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Is the meek ready to inherit the college football world?
At first glance, it appears so.
There they are, like three peas in a pod sitting near the top of the latest Bowl Championship Series rankings, which were released Sunday night.
Yes, as expected Oregon, fresh off a victory at USC, moved to the top of the mountain, with previous No. 1 Auburn dropping to No. 2, followed by BCS busters Texas Christian, Boise State and Utah.
All are a combined 24-0 and, at least on paper, in perfect position to play for the national title if either the Ducks or Tigers stub their toes.
But it’s a paper ranking, and most know it.
Because sitting behind them, lurking like a cat ready to leap at its prey, is once-beaten Alabama, which about a month ago was given up for dead after losing to South Carolina.
But the dominoes have fallen in perfect order for the defending champion. Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri and Michigan State, all once undefeated, now are among the beaten. And this sets up the Crimson
Time for a run to the championship.
What about TCU, Boise State and Utah, who are ranked nos. 3, 4 and 5, respectively, in the BCS?
That’s the argument in college football this week. Does the undefeated trio have a better case than once-beaten Alabama?
Most say no and I can agree, especially when you examine the formula.

I have said the schedule strength, or in some cases the lack of it, shouldn’t be
the determining factor, and ESPN analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Jesse Palmer have said the same. But it seems we’re alone in this belief.
It’s clear if Alabama beats No. 12 Louisiana State this week, No. 21 Mississippi State next week, wins the Iron Bowl against Auburn on Nov. 26 and follows with a victory in the SEC title game on Dec. 4, it’s on to the BCS title game.
Is it fair, especially if TCU and Boise State take care of business?
Perhaps not. But this is the BCS era and the formula it has created.
Maybe it is time for a playoff. But that’s an argument for another day.
ROSE BOWL TOP 5
1. Boise State (7-0)
TCU jumped the Smurfs in the BCS rankings this week and would be the Rose Bowl’s pick by rule if the season ended this weekend. But I’m sticking with Boise State. I expect the Broncos to run the table, and I’m picking Utah to beat the Horned Frogs. The question is will that jump the Utes ahead of the Smurfs next week? I say no.
2. Wisconsin (7-1, 3-1 in Big Ten)
The Badgers, at No. 8, are the highest-rated Big Ten team in the BCS rankings, which is one of the tiebreakers in the Big Ten. It sets up nicely the next few weeks for Wisconsin, which is seeking its first trip to the Rose Bowl since making back-to-back trips in 1999 and 2000. They have four winnable games, including this week against Purdue.
3. TCU (9-0)
The Horned Frogs, who routed Nevada Las Vegas, play a BCS
elimination game of sorts at No. 6 Utah this week. A win puts then in
position for Pasadena. Forget about it. I like the Utes at home.
4. Ohio State (8-1, 4-1)
The Buckeyes don’t control their own destiny for the Rose Bowl, but that could change with a win at No. 15 Iowa in a few weeks. A victory over the Hawkeyes could earn Ohio State enough brownie points to move ahead of Wisconsin in the BCS, which would be the tiebreaker if there was a three-way tie between the Badgers, Buckeyes and Michigan State.
5. Oregon (8-0, 5-0)
The Ducks fall from this list, but only because we think they are destined for the BCS title game.
Others: Utah (8-0), Iowa (6-2, 3-1), Stanford (7-1, 4-1), Oregon State (3-3, 2-1), Arizona (7-1, 4-1).
BCS TOP 5
1. Oregon (8-0)
Gang Green survived a second-half scare to beat USC. Now it appears the only roadblocks in the way of a trip to Glendale, Ariz., and the BCS title game are a home game against Arizona and a roadie against rival Oregon State in the Civil War. This is a train that doesn’t appear to have any stops, except at the Valley of the Sun.
2. Auburn (9-0)
The Tigers stayed on course by routing Mississippi. But the Iron Bowl looms.
3. Boise State (7-0)
The Broncos dropped to No. 4 in the BCS. But AP still has them as No. 2. Wake up, computers.
4. Alabama (7-1)
The Crimson Tide routed Tennessee 41-10. Next up is a trip to LSU, which battled Auburn before losing a few weeks ago. Expect the Tide to do the same.
5. Nebraska (7-1)
It’s also looking good for the Cornhuskers, who are back in contention after ending Missouri’s perfect season on Saturday. Nebraska needs to win out, then hope for others to stumble.
Others: TCU (9-0), Utah (8-0), LSU (7-1), Oklahoma (7-1), Wisconsin (7-1).