University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Holds Top Ranking in Bowl Championship Series
Oct. 26, 1998
By Richard Rosenblatt
Associated Press
The No. 1 team in the nation is No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series standings.
The BCS brought the computer age to college football on Monday, releasing its first standings with UCLA No. 1 and Ohio State No. 2.
Since the preseason, Ohio State (7-0) has been an overwhelming No. 1 choice in The Associated Press' media poll and the USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll. UCLA (6-0) has been No. 2 in the polls the past three weeks.
The new standings, which use polls, computer ratings, strength-of-schedule and win-loss records, will determine which teams play in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4 for a chance at the national championship.
In the BCS, who's No. 1 isn't the major objective since the top two teams in the final standings on Dec. 6 get tickets to Tempe, Ariz. The BCS will list 20 teams in its standings each week, assigning a point total based on the averages of each of the four categories. The team with the lowest point totals is rated highest.
Although the Bruins were No. 2 in both polls, they were No. 1 in the three computer ratings and listed as having the toughest schedule.
UCLA leads the standings with a 3.04 point total; two points for poll average, one for computer average, 0.04 for strength of schedule and zero for losses. Ohio State has 4.31 points; one for poll average, 2.67 for computer average, 0.64 for strength of schedule and zero for losses.
Tennessee was third, followed by Kansas State, Florida State, Nebraska, Florida, Texas A&M, Wisconsin and Penn State.
The standings select the Fiesta Bowl teams only. The other BCS bowls - the Rose, Sugar and Orange - then follow a predetermined selection process.
UCLA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BOB TOLEDO ON THE BCS POLL
"It really doesn't matter to me whether we are ranked first or second on the BCS poll. The important thing is to have the chance to play in the championship game and you can do that by being ranked first or second.
"There is a lot of football left to be played, and at this time, the only thing that matters is that you remain ranked in the top two. Hopefully, we'll continue to take care of business on the field and stay in position to play for the national championship."