Stanford's BCS Outlook: Still Cloudy

Stanford held steady at No. 6 in the latest BCS rankings, gaining a little ground on No. 5 LSU. Where does that leave the Cardinal's postseason plans? Very much up in the air.

CBS Sports is projecting an Oregon-Boise State title game, freeing up the Rose Bowl selection committee to tab Stanford.

According to ESPN analyst and Stanford graduate Rod Gilmore, the Rose Bowl is leaning toward taking TCU instead of Stanford if Boise State makes the national championship. While the Rose Bowl's director of media says she would be excited to welcome a new team to Pasadena, it seems unlikely that the selection committee would pass up the chance to maintain the traditional Pac-10 vs. Big 10 matchup and select a TCU team with comparable attendance numbers over an 11-1 Stanford team that ranked fifth or sixth in the BCS. Cite a source, Rod.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Andrea Adelson are split on Stanford. Schlabach projects an Oregon-Auburn title game, relegating the Cardinal to San Antonio. Adelson projects a Ducks-Broncos championship and has Stanford taking on Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

Ted Miller predicts an Auburn loss to Alabama on Friday, opening the door for Boise State or TCU to play in the National Championship Game and for Stanford to play in Pasadena. Miller also had this to say:

Stanford is the nation's best one-loss team: LSU, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, blaa, blaa, blaa. Stanford would whip your butt. That is all.

The BCS bowl picture could be shaken up some more this week. In addition to the Iron Bowl, Boise State travels to Nevada, Arizona travels to Oregon, and LSU travels to Arkansas. Stanford will look to take care of its business against Oregon State.