Stumbling blocks are also present for Michigan State and Texas Christian. Both teams will have to be careful that road trips to Northwestern and Air Force do not derail their plans for undefeated seasons.
Oklahoma State also has a tough test in a home battle with Nebraska -- one the Cowboys will probably not survive.
Here are the current rankings:
- Michigan State
- Oregon
- Oklahoma
- Auburn
- Texas Christian
- LSU
- Oklahoma State
- Boise State
- Utah
- Missouri
Remember, the PJ Poll ranks teams according to their chances of remaining undefeated. Oregon is the best team in the country, but the Ducks' remaining schedule is much stiffer than the path left for Michigan State.
In addition, the PJ Poll considers the likelihood of a non-BCS conference team reaching the championship game. Boise State will probably go undefeated, but should be passed over for the national chamionship game. Even a one-loss Alabama or Ohio State team may pass an undefeated Boise State squad if all teams in the PJ Poll suffer a defeat.
No thinking person can look at the Broncos' schedule and put them in the national championship based on non-conference victories over teams such as Virginia Tech. Perhaps Boise State should also beat James Madison, another victor over the Hokies this season.
Texas Christian and Utah would also find themselves having to defend their resumes against one-loss teams if either one finishes the season undefeated. They have a slight advantage over Boise State, though, because one team will have a marquee win over the other after TCU travels to Utah on Nov. 6.
All of this drama could be ended by a playoff system. You know, the kind of thing undertaken by every other major American sport. Just saying. Until then, there is the PJ Poll.
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