2010.
Conference play will whittle it down, but the looming four-team playoff will make the BCS look even more archaic than usual this season.
No. 1 Alabama’s only ranked opponent left is LSU, at home. No. 4 Ohio State’s only such game is against undefeated, but inconsistent Michigan.
No. 2 Oregon and No. 5 Stanford might be the two best teams in the country. Is there really a scenario where Tahj Boyd and No. 3 Clemson or Jameis Winston and No. 6 Florida State wouldn’t reach the title game if their team is undefeated?
What if Baylor is still averaging 70 points per game? What about Oklahoma, UCLA and Miami? And though everyone pretends they don’t exist, No. 21 Fresno State and No. 23 Northern Illinois remain as well.
There will be anger and frustration and never-ending curiosity about what could have been if an undefeated team is excluded from the title game again and No. 8 Louisville looks the most likely to take the torch from the 2004 Auburn, 2009 Cincinnati, 2010 TCU and the Boise State (2006, 2009) and Utah (2004, 2008) teams.
Winning won’t be enough. The Cardinals need to crush their conference.
And though quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is sure to dismantle every defense in the AAC, then ultimately regret it when the Jacksonville Jaguars are calling his name with the first pick in the NFL Draft, Rutgers’ (+19) 40-point per game offense will save the Scarlet Knights from embarrassment.
Arizona (+6) over USC: Lane Kiffin is gone, but the ruins remain at the Coliseum.
Missouri (+8½) over GEORGIA: With Todd Gurley doubtful and the Bulldogs beat up, the Tigers’ undefeated run could continue.
Oklahoma (-14) over Texas: Longhorns quarterback David Ash is out again and Mack Brown’s pink slip is signed and sealed. The delivery could come after the Sooners, who have won the past two meetings by an average of 40 points, make the Red River rivalry bloodier than ever.
ARKANSAS (+6) over South Carolina: Even without the Jadeveon Clowney distraction, the Gamecocks have underwhelmed all season, needlessly keeping inferior teams alive late in games like a bad Bond villain.
Boston College (+24½) over CLEMSON: The Tigers will ride the brake heading into next week’s epic encounter with Florida State.
LSU (-7) over Florida: Gators coach Will Muschamp doesn’t mind quarterback Tyler Murphy being called a game manager. “That’s one of the greatest compliments you can have as a quarterback,” said Muschamp. “I don’t know where that became a bad word in the coaching profession.” He’ll understand when Murphy can’t keep up with Zach Mettenberger and LSU’s 45.5 points per game.
Northwestern (+10½) over WISCONSIN: A better spot on the Wildcats’ fourth-and-one against Ohio State and this could be a Top 10 team. With a consistent run game and unparalleled success with a two-quarterback offense, Northwestern’s offense should not see double-digit spreads. Hopefully, a no-lateral clause is included.
NC STATE (-6½) over Syracuse: Orange quarterback Terrel Hunt’s first road game won’t go much better than his first ACC game.
Oregon (- 13½) over WASHINGTON: The Ducks are the first team to score more than 50 points in its first five games since the Statue of Liberty has been standing. Princeton’s 1885 squad was slowed to a 10-0 win in their sixth game after smacking around Columbia Law, 64-0, but the Tigers didn’t have Marcus Mariota.
Michigan (-2½) over PENN STATE: The sanction reductions ensure a brighter future in State College, but the Nittany Lions’ first-ever loss to Indiana last week showed there’s still a long way to go.
Texas A&M (-6) over MISSISSIPPI: Death, taxes and taking the Aggies at a touchdown or less.
UTAH (+9) over Stanford: The Utes had six turnovers against UCLA and still nearly won, while the Cardinal are stuck between monster games against Washington and the Bruins.
KENTUCKY (+27½) over Alabama: The No. 1 team has nothing to prove. Wins over Georgia State and Colorado State have shown Nick Saban is a merciful demigod against nonthreatening opponents.
UCLA (-24½) over California: The Bears allowed 55 points to Oregon in heavy rain two weeks ago. This weekend’s forecast in Pasadena? Clear skies.
Best Bets: NC State, Texas A&M, UCLA
Record: 21-22-2
Best Bets: 3-6