That’s all but the end for the Big Ten season. Illinois and Wisconsin have taken the bold step of playing games beyond the conference schedule, but the other nine teams are waiting for bowl selections or are done for the year. There weren’t too many surprises this week, but few loose ends were sewn up.

I’ve got a few thoughts about it all…eleven to be precise.

1. 1.Ohio State: The throw-back uniforms looked good, but didn’t help your performance.

I liked the old uniform. Of course, I’m the type that tends to think simple is better – not that their current uniforms aren’t simple.

The rivalry game against Michigan lacked a lot of luster in more ways than one, though. It’s been well documented for a couple of years now that the game just doesn’t mean as much as it used to. That’s thanks, of course, to Michigan’s collapse. This game used to decide the conference championship, and often who would get a shot at the national title.

The last couple of years, though, Michigan hasn’t even been bowl eligible, let alone conference title eligible. The game has been more of a layup before bowl selections for Ohio State than a real rivalry.

Game of the Week

Temple at Ohio

2:00pm, 27 November, ESPNU

Game time question for Temple:

Can the defense hold the Bobcats to less than 100 yards rushing?

With the #1 rushing defense in the conference, Temple must have another stellar performance by their defensive line. Only once has Ohio run for less than 100 yards and still come away with a win, and they haven't broken the 100 yard barrier in any of their losses.  The Owls on the other hand have only 4 times allowed opponents to rush for greater than 100 yards, and in those games they are 3-1.

Game time question for Ohio:

Can the defense for force the Owls to the air?

With Temple's Bernard Pierce ranked #8 nationally in rushing yards, it is probably a solid bet that Temple will attempt to dominate the game on the ground. If Ohio can find a way to stymie Pierce and force Temple to pass, it will give their secondary an opportunity to come away with a pick six.  Twice this season, the Ohio defensive backs have scored on an interception in wins decided by less than seven points.

I love it when a plan comes together!

For the second time this season, my 10 team playoff selection criteria has worked perfectly.  Selecting the 6 BCS conferences champions and the 4 highest ranked non-champions in the BCS rankings has produced a playoff which allows all ten of the top ranked teams into the playoff.  Perfect.  I'll say it again.

I love it when a plan comes together.

With this the last full week of play and championship week the next, it is beginning to look more and more like we have identified all the teams which will play in the playoff.  Of course, there are a few teams which could find themselves left out.  If I had to identify which teams are locks for the playoff it would be Florida, Texas, Alabama, TCU, Boise State, and Ohio State.  All of these teams either have a high enough BCS ranking to protect them from an unexpected loss or their remaining schedule is weak enough that they should win out.  Of course, Ohio State is a lock because they've already clinched the Big Ten conference title.

With 6 teams virtually guaranteed a place at the table, I would have to say Georgia Tech and Cincinnati remain the two teams most at risk.  Georgia Tech plays Georgia this week and then Clemson for the ACC Championship.  A loss to Georgia would remove them from the top 8 of the BCS and out of position for an at large bid if they were to lose to Clemson.  A loss to Clemson would move them out of the conference champions category, but with a win over Georgia, they will likely be able to secure an at large bid.  Cincinnati is the only undefeated team who with one loss can fall out of the running for the Campus BCS Bracket.  I still maintain that the BCS won't accept a one loss Big East champion into the national title over an undefeated TCU if they right combination of losses occurred with Texas, Florida, and Alabama.  If the Bearcats drop their final game against Pittsburgh, which is completely possible looking at their rushing defense, then Cincy could wind up being the odd team out in the BCS top 10 not in our playoff.  For both Paul Johnson and Brian Kelly, they control their own destiny and that's the best position to be in.

And now, the Week 13 BCS Playoff....

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