How far will BYU drop in rankings?

So, how far does BYU drop in the rankings after losing at TCU?

Will it be a little ripple, a big splash or right out of sight? And does it matter, since no non-BCS team has ever made it to one of the big-money bowls after suffering a loss?

BCS teams receive forgiveness for losses. The outsiders do not.

Rankings.

It all depends how the voting folks view BYU losing a conference game on the road to a ranked opponent. And the way BYU lost — looking lost — may add weight to the free-fall.

But being ranked does matter. It counts on national college roundup TV shows and Associated Press Top 25 capsules each week, and that gets a team exposure. Being ranked could make the difference in recruiting, and having a spot in the Top 25 at the end of the season certainly carries clout heading into 2009. Ranked teams have a better chance of climbing in the polls if they win out than those who are completely out.

BYU's undefeated season is gone. The goal of reaching a BCS bowl game is a candle flame that's all but blown right out. Defending their MWC title is now out of the Cougars' hands and has been placed in that of other league members, leaving BYU with an outside shot at earning at least a piece of the title.

It's interesting to see how pollsters react to top-10 teams suffering defeats this season — and there have been a lot of examples.

Former No. 1 USC and a top-5 Florida team have received the most forgiveness. Both lost to unranked opponents in league play (Oregon State and Mississippi, respectively). USC stayed in the top 10 (No. 9 Associated Press) after the loss in Corvallis. No. 4 Florida dropped to No. 12 after the loss at home to Ole Miss but is now right back in the hallowed top 10.

When No. 3 Ohio State lost to No. 1 USC, the Buckeyes dropped to No. 13. When No. 8 West Virginia lost to Eastern Carolina, the Mountaineers were No. 25. No. 10 Auburn lost to LSU and found itself 15th. When No. 3 Georgia got clipped by Alabama, it tumbled to No. 11.

No. 8 Wisconsin lost to a bad Michigan team and dipped to No. 18. But when No. 1 Oklahoma lost to No. 5 Texas, it ended up No. 4. Respect.

No. 4 LSU lost to Florida and found itself at No. 13. Missouri was hot and ranked No. 4 when Oklahoma State beat the Tigers and dropped them to No. 11.