Easy road to BCS for Notre Dame?

[Irish Envy]

Okay, maybe not easy, but after looking at the remaining schedules of all of the Top 10 teams, Notre Dame could be in the Top 5 before all is said and done.

#1 USC
11/05 Stanford TBD
11/12 at #25 California TBD
11/19 #24 Fresno St 10:15 PM
12/03 #8 UCLA 4:30 PM

#2 Texas
11/05 at Baylor TBD
11/12 Kansas TBD
11/25 at Texas A&M 12:00 PM

#3 VT
11/05 #6 Miami TBD
11/19 at #23 Virginia TBD
11/26 UNC TBD

#4 Bama
11/05 at Miss St TBD
11/12 #7 LSU 3:30 PM
11/19 at #16 Auburn 3:30 PM

#5 Miami
11/05 at #3 Va Tech TBD
11/12 at W Forest TBD
11/19 Ga Tech 12:00 PM
11/26 #23 Virginia TBD

#6 LSU
11/05 App St 8:00 PM
11/12 at #5 Alabama 3:30 PM
11/19 at Ole Miss TBD
11/25 Arkansas 2:30 PM

#7 UCLA
11/05 at Arizona 6:00 PM
11/12 Arizona St 7:00 PM
12/03 at #1 USC 4:30 PM

#8 Notre Dame
11/05 #17 Tennessee 2:30 PM
11/12 Navy 1:00 PM
11/19 Syracuse 2:30 PM
11/26 at Stanford 3:30 PM

As you can see, there are at least 3 head-to-head losses in the remaining schedules as USC plays UCLA, VT plays Miami and LSU plays Alabama. If the underdog loses each, that is pretty much a guarantee Notre Dame jumps 3 spots to at least #6 if they win out.

In the case of a struggling Virginia Tech team, they could very week lose to both BC and Miami, or split them which would probably be the best case scenario. If any of the other teams trip up, we could finish in the top 5.

We definitely have the best remaining schedule of anyone aside from Texas, although you could make a case stating those weak Big 12 teams are much better then the Syracuses and Navys of the world.

Anywho, I think we are sitting in prime position to not just snag a BCS game, but one of the top 3 BCS games.

 

[iloveirish_12]

I think some teams will get knocked off and we can get up there. Its been awhile since we played in a big bowl game that matter. It would be nice to see them in a bcs game.

 

[jiggafini19]

The winner of that SC-UCLA game will play Texas. Everyone else up there will lose at least once or already has one loss. UCLA might be burned before SC by looking ahead. Their defense leaves a lot to be desired.

Georgia losing Sockley is big. They have three of four potential losses if he can't go. Without Tyrone Prothro, Bama's offense has been stagnant. Auburn plays them both and could beat them both.

I could see BC beating Va Tech this Thursday.

 

[weisfaninmass]

Svobada -- great job of research and agree with your conclusions. I am still not sold on UCLA. So I don't see a TExas UCLA Rose Bowl as anything but very remote.

 

[Domer95]

Svoboda,
I agree with you ALMOST. I think that LSU has the easiest way, or am I mistaken and that's their basketball team's schedule...I mean, Appalachian St???? A "Directional" Texas team???? That's scheduling that only Nebraska and Texas Wreck, I mean Tech could love......Let's not forget so-so at best Ole Miss and Razorback teams.

So their one true test should be against 'Bama and our's against TN. I'd say overall, that's a push to slightly tougher for ND.

Great work nonetheless.

 

[Guest]

If ND wins out, and USC ends up losing a game they could possibly play each other in a bowl. How awesome would that be

 

[Irish Envy]

Initial post updated to reflect Georgia loss, dropping them out of the Top 10!

VT plays Miami this week, so if Notre Dame wins, we'll be moving up again.

 

[BGIF]

The ACC and Conference Championship Game should provide some more key losses to trim the group as long as the right teams lose.

 

[ND Lifer]

Don't forget, we still have to BEAT UTENN and Stanford. They will NOT be easy games for us. IF we win out, matters will take care of themselves.

 

[jiggafini19]

Don't forget, we still have to BEAT UTENN and Stanford. They will NOT be easy games for us. IF we win out, matters will take care of themselves.

I'd be afraid of Stanford more than Tennessee.

Stanford looked good Saturday, right until Drew Olson went bonkers and got 'er done again in the fourth and OT.

This game looked all but over....but I kept watching because I knew they'd come back.

Mercedes Lewis is the best tight end in the country.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

The ACC and Conference Championship Game should provide some more key losses to trim the group as long as the right teams lose.

Good point. And let's not forget the SEC championship. That's another key loss for someone.

Texas will not struggle with any Big 12 team in their conference championship. I think they are going to play Colorado. UT will win 42-14 or there abouts.

 

[jiggafini19]

Good point. And let's not forget the SEC championship. That's another key loss for someone.

Texas will not struggle with any Big 12 team in their conference championship. I think they are going to play Colorado. UT will win 42-14 or there abouts.

Texas really shouldn't lose to anyone else they play for the remainder of the regular season.

UCLA can't dig a hole against SC they way they have been, but they continue to impress me. Saw the Stanford game after scUM and Northwestern started to bore me. Olson, Drew and Lewis are a formidable trio on offense.

Is there anyone that can stop SC's offense? I think Va Tech has a better shot than Texas. Watching Texas against Ok State, I wasn't all that impressed with their first half performance.