Everyone seems to be focused on two scenarios for the BCS title game. Actually, there are seven, and here's a look at each one.
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One thing to remember is the top five in the BCS standings this week: 1. Florida State; 2. Ohio State; 3. Auburn; 4. Alabama; 5. Missouri. No other team has a shot at playing for the national title.
1. Florida State vs. Ohio State
What would have to happen: Florida State beats Duke in the ACC championship game, Ohio State beats Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game
Buzz: If the top two teams in the BCS win their conference championship games Saturday, they will play for the title.
2. Florida State vs. Auburn
What would have to happen: Florida State beats Duke, Ohio State loses to Michigan State, Auburn beats Missouri in the SEC championship game
Buzz: No. 3 Auburn would move into the No. 2 slot if the Buckeyes were to lose.
3. Florida State vs. Missouri
What would have to happen: Florida State beats Duke, Ohio State loses to Michigan State, Missouri beats Auburn in the SEC championship game
Buzz: Yes, Mizzou is one spot behind Alabama in the BCS standings this week. But if Mizzou were to beat the same Auburn team that Alabama lost to last week, Mizzou is going to jump the Tide and move into second in the BCS. A matchup that can't happen among the top-five teams is Alabama vs. Florida State for the title.
4. Ohio State vs. Auburn
What would have to happen: Florida State loses to Duke, Ohio State beats Michigan State, Auburn beats Missouri
Buzz: Again, relatively simple. If No. 1 loses and Nos. 2 and 3 win, Nos. 2 and 3 move up one spot each.
5. Ohio State vs. Missouri
What would have to happen: Florida State loses to Duke, Ohio State beats Michigan State, Missouri beats Auburn
Buzz: Just like we discussed earlier -- Mizzou would move up to second if it beats Auburn and either FSU or Ohio State loses. In this scenario, it's the Seminoles that lose.
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6. Alabama vs. Auburn
What would have to happen: Florida State loses to Duke, Ohio State loses to Michigan State, Auburn beats Missouri
Buzz: Oh, my goodness -- an all-SEC national title game for the second time in three seasons would lead to an "Alabama Armageddon" in laid-back Los Angeles for a few days. In this scenario, Nos. 1 and 2 lose and Nos. 3 and 4 each move up two spots -- and folks in SoCal find out what "obsessed fan" means up close and personal. And don't talk about leftover Raiders fans. Truly obsessed Alabama and Auburn fans make hard-core Raiders fans look like folks that go to ice-skating exhibitions.
7. Alabama vs. Missouri
What would have to happen: Florida State loses to Duke, Ohio State loses to Michigan State, Missouri beats Auburn
Buzz: Another scenario in which there would be an all-SEC final (and wouldn't league commissioner Mike Slive and his boys love that in the final season of the BCS). In this scenario, Nos. 1, 2 and 3 lose, and Nos. 4 and 5 move into the top two spots, though Mizzou would be No. 1 and the Tide No. 2.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
