1) Assuming the following teams are already in BCS bowls — Alabama, Florida, Texas, TCU, Ohio State, ACC winner (Georgia Tech/Clemson), Pac-10 winner (Oregon/Oregon State), Big East winner (Cincinnati/Pittsburgh) — which two teams do you think deserve to fill the two remaining at-large BCS spots?

Steven Lassan: Assuming Oklahoma State loses to Oklahoma, I think the two at-large spots will go to Boise State (assuming they beat Nevada) and Iowa. Although the loser of the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh game merits consideration, Iowa seems more likely to get the nod due to its large traveling fan base. If Boise State loses to Nevada, the loser of Pittsburgh-Cincinnati should get the nod as the other at-large team.

Mitch Light: Boise State, assuming of course the Broncos beat Nevada Friday night. (I’m picking the Pack!). The other team would be Georgia Tech, if the Jackets lose to Clemson in the ACC title game. If Tech wins that, I’d go with Iowa, though Oklahoma State, if it beats OU, deserves a strong look.

Jake Veyhl: If Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma, it’ll be hard to keep the Cowboys out of the Fiesta Bowl considering that bowl’s ties with the Big 12 (assuming Texas goes to the national championship). The Pokes are a 9.5-point underdog in the Bedlam game so that might not happen, but I’ll stick with that pick and go with Boise State. I don’t think you can keep the Broncos out of the party over a two-loss Big Ten team. The only other possibility might be Cincinnati if the Bearcats lose to Pitt on the final weekend.

2) There is a chance — if both Ole Miss and LSU lose rivalry games this week — that only Florida and Alabama will finish above .500 in SEC play. To what do you attribute the mediocrity of the rest of the “nation’s toughest conference”?

Steven: This is certainly not the best season for the SEC, but I think the conference is solid in terms of depth and that’s a big reason why there is a chunk of teams right at .500. Alabama and Florida are two of the elite teams in the nation and there is a pack of good teams behind them — Arkansas, Ole Miss and LSU. Tennessee, South Carolina and Auburn may not be top-15 teams, but they aren’t bad either. I think this is a case of a conference full of depth, but not a lot of great teams after Florida and Alabama.

Mitch: Well, if you have two dominant teams, which this league does, there are going to be a lot of losses to go around. It’s simple math. On top of that, there is just a lot of parity in the league. I don’t want to call it mediocrity, because I think the teams are better than mediocre. There are just a bunch of good, but not great teams in the middle of the SEC.

Jake: I think the SEC’s reputation as a defensive conference was turned upside down this year and that caused a bit more parity. I feel like I watched more shootouts between teams not named Florida, Alabama and LSU this year than any other in recent memory. Georgia and Arkansas, among others, had tendencies to put up and give up big point totals. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.

3) Will Rich Rodriguez be on the sideline next season for Michigan.

Steven: Yes, I think Rich Rodriguez will be back at Michigan next year. Although the first two years haven't been easy, he deserves a chance to get his players in place and the team showed some improvement this year. The cupboard wasn't exactly stocked when Rodriguez took over and it will take some time to get the players in place to run the schemes he wants, particularly on offense. I think the Wolverines will be back in a bowl next year, but they may be two years away from contending for a Big Ten title.

Mitch: Yes. I’d be shocked if he is not.

Jake: I think the only way he won’t be on the sidelines next year is if the ongoing investigation into excessive practice time yields some alarming results that create a public relations nightmare. Rodriguez deserves at least one more year to right the ship, but breaking the rules and causing the program to go on probation could be a fire-able offense.

4) Do you think Boise State will have any trouble with Nevada this week?

Steven: Nevada is going to give Boise State all they can handle. The Wolf Pack lost by seven to Boise State last season and fell 69-67 in a memorable overtime affair two seasons ago. Although the Wolf Pack got off to a slow start, they've been one of the hottest teams in the country over the last eight weeks and have all of the offensive weapons to keep pace with the Boise State offense. If they are going to pull the upset, they will need an improved effort from their pass defense, which ranks 119th nationally. The Broncos are tough to beat in Boise, but the Wolf Pack will be a difficult out.

Mitch: Yes. I’m picking the Pack. Nevada not only leads the nation in rushing, but has the nation’s No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 rushers based on yards per carry.

Jake: I think this game will be a fun one, but no, I don’t see the Broncos having much trouble. Boise State has the best defense Nevada will have faced since the beginning of the season so I don’t see the Wolf Pack putting up 50 points like they have in four of their last five games.

5) Alabama is 2-7 in the Iron Bowl when the game is played in Auburn. Any chance the Tide struggle against the Tigers?

Steven: Considering this is a rivalry game and Alabama doesn't have a high-powered offense, Auburn can keep this one close. However, Auburn’s lack of depth on defense will eventually cost them in the second half. Auburn has enough weapons on offense to put some pressure on Alabama, but the Crimson Tide have allowed more than 10 points only once in their last six games. Expect the first half to be close, but the Crimson Tide pull away in the second half to a win by more than 10 points.

Mitch: Struggle? Yes. Lose? No. I think it will be competitive, but ultimately Alabama’s running game (against a suspect Tiger run defense) will be the difference.

Jake: Absolutely. Don’t underestimate the power of the Iron Bowl. I’m still picking Alabama to win, but the disheartened Auburn team from 2008 that got run over is in the past. Alabama wins by single digits on another huge game from Mark Ingram.

Year Two of the Campus Challenge returns as Jake is out to defend his championship. The rules: Each person picks a quarterback, running back and wide receiver to make up his "team" for the week in an effort to amass as many passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards and total touchdowns as possible. Whoever has the best stats as the end of the year wins. All players selected must be from a BCS conference team playing an FBS opponent, and each editor can only use a player once during the season.