PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Pac-10 is ranked first in four of the six computers used by the Bowl Championship Series. And it ranks third in the other two.
But while the strong ratings are a nice boost for conference pride, it may not mean much when BCS pairings are announced Dec. 6.
The league is hoping to land an at-large berth, worth $4.5 million to the conference. If it doesn't, look for renewed debate about whether the conference should drop its round-robin format and go to an eight-game league schedule.
That would allow teams to add a fourth nonconference game, and most would likely schedule an easy victory at home.
Oregon State coach Mike Riley sees both sides of the issue. Though extra non-conference games could help the conference land an extra BCS berth, he believes the nine-game conference schedule is the best way to crown a champion.
