NCAA Football: 5 Teams With BCS Championship Hopes Who Will Choke Before The Season Is Over
As NCAA Football heads into Week 7 action, there are still a good number of teams who still have a shot at the BCS Championship Game. With 16 unbeaten teams remaining inside the AP Top 25 rankings and no top 25 team having more than one loss, the two tickets to the big game are far from punched.
None of the top six teams have lost yet and, if any one of them can manage to go the distance without choking, it is almost guaranteed they will have a spot in the season finale. As Alabama continues its title defense, an undefeated season or possibly even a one loss season would all but guarantee a trip to the Rose Bowl on January 6, 2014. Let’s be honest about the rest of Alabama’s season. With the Tide having narrowly escaped Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M in their second game, there really is only one high hurdle left to leap over: LSU. With that being a home game and Alabama clicking on all cylinders again this year, do not expect the Crimson Tide to be one of the contenders that chokes.
Another team that has a legitimate shot at going the distance and punching a ticket is currently third-ranked Ohio State. Although the Buckeyes are not playing in a very strong conference this season, they really only have one tough game remaining. As long as Ohio State can close out the season with a road win over rival and number 18-ranked Michigan, the Buckeyes will likely coast into the Championship Game.
With that being said, it is time to break down five teams who are looking strong right now but will choke before the season ends and miss out on a trip to the Rose Bowl and the BCS Championship.
Isaac Comelli is a Los Angeles Dodgers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @IsaacComelli, “Like” him on Facebook or follow him on Google.
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5. Texas A&M
Manziel and his squad has to finish the season with two tough away games, first against LSU and then against Missouri. I would be extremely surprised if Texas A&M escaped with wins in both of those weeks and a second loss on the year all but eliminates their chances of making it to the big game.
4. Florida State
Not only do the Florida State Seminoles have to go to Clemson to face the current number three-ranked team in the nation, the Noles still need to beat number 13 Miami and go on the road in the season finale to their rival Florida. The chances of Florida State remaining unbeaten are slim and thus, a National Championship bid is not likely. Expect the Noles to choke somewhere down the road.
3. Stanford
Stanford still has a tough schedule remaining in a tough Pac-12 Conference that is rarely a disappointer for late-season surprises. With Oregon State, USC, Notre Dame, number 11 UCLA and number two Oregon still remaining on the schedule, the Cardinals have a tall order ahead. The chances they make it out undefeated or even with just one loss are not good and I have a sneaking suspicion Stanford will not have what it takes to make it to the big game.
2. Clemson
One team in a solid position is Clemson. You could argue their toughest opponent of the season came in their very first week as the Tigers escaped with a three-point win over the current number seven ranked Georgia. Nevertheless, Clemson still must host and beat Florida State and finish the season with a tough road game against South Carolina. Although I doubt Clemson will get tripped up by any of the unexpected teams, expect the Tigers to lose to the Seminoles and/or the Gamecocks and miss the BCS Championship.
1. Oregon
As I already mentioned, Oregon themselves have a tough task as they have to visit Stanford in a month. In a nationally televised game, all of the pressure could weigh down on the Ducks. Further, including the game against Stanford, Oregon must face three ranked teasm before the end of the season and 4-1 Oregon State will play host to the Ducks in the final game of the season. Oregon does not have this season wrapped up in a nice package and may very well be upset and knocked out of the BCS Championship.
