The Bowl Championship Series posted its first set of rankings today, an annual occurrence that takes place after Week 7 of the college football season. As expected, Oregon ““ UCLA’s next opponent ““ sits near the top, but not at the top.
Oklahoma took the top spot this week, while Oregon checked in at No. 2. Oregon did take the No. 1 spot in both polls that factor into the BCS rankings: the Harris Interactive Poll and the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Oregon was even No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, which is no longer used in the BCS.
Oklahoma came in at No. 3 in the Harris Poll and No. 4 in the Coaches’ Poll, but was bumped up to No. 1 in the BCS by the computers: four of the six had the Sooners at No. 1, while the other two had them at No. 3. The BCS drops the highest and lowest computer rating, and keeps four to average.
Despite being No. 1 in all the polls, the Ducks’ four computer ratings were seventh, eighth, ninth and ninth. Strength of schedule probably held Oregon back (see: wins over New Mexico, now 0-6, and Portland State, of the Football Championship Subdivision, or I-AA).
The other Pac-10 teams that made it into the BCS rankings this week were Stanford (No. 12) and Arizona (No. 18).
Curious about UCLA? Since the Bruins didn’t receive a vote in either poll, the six computers are the only barometer they have. Here’s a glimpse at how UCLA did in the pure number ratings:
Jeff Sagarin (ELO_CHESS): 45
Billingsley Report: 43
Dr. Peter Wolfe: 43
Colley Matrix: 52
Anderson and Hester: 42
Massey Ratings: 31 (not yet updated to reflect Week 6)