Of course, as Robert DeNiro said in Heat, there is a flip side to that coin. The games against Cinci and the 'Cuse (especially Syracuse) won't help that sterling computer ranking and then the game against West Virginia is just going to be downright difficult to win. Rutgers does not have great team speed on defense and the Mountaineers have blinding speed with that spread option. Plus, the game is in Morgantown. So while Rutgers is in a better spot to sneak in than people realize (or want to admit), they have a really difficult challenge facing them on December 2nd.

Arkansas. I think this is the sleeping giant. The Razorbacks are only #7 in the BCS rankings as they are hurt by the computer score (it is unclear why), but they are climbing in the polls and are the only team still undefeated in SEC play. Plus, their only loss was to #3 USC (granted, it was a beating). They probably should have been defeated by two touchdowns at Alabama, but once they survived that ugly game, it has been smooth sailing for the Hogs. They have a high risk, high reward finish to the season as they get #9 LSU (a truly scary team) on Friday the 24th and then Florida in the SEC championship tilt. It won't be easy to come out of all that at 12-1 (or even 11-2, to be honest) but with the LSU game at home and the showdown with Florida on neutral turf, it is possible. A 12-game winning streak, undefeated season of SEC play, and lone loss to USC will speak volumes. That said, they might need a more lopsided result on Saturday to get past the Michigan-Ohio State loser, especially given the fact that they don't have any "conflicts" with either team.

The really interesting scenario involving Arkansas goes like this: Michigan drubs Ohio State and is #1. USC runs the table but wins ugly in a couple of games and still seems a little shaky when the dust settles. Rutgers loses to West Virginia. And Arkansas throttles both LSU and Florida as detailed above. Who is #2? Ohio State would probably have to give way to SC or Arkansas, but then do you go with the SEC titan on the rise or the team that beat them to open the season? I'm telling you, this wild, wacky stuff (RIP, Johnny Carson).

No matter how it all unfolds, there is sure to be controversy and heated debate. It is the middle of November and there are still seven teams with a legitimate shot at the national title game. Six of those teams are going to play each other (unless something strange happens with Arkansas and they don't win the SEC West) and the seventh, Rutgers, will be squaring off with the #8 team. Two games - USC versus Notre Dame and Florida versus Arkansas - have "battle for number two" written all over them, but are entirely dependent on games that come before them. In fact, while there are seven teams in the mix, it could ultimately be much ado about nothing if Michigan loses a tight one on Saturday.