Stop me if you’ve read this one before: Gilded Lily U is the best four-loss football team in the country.
Actually, don’t stop me. Don’t bother me. There is no trophy for best four-loss team. Or five loss. Or 10. All it means is you’re the best loser in your class.
But best one-loss team? I’m interested. Because the best one-loss team in the country often times finds a way into the biggest baddest college football game of the year, the BCS Championship game.
It’s a question worth asking because the Pac-10 has two one-loss teams that could work their way into the BCS title game discussion in five or six weeks, Oregon and USC. One gets automatically bumped, since the two teams play each other on Oct. 31 in Eugene.
The country’s best one-loss team? At the moment, there are 24 among 120 Division I schools. Some can’t enter the discussion room even if they grease the door attendant with five grand. This would include one-loss thanks-for-playing types such as Idaho, Tulsa, Rutgers and Central Michigan.
Others are one-loss frauds because of their soft first-half schedule. This includes West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Utah, Missouri, Auburn and South Carolina. Houston’s loss is to UTEP? Go away. Losing at home is unforgivable. So get out of here Penn State, Brigham Young, Oklahoma State, Ohio State. Even you, LSU. It was Florida, but still, if you want to be the best, beat the best, at least at home.
Now we’re down to seven teams. But please, we can trim further. Notre Dame? Too many close games to take seriously. Georgia Tech? Got drilled by the lone Top 25 on its schedule, Miami. Gone. Nebraska? Possibly, but to date, lacks a marquee win.
That leaves Virginia Tech, USC, Miami and Oregon. Miami has played a fabulous schedule, beating Georgia Tech, Oklahoma and Florida State. But the lone loss came to one of the final four. It wasn’t just a loss, but a beatdown delivered by Virginia Tech. So long, Miami.
The best one-loss team between Oregon, USC and Virginia Tech? All have merit, though I’ve been saying for three weeks that the Ducks will win the Pac-10, which means on Oct. 31 they’ll make the Trojans a two-loss team. This is, providing, the Oregon CIA hasn’t been covering up the physical condition of Jeremiah Masoli’s knee. Because if he’s toast, so are the Ducks’ chances of a one-loss season. I don’t think USC does enough on offense to overcome Oregon’s defense, whereas the Ducks have plenty of offense to take on the Trojans.
Virginia Tech or Oregon? Both lost their opener to a Top 5 team and have several impressive rump-roastings. The Ducks and Hokies lead with their defense, but can run up some numbers. Each has withstood a couple serious injuries/suspensions.
But if a leading factor is a one-loss team that can get to the national championship game, it can only be Virginia Tech. Oregon is way, way behind the Hokies in the polls. No. 4 Virginia Tech doesn’t need much to move up to No. 2. The Ducks need a miracle. There are eight undefeated teams ahead of them, including Oregon-killer Boise State.
Guess the Ducks will have to settle for the Rose Bowl. Not a bad consolation prize.
Nick Daschel covers the Pac-10 for Buster Sports, and can be reached at ndaschel@bustersports.com
You can also follow Nick on Twitter
Comments
And then let's look at the Trojans' offense - completely terrible against a bad UW defense. Put up half the points the Ducks did against WSU. Scored 12 less points against Cal...there is nothing about the USC offense that suggests the Ducks D can't dominate them, especially at home. Nice try though.
Hello, Kettle? This is Pot. You're black.
Toast, you don't know what you're talking about. Do some research, but don't bother getting back to us.
Sadly most duck fans try and rewrite history.