I applied for a job at work and didn’t get it. I dressed well, gave a good interview, and kissed a ring or two. I like to tell myself the decision was a tough one, but the job ultimately went to the guy no one likes, who had more experience.
Every job requires qualifications8212;except for the vice president of the United States. At the start of the season, there was a large, hungry field of teams applying to be the next Bowl Championship Series-buster. Six weeks in, three teams remain standing: BYU, Utah and Boise State. These teams made it through the first round of interviews, and only one of them will get the job. Ball State is still hanging around, but consider it the starry-eyed intern that doesn’t have a chance.
The most important qualification is easy to measure. All three teams are undefeated, and the only way into the high society of the Bowl Championship Series is finishing unscathed. This is why Bronco Mendenhall and BYU’s theme is “quest for perfection,” though the Cougars were anything but perfect against Utah State. One loss and your résumé is another page in the recycle bin.
Beyond that, it all comes down to history. Besides Utah, four non-BCS teams have earned at-large BCS bids since 2003. All five teams shared three statistical triumphs. I keep a page from ESPN The Magazine on my fridge with them, alongside a picture of Gov. Sarah Palin winking. It helps remind me that anything is possible.
Herewith:
Averaged 31 points or better per game
1. BYU, 41.20 ppg, ranked 10th nationally
2. Utah, 37.17 ppg, ranked 18th nationally
3. Boise State, 36 ppg, ranked 21st nationally
All three teams make the cut, with the Cougars piling up on teams such as Northern Iowa and Wyoming. Sounds like time for a few onside kicks in Laramie this weekend for the Utes. Boise State scored an impressive 37 points against a ranked Oregon team.
Allowed fewer than 400 yards of offense per game
1. Utah, 260.33 ypg, ranked 13th nationally
2. BYU, 307.20 ypg, ranked 30th nationally
3. Boise State, 324.50 ypg, ranked 41st nationally
Utah is the king of this class, with Paul Kruger, Stevenson Sylvester and Brice McCain leading a stingy defense. Although Oregon State was able to score 28 points on the Utes, 14 of those were on Brian Johnson’s head.
Had either a 2,950 yard passer or 1,700 yard rusher
Passers
1. Max Hall, BYU, 317.40 ypg, ranked seventh nationally
2. Kellen Moore, Boise State, 291.25 ypg, ranked ninth nationally
3. Brian Johnson, 221.67 ypg, ranked 41st nationally
Rushers
1. Utah, 170.33 ypg, ranked 45th nationally
2. Boise State, 140 ypg, ranked 73rd nationally
3. BYU, 133.80 ypg, ranked 77th nationally
The differences among the quarterbacks are vast ones. Although both BYU and Boise State are on pace to have more than 3,500 passing yards this year, Johnson will be lucky to hit 2,500. And let’s be honest, we don’t want him passing more than he has to.
Besides that, the Utes will have to make history to bust through. Previous teams had a single powerhouse back. Utah is run by committee, with Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack in the backfield and Brent Casteel usually running a few end-arounds. Between them, the Utes are on pace to have more than 2,000 yards rushing, well ahead of the Broncos or Cougars.
It will be an interesting final interview. At least one of the Mountain West teams will ultimately take a loss against the other, but Boise State could roll through its remaining conference schedule unbeaten. Its biggest challenge will be a now 3-2 Fresno State team at the end of the year.
A lot could happen between now and then. There might be a major injury, Palin could become our new vice president and Wall Street investors could be having their lunch on high-rise ledges as the stock market crashes below them.
As a poor college student who didn’t get a job, I could care less. I just want the BCS to come crashing down with it.
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