USC falls, Stanford flies
After a 55-21 loss to Stanford, USC dropped to No. 22 in the AP poll on Sunday, while the Cardinal jumped all the way up to No. 14.
The loss was the Trojans' worst in 43 years, since a 51-0 smashing by Notre Dame in 1966, and was Stanford's second straight win in the Colisseum.
USC had not been ranked lower than 13th since 2002, Pete Carroll's second season as coach, while Stanford is at its highest since 2001.
How it affects the Bruins:
If UCLA gets to 6-6, it still might not be enough for a bowl game, as the Bruins will likely finish in seventh place despite the record. Even a 7-5 finish with a win over USC in Week 12 might not be enough to leapfrog to the sixth spot.
I'll try and play out some scenarios later today, when I get back to LA.
I'm in the Seattle Airport right now, about to fly home. Will stay in touch.
Thanks
Jon
Jon you really need to look into the Armed Forces Bowl and the Pointsettia Bowl. Both take Bowl eligible Pac-10 teams this year I believe. Up to 7 teams from the Pac-10 could go this year.
If both UCLA and USC finish 7-5, UCLA would be in 6th place and USC 7th. UCLA will have the head-to-head against USC, causing this to happen. If UCLA finished 7-5 and USC 8-4, UCLA is 7th but should still get to a bowl game because they'll have 7 wins. If UCLA finishes at 6-6, that's when it's really up in the air whether UCLA gets to a bowl or not.
If we win our final two games (and that's still a big IF), I have a hard time believing that UCLA wouldn't be picked up for a bowl, even if it's not as one of the Pac-10's guaranteed six.
I think it's far more important to realize that we absolutely positively must get this win on saturday. There's no choice about it. Win by any means necessary, even if it's a 1 point victory in 4OT. We need this saturday, and that's all. We got beat by a mediocre ASU team last year with 3 pick-6s. SUC should be a LONG ways away in the minds of our players.
I thought that the bowls aren't on contract to take the Nth ranked team. They generally stick to the formula, but I think they have the right to choose any team that they want. UCLA is kind of spoiled in that regard because we cover the LA television market.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.
I thought that the bowls aren't on contract to take the Nth ranked team. They generally stick to the formula, but I think they have the right to choose any team that they want. UCLA is kind of spoiled in that regard because we cover the LA television market.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.
Dean, you may be right. Lets see what Jon can dig up on these 2 bowl games. I know Cal had to play in Armed Forces in 2007 and other Pac-10 teams have been in the Pointsettia I believe.
These are the bowl games that the Pac-10 usually participate in:
Maaco Bowl Las Vegas
SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl
Emerald Bowl
Pacific Life Holiday Bowl
Brut Sun Bowl
@dean: The Pac-10 is the one conference forces bowls to take teams based on conference ranking.
@bbruin: When Cal played in the Armed Forces Bowl, it was a Pac-10 tie-in. It no longer is.
Basically, UCLA is forced to wait and figure out what conferences don't meet their contracted tie-ins. The EagleBank or Humanitarian may be options...
Let's just make sure we get the "W" vs. ASU before we start talking about Bowl Games...And, oh yeah, the following week is USC...Can we do it? Sure, but let's just WIN first...
Anon - look at the options. The Mountain West wont fill its 5 bowl slots and maybe not even 4 of them if TCU goes BCS. Army (which is supposed to go to the Eagle bank), Utah, BYU are the only teams that will make it. Wyoming may get in. That leaves the Humanitarian and/or Armed Forces MWC slots for Pac-10 #7 (with 6 or 7 wins).