All football teams in the Bowl Championship Series are not created equal.

The University of Wisconsin is an example of a BCS heavyweight; Syracuse is an example of a BCS lightweight.

The relevance here is that the Badgers were an opponent of the University of Akron last weekend, and the Orangemen are the Zips' opponent this weekend.

Wisconsin, which has played in January bowl games the past four years, was expected to roll at home Saturday against UA and did just that by a 38-17 score. Syracuse, which has been to one bowl game in eight years, lost on the road 30-10 to Northwestern on the same day and will play host to the Zips on Saturday as a modest favorite.

''This week is our week to show we can really play. We have to step it up a notch,'' said Zips defensive captain Doug Williams, a senior linebacker. ''We have to work hard, practice hard, give it all we got and show we are a team that can win a BCS game.''

The BCS was created to showcase teams in six conferences — the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pacific 10 and SEC — and give them direct entry into January bowl games, including one for the national championship.

Syracuse is a member of the Big East, but it has never been in a BCS bowl game. In fact, the Orangemen have compiled an overall record of 7-28 and a mark of 2-19 in the conference from 2005-07.

So this is a chance for the Zips to put the loss to Wisconsin behind them and handle a high-profile opponent that appears to be beatable.

''This is a very capable BCS win for us,'' said Zips offensive captain Merce Poindexter, a senior tight end. ''Last week, we had a lot of young guys playing and got that first game out of the way. So we have to take great strides this week and go out and get the first win of the season.''

Of course, having a chance to win a game like this and actually doing it are two different concepts.

The Orangemen will be playing at home in a Carrier Dome that likely will have 35,000 screaming partisan fans. The Zips will have to adjust to the crowd noise that is magnified
by playing indoors.

So, too, UA must not make the mental and physical mistakes that spoiled some periods of quality play against Wisconsin.

''We have to show some great, great improvement this week across the board. That's our test,'' UA coach J.D. Brookhart said. ''I challenge these guys to play with great effort. I thought our guys played with great effort [against Wisconsin]. Now, our effort has to be right. That's where we need to grow.''

Against Wisconsin, the Zips' defense had eight new starters — including two redshirt freshmen on the line — that allowed 404 yards rushing. The Badgers averaged 6.6 yards per play, had 27 first downs and registered a 36 minutes to 24 minutes edge in time of possession.

The UA offense did have its moments, especially in the passing game. The Zips had 297 yards of total offense, averaged 5.0 yards per play and had 19 first downs.

The offensive line, despite each of its five members being called for one false start, only allowed two sacks. Quarterback Chris Jacquemain completed 22-of-36 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Deryn Bowser, a junior-college transfer who was hampered in the preseason by a foot injury, led the receivers with five catches for 76 yards.

''Offensively, I saw some sparks, some things that could happen,'' Brookhart said. ''Defensively, we got steamrolled. We had some young kids on the defensive line and they have one of the best o-lines I have seen.''

The game against Syracuse is the first between the two teams. UA then has its Mid-American Conference and home debut Sept. 13 against Ball State.