We’re Number 1!
LSU moved back into the top spot in the polls this week after a surprising upset by Illinois. We don’t have to root for Michigan anymore (who lost to Wisconson anyway) since Ohio State dropped all the way down to 7th after their loss at home. That left room for each of the other top five teams to move up a notch. LSU is far from being a universal choice for #1 (I imagine their status as the most penalized team in the SEC has something to do with that. There are also some other interesting teams left at the top. Oklahoma and Kansas both got some first place votes and Oregon did too.
According to the BCS rankings LSU is currently #1 followed by Oregon at #2. Both of those rankings are probably well deserved. But taking up the next three spots are three different teams from the Big 12. Kansas (10-0), Oklahoma (lost to Colorado) and Missouri round out the top five. Three teams from the same conference in the top five? It’s not unheard of, I am sure, but let me take a look at one very important statistic: strength of schedule.
LSU has the 17th hardest schedule in the nation.
Oregon has the 3rd.
The three teams from the Big 12? Tied for 43rd, 65th, and tied for 86th. Oh, and Ohio State, who I have been dumping on for a few weeks? 46th.
I have no idea how the strength of schedule is determined; that might be an interesting research project some day when I have some time. Florida, for example, is ranked 4th in this category. Georgia is 21st. USC (the California version) is ranked 100th. 
Who has Oregon played to deserve the strength of schedule? Based on current rankings, 3 top-10 teams (California, USC, and Arizona State). LSU has played more ranked teams (again, based on current rankings) but fewer currently in the top ten. Either way, it could be shaping up as an interesting end to the season. Georgia now seems like the most likely opponent for LSU in the SEC title game. Even if LSU loses to both Mississippi and Arkansas they will still tie with Auburn and Alabama for the SEC West title, and they own the tie-breaker having defeated both of those teams. Georgia controls their own destiny in the SEC East; win, and they’re in. It’s not a cakewalk; they have a game at Kentucky coming up, and then the finish the season against Georgia Tech.