For Small-Conference Teams, Two's a Crowd in the BCS
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Two teams will put their undefeated records on the line next week, but even victories in their final regular season games likely won't improve their chances of earning a Bowl Championship Series bid. Utah's 48-24 win over Brigham Young last night all but ensured neither Boise State nor Ball State -- despite their flawless résumés -- will enter the BCS.
Since the BCS system was introduced in the 1998-99 season, no more than one team from outside the top six BCS conferences has gained admittance into a BCS bowl. Several times, the standards of BCS eligibility have been adapted to make the system more friendly to teams such as Utah and Boise State, but only to one of them per season.
So even if Boise State (11-0), No. 9 in the BCS ratings, knocks off Fresno State on Friday in its regular season finale, the Broncos still might get left out of college football's marquee bowls. Utah (12-0) has no regular season games left and most likely will receive a BCS invitation, as the Utes likely won't drop from their current No. 7 rating.
Ball State (11-0) holds the No. 17 spot in the BCS and will host Western Michigan on Tuesday. Despite the loss of their top wide receiver, Dante Love, to a harrowing spine injury in their fourth game, the Cardinals have recorded the best season in program history.
That said, Ball State has racked up a majority of its victories in the Mid-American Conference, which has witnessed its overall talent level climb this season but still does not engender enough respect on a national level to give the Cardinals the credence necessary to shove them into the BCS. Even if Boise State were to lose to Fresno State, Ball State likely would not receive an at-large BCS bid.
