Despite all the negativity... a BCS bowl is not out of reach.

[Jim Johnson]

First, we already know the permutations for USF to win the Big East... and some might say it's a long shot (I don't think it's that long, but okay)...

There is still another way -- an at large invite.  Consider:

1. There are ten BCS slots and six automatic conference bids.

2. Hawaii will get an automatic bid if they finish in the Top 12 in the final BCS Standings.

3. No conference can send more than two teams.

4. Any team in the Top 14 in the final BCS is eligible for an at large invitation.

So either three or four (depending on Hawaii) BCS conferences will get a 2nd BCS team... below are the six conference leaders and the top four "alternates" based on the current standings (Hawaii is on the outside looking in...)

Okay, now here are the the BCS standings down to USF:

1. Ohio State 9-0

2. Boston College 8-0

3. LSU 7-1

4. Arizona State 8-0

5. Oregon 7-1

6. Oklahoma 7-1

7. West Virginia 7-1

8. Kansas 8-0

9. Missouri 7-1

10. Georgia 6-2

11. Virginia Tech 6-2

12. Michigan 7-2

13. Connecticut 7-1

14. Hawaii 8-0

15. Texas 7-2

16. Auburn 6-3

17. Alabama 6-2

18. South Florida 6-2

If the BCS were today, the green and blue teams listed above would be in a BCS bowl... (well, Kansas or Missouri) ... although U Conn, Michigan, and Hawaii would be eligible as well... so it appears that at least 2 teams with 2 losses will get a BCS bowl game.

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And here are the games involving two teams in the BCS top 25, and these WILL have an effect on these standings -- not every loser in these games will drop below USF, but enough of them could.  Also, these do not include any potential upsets with a team below USF in the standings (or not in the standings) beating a team above USF.

[table][tr][td]Week 10[/td][td]Week 11[/td][td]Week 12[/td][td]Week 13[/td][td]Week 14[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]#3 LSU @ #17 Alabama[br]#4 Arizona St @ #5 Oregon[br]#24 Wake Forest @ #23 Virginia[br]#21 Wisconsin @ #1 Ohio State[/td][td]#16 Auburn @ #10 Georgia[br]#12 Michigan @ #21 Wisconsin[br]#24 Wake Forest @ #25 Clemson[/td]

[td]#1 Ohio State @ #12 Michigan[br]#2 BC @ #25 Clemson[/td][td]#13 Connecticut @ #7 West Virginia[br]#9 Missouri @ #8 Kansas[br]#17 Alabama @ #16 Auburn[br]#22 Boise St @ #14 Hawaii[br]#11 VA Tech @ #23 Virginia[br]#19 USC @ #4 Arizona St[/td][td]Big 12 Championship[br]SEC Championship[br]ACC Championship[/td][/tr][/table]

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And there are some other games that are interesting for these BCS teams...

[table][tr][td]Week 10[/td][td]Week 11[/td][td]Week 12[/td][td]Week 13[/td][td]Week 14[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]#11 Va Tech @ Ga Tech[br]#15 Texas @ OK State[br][/td][td]#17 Alabama @ Miss St[br]Illinois @ #1 Ohio St[br]#4 Arizona St @ UCLA[br]#13 U Conn @ Cincy[br]Fresno St @ #14 Hawaii[/td][td]#7 WVU @ Cincy[br]Miami, FL @ #11 Va Tech[br]#6 Oklahoma @ Texas Tech[/td][td]#5 Oregon @ UCLA[br]#10 Georgia @ Ga Tech[/td][td]    [/td][/tr][/table]

In 2007, no one is "safe" in the BCS...

So, if the chips fall the right way, USF could easily be back in the Top 14-12-10... then it depends on who else is there - and which bowls might be interested...

A long shot? Sure... but we're the fans.  We're allowed to ponder things like this...

[E.T.]

Despite all the negativity

USF Football is having our BEST Season.

FINISH STRONG !!!

Go BULLS !!!

[MechanicalBull]

Thanks for the great breakdown.

Win and we have a chance.   

[Qbanbull]

Way to keep things up beat and positive.

Yes, we are the fans and as such we have a job just as the team itself has it's responsiblities. We stand by our team and cheer them on. As cornball as it may sound, we are tested along the way with good times and bad.

Well, I say, here's to all the great time we have in store and ahead of us.

Thanks to you ^Jim^ for taking the time to research and post all this info for us, the fans.

Go USF!!!

Go Bulls!!!

and as always, Finish Strong!!!

[raz7943]

It has been a strange year...I guess anything is possible...Thanks...

Have to beat Cincinnati...Go Bulls!

[DouBULL]

Fantastic as always Jim    Love your posts.

So we do our parts and keep our chins up and cheer our hearts out, the boys do their parts and win the games, and then all of us do our parts and buy the tickets and book the rooms for the BCS trip.

Sounds like a plan!

GO BULLS!!!!

FINISH STRONG!

[usfbulls2004]

Come on Bulls, Finsih Strong!

[305BULLNPHINS]

Great Post Jim!!!  GO BULLS!!!!!!!! BEAT THE BEARCATS!!!

[lerbut23]

Don't confuse realism with negatism but USF will not get an at large bid with 2 losses. 

People didn't want to give USF it's due when it was undefeated and considered tops by the computer rankings - 2 losses is their excuse to dismiss USF as irrelevant.  A less deserving team from a bigger name conference would get the nod.

[DELdaBull]

Thanks for the breakdown.  It would be tough, but not yet out of the question.