• The Bowl Championship Series standings are determined by averaging the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Harris Interactive College Football Poll and six computer rankings. The total rankings determine which college football teams will play in bowl games and in the BCS Championship Game. Standings are released weekly during the final eight weeks of the college football season.Official Site: Methodology

  In 2009, the first BCS rankings were released on October 18, with the Florida Gators topping the Alabama Crimson Tide for the top spot.

• 1. Compiled by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of FameOfficial Site: Methodology
  2. Released weekly the last eight weeks of the NCAA football seasonOfficial Site: Methodology
  3. Averages the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Harris Interactive College Football Poll and six computer rankingsOfficial Site: Methodology
  4. Determines college football teams for bowl games and the BCS Championship GameOfficial Site: Methodology
  5. Formerly included the AP College Football Poll, teams' records and strength of scheduleOfficial Site: 2004 Weekly BCS Standings (756 KB)
  6. Playoff system has been suggested to replace the BCS, but has been turned downFOX Sports: Officials: BCS Too Healthy to Change
  7. Barack Obama favors an eight-game playoff system and has suggested he'd like to lobby for a playoff as presidentThe New York Times: Obama's First Fumble

• Methodology

  Each week, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame take the results of the Harris Poll and the USA Today Coaches' Poll, which are each voted on by humans, and averages them with six computer rankings. Each of the polls rank the top 25 teams and, in the case of the computer rankings, the highest and lowest rankings are discarded. Each ranking is converted to a percentage and the team with the highest average percentage is ranked first, with lower percentages following.Official Site: Methodology

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