The initial BCS standings were released today and Iowa comes in at #6 behind Florida, Alabama, Texas, Boise State, and Cincinnati. The computers love Iowa (as they have all season) and the Hawks come in at #3 in the computer average behind Florida and Alabama. The Coley Matrix poll has Iowa #1 and the Billingsly has Iowa #4...those are the 2 that are dropped for the average. The others have the Hawks in 2nd or 3rd place.

There are 3 other Big Ten schools in the standings: #13 Penn State, #19 Ohio State, and #21 Wisconsin. Another Iowa opponent, Arizona also comes in at #22 thanks to some love from the computers. So that means, Iowa has beaten 3 teams in the top #25 of the BCS. That's pretty impressive if you ask me.

If Iowa wants to move up in the standings, they are going to need a little bit of help. I believe Iowa can surpass Boise State just by continuing to win due to the much more difficult schedule. But the other 4 teams are going to have to lose. Here are their remaining schedules.

Florida: @Mississippi State, Georgia, Vanderbilt, @South Carolina, Florida International, Florida State, SEC Championship Game
Alabama: Tennessee, LSU, @Mississippi State, Chattanooga, @Auburn, SEC Championship Game
Texas: @Missouri, @Oklahoma State, UCF, @Baylor, Kansas, @Texas A&M, Big 12 Championship Game
Cincinnati: Louisville, @Syracuse, Connecticut, West Virginia, Illinois, @Pittsburgh

Alabama and Cincinnati seem to have the toughest stretch ahead. Tennessee throttle Georgia their last time out, LSU is obviously a good team, and Auburn has one of the best offenses in the country (plus it's a HUGE rivalry game). Then it's likely the Alabama will meet Florida in the SEC Championship Game, so one of those teams will have to lose.

Cincinnati's biggest tests will be against West Virginia and then at Pittsburgh to end the season. But don't count out Louisville either as Cincinnati will be without its senior leader at QB Tony Pike who injured his arm this weekend against South Florida.

So, if Iowa wins out and Alabama and Cincinnati lose, that'll be 3rd. So here is where we need help. Maybe OK State can knock off Texas, or Bama will lose to Auburn but still beat Florida for the SEC crown. And, there are a million other scenarios, but none out it will really matter if Iowa cannot win out. So here's to beating Michigan State and the next 4 after that.