The same concern from fans and media arises each college football season around late October, and that is the potential for an unbeaten team to be left out of the BCS Championship Game. In most seasons, everything works out fine and all of the debate and consternation is for nothing. There have been exceptions, however, like Auburn in 2004. And past non-BCS teams with perfect records such as Boise State, TCU and Utah have argued that they deserve a shot at the title.

By Mitch Light (@AthlonMitch)

Here are previews and predictions for the 10 best college football games this weekend.

The greatest sport in the world is under assault from many different sides. Conference realignment talk has replaced conversation about who’s number one. Cheating coaches are ruining their schools’ reputations and jeopardizing future success. And players are succumbing to temptation out of anger because they feel exploited.

What a mess.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Post-Week 8 SEC Power Rankings

Check out all of our college football rankings.

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

Athlon sums up a full slate of college football with the most important things to take away from this weekend.

Winners

By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven on Twitter)

10 Key Storylines to Watch for Week 8

The national and regional debate over college football’s best conference happens every season. The criteria for this argument tends to sway towards your favorite conference (fans) or your target audience (many in the media). Should it be based on national title contenders, number of above-average teams, or strength from top to bottom? That’s part of the fun and frustration each year. The SEC has won five national titles in a row and is generally considered the best, but many across America are claiming the Big 12 is best after the first half of the season.

By Mitch Light (@AthlonMitch on Twitter)

At the midpoint of the 2011 season, it's time to take a look at the first half and predict how the second half will turn out in the SEC.

First-Half Review

The South Carolina Gamecocks have struggled on offense this year but still stand at 6-1. Preseason All-America wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will have to lead the way down the stretch with star running back Marcus Lattimore lost for the season with a knee injury. Jeffery has 30 catches for 451 yards and five touchdowns in seven games on the year. That’s not bad, but it is nowhere near the pace of last season’s 88 receptions for 1,517 yards and nine scores. Meanwhile at Clemson, five-star freshman Sammy Watkins is lighting up opponents.