Look for Iowa to probably be 6th in today's BCS standings

The BCS Guru knows how this stuff is tabulated. His track record in past years is documented here.

The Guru has laid it out for this afternoon's first official BCS standings announcement. The results:

1. Florida, 2. Alabama, 3. Texas, 4. Boise State, 5. USC, 6. Iowa, 7. LSU, 8. Cincinnati, 9. TCU, 10. Miami (Fla.), 11. Oregon, 12. Georgia Tech, 13. Virginia Tech, 14. Penn State, 15. Oklahoma State.

To go to the Guru's site, click here.

What does this mean? It means ... no surprises in the top three.

It means Boise State isn't to be dismissed casually.

It means both the Big Ten and Big 12 have just one team in the top 13.

It means Iowa is given the "respect" so many Hawkeye fans seem to crave, at least by the computer formulas. As well it should with its 7-0 record and its strength-of-schedule.

But here's something else to consider: These teams all have five or six games remaining.

In 2002, Miami played Ohio State in the BCS title game, and Iowa met USC in the Orange Bowl. The following was the first BCS rankings of that season, issued on Oct. 20 of that year, as seen here:

1. Oklahoma, 2. Miami, 3. Notre Dame, 4. Virginia Tech, 5. Georgia, 6. Ohio State, 7. Washington State, 8. Michigan, 9. LSU, 10. Texas, 11. N.C. State, 12. Florida State, 13. Iowa, 14. USC, 15. Oregon.

A lot changed in the final half of that season. A lot will change in the final half of this one.