BCS standings: Oregon falls while Kansas State rises

The more Oregon wins the more it keeps dropping in the BCS standings.

The Ducks, who debuted at No. 3 last week despite being No. 2 in both college football polls, dropped to No. 4 on Sunday behind Alabama, Florida, and Kansas State.

How bad a week did Oregon have?

Actually, the Ducks blitzed Arizona State, 43-21, last Thursday night in a game that was much more lopsided than the final score. Oregon led 43-7 in the second quarter before easing off the gas.

Oregon is still No. 2 in the two polls used in the BCS formula: the USA Today coaches’ poll and the Harris Interactive index. Oregon’s problem continues to be weak BCS computer numbers. The Ducks’ strength of schedule should improve dramatically, though, with remaining games against USC, Stanford and Oregon State.

If the standings hold, Alabama and Florida would eventually have to play in the Southeastern Conference title game.

The question, though, is whether undefeated Kansas State could remain ahead of an undefeated Oregon. It is also possible Notre Dame, No. 5 in the BCS standings, might leapfrog both schools.

Kansas State jumped into the No. 3 position over Oregon this week after a convincing 55-14 win at West Virginia.

One irony to note as the season plays out is that Kansas State canceled a scheduled game against Oregon this season and that forced the Ducks to play 1-AA Tennessee Tech.

Alabama remains on top of this week’s standings with an average of .963. Florida is second at .932, followed by Kansas State (.911), Oregon (.897) and Notre Dame (.851)

Rounding out the top 10 is Louisiana State, the highest one-loss team, at No. 6, followed by Oregon State, Oklahoma, USC and Georgia.

Last week, the Big Ten failed to put a team in the BCS top 25 (Ohio State is ineligible because of NCAA probation).

This week, Wisconsin sneaked in at No. 25.

There are huge games this week with BCS implications, none more important than Notre Dame playing at Oklahoma. Georgia and Florida also meet at neutral-site Jacksonville.

Mississippi State (7-0) sits on the outskirts at No. 11 in the BCS standings, but has a chance to improve that position dramatically next week at top-ranked Alabama.

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