Thursday, October 20, 2011

Amid the weirdness, 10 college football teams remain undefeated

Conference juggling, fired coaches and other distractions aside, here's a look at the candidates to play for the Bowl Championship Series title.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are among the leading contenders for the national title this season. ( Marvin Gentry / US Presswire )

The strangest half a season in memory is over and a lot of it was forgettable.

TheBig 12 Conferencewill be home for Christmas, just barely, but check back regarding theBig East Conference.

Also It's gridlock at the top of college football rankings USC, Notre Dame — and tailgaters — are going under the lights Louisiana State suspends three players for game against Auburn UCLA faces an Arizona team in transition UCLA's pass defense is being stretched to the limit this season Loss to Stanford was turning point for Huskies See more stories »

Bob Toledo resigns as coach at TulaneUSC's Matt Barkley hoping to bring the electricity back against Notre DameUCLA hopes to make best of Thursday night football opportunity

TexasA&M followed through on plans to join theSoutheastern Conference, the one big lead the Aggies haven't blown this year.

The departure suspends a rivalry with Texas that started in 1894. Texas A&M called Texas about continuing the series but Texas said "let me check my schedule" and reported it was booked through 2018.

Missouri, a school that has never won a Big 12 football title, is holding everyone hostage as it contemplates moving to the SEC.

This is more dumbfounding than Texas A&M, a school with one Big 12 title, previously holding everyone hostage.

ArizonaCoach Mike Stoops andTulane's Bob Toledo didn't make it to the finish line and the stopwatch is ticking on UCLA's Rick Neuheisel.

Wisconsinquarterback Russell Wilson, a transfer from NorthCarolinaState, has electrified Madison and was this season's biggest steal until theCincinnati Bengalsswindled theOakland Raidersin theNFL.

Biggest surprise:Kansas State.

Coach of the year so far: Bill Snyder, Kansas State.

Biggest flop:FloridaState, 4-3 after starting No. 5 in the USA Today preseason coaches' poll.

Second-half team to watch:Notre Dame. The Irish have won four games in a row since turning the ball over 10 times in losses toSouth FloridaandMichiganthat came by a total of seven points.

Looking forward, 10 undefeated teams remain and, believe it or not, some actually are in contention for the national title.

Here's a look at those schools, in order of their chances of playing for theBowl Championship Seriestitle:

1.Alabama(7-0):Louisiana Stateis No. 1 in the first BCS standings and has impressive nonconference wins over Oregon andWest Virginia. But that doesn't matter because Louisiana State and Alabama are playing Nov. 5.

Alabama has been our No. 1 since the start and, as we expected, is growing up on the job. Alabama also gets Louisiana State in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

No coach in America has more laser-focus than Nick Saban, who considers "outside noise" anything beyond his office door. Reporters agitated Saban this week with questions about conference expansion and other bothersome annoyances.

"I could give a [bleep] about that, excuse my French," Saban barked. "I mean, come on, let's talk about the game."

Saban does not suffer fools — or smart people — gladly.

Source: http://www.latimes.com

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