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SCS.com The BCS standings revealed themselves for the first time this year, and Ohio State was out in front by a small margin over Southern Cal and Michigan. All three teams control their own destiny because OSU and UM will play in late November. However, all three teams must win out to keep their national title hopes alive. Ohio State has the easiest road, with the four worst Big Ten teams left before Michigan. UM has a frustrated Iowa team and a number of lower-tier Big Ten teams on the schedule before the showdown in Columbus. USC, meanwhile, has the toughest road, with home games against Oregon, California, Notre Dame, and UCLA consecutively beginning in early November.

If USC was to be beaten by one of those quality opponents, the doors would open up, and chaos would ensue. The winner of the Louisville/West Virginia would have a strong case, though South Florida, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers could all pose a problem for the winner. The team that beats USC would also have a chance. The SEC champion or a one-loss Texas team could earn a spot in Glendale, Arizona too. Then again, USC could always win the rest of their games, and there would be no BCS controversy. (Don't forget to insert sarcasm in the previous line.)

DATE BOWL MATCHUP

Dec. 19 Poinsettia BYU vs. Navy

Dec. 21 Las Vegas Washington vs. Air Force

Dec. 22 New Orleans UTEP vs. Middle Tennessee State

Dec. 23 New Mexico Colorado State vs. San Jose State

Dec. 23 Birmingham SMU vs. USF

Dec. 23 Armed Forces Utah vs. Houston

Dec. 24 Hawaii Hawaii vs. Washington State

Dec. 26 Motor City Northern Illinois vs. Indiana

Dec. 27 Emerald Washington vs. Florida State

Dec. 27 Independence Texas Tech vs. Vanderbilt

Dec. 28 Holiday Texas A&M vs. Cal

Dec. 28 Texas UAB vs. TCU

Dec. 28 MPC Computers Idaho vs. Miami (FL)

Dec. 29 Champs Sports Virginia Tech vs. Iowa

Dec. 29 Music City Georgia vs. NC State

Dec. 29 Sun Oregon vs. Missouri

Dec. 29 Insight Michigan State vs. Kansas State

Dec. 30 Alamo Purdue vs. Oklahoma

Dec. 30 Liberty Tulsa vs. Alabama

Dec. 30 Meineke Car Care Rutgers vs. Wake Forest

Dec. 30 Chick-fil-A South Carolina vs. Clemson

Jan. 1 Gator Boston College vs. Notre Dame

Jan. 1 Cotton Nebraska vs. Tennessee

Jan. 1 Outback Penn State vs. LSU

Jan. 1 Capital One Arkansas vs. Wisconsin

Jan. 1 Rose [BCS] Michigan vs. USC

Jan. 1 Fiesta [BCS] Boise State vs. Texas

Jan. 2 Orange [BCS] Auburn vs. Georgia Tech

Jan. 3 Sugar [BCS] Florida vs. Louisville

Jan. 6 International Central Michigan vs. Pittsburgh

Jan. 7 GMAC Southern Miss vs. Kent State

Jan. 8 *BCS TITLE* Ohio State vs. West Virginia

WHO'S HOT

Air Force - The Falcons are 3-0 in Mountain West Conference play, and their two losses were to Tennessee and Navy. They have a great chance to win the MWC if they can beat a talented Brigham Young team on October 28th.

Pittsburgh - Louisville and West Virginia need to be aware that they aren't the only contenders in the Big East. Pittsburgh, 6-1, is riding a four-game winning streak into their big game versus unbeaten Rutgers this Saturday.

Wisconsin - The Badgers destroyed rival Minnesota 48-12 last weekend and moved to 6-1 on the season. Wisconsin has blown out its last three opponents after losing to highly ranked Michigan, so it is conceivable that the Badgers could finish the season with only one loss.

Colt McCoy - The Texas freshman led his team to an impressive win over Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout and has a six to one touchdown to interception ratio. McCoy has Texas looking very good and secure for years to come.

Upsets - Vanderbilt upset SEC contender Georgia on the road, getting the SEC monkey off their back. Vandy has lost three SEC games this year by a combined 12 points. Indiana beat a visiting Iowa team 31-28. Wide receiver James hardy caught all three of quarterback Kellen Lewis' touchdown passes in the upset. And I also think it was an upset that Western Michigan held Heisman contender Garrett Wolfe to only 25 rushing yards, diminishing his Trophy chances.

WHO'S NOT

Melee In Miami - The Florida International and Miami football teams shamed their universities after an all-out brawl broke out in the 3rd quarter of their game last Saturday. Two FIU players were kicked off the team, and 29 players were suspended. This was a disgrace to college football, and stricter actions need to be taken against any schools that allow their players to interrupt a game like that again. Oh yeah, Miami won the football game.

BCS Computer Rankings - The computer rankings used in the BCS disappointed me when they were released with the standings on Monday. The computers had West Virginia ranked 14 and Louisville ranked 10. California (6) was ranked ahead of Tennessee (12), while Texas managed to be the 15th best team in college football. Ohio State received all but four of the 1st place votes in all three major polls (Harris, Coach, AP) but somehow managed to be ranked third.

ACC Coastal Division - I do not want to say the Atlantic division is better than the Coastal division, but the Atlantic division is better than the Coastal division. Deserving Georgia Tech sits atop the standings, while disappointing Virginia Tech and Miami lay below. Duke, Virginia, and North Carolina have won three games in 19 combined outings.

Minnesota - After a disgraceful blowout loss to Wisconsin, Minnesota is now 0-4 in Big Ten conference play. Then again, they have wins over Kent State and Temple to tout!

Injuries - The Heisman race just got a lot thinner after Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson broke his collarbone and will be out for the regular season. Navy quarterback Brian Hampton, meanwhile, broke his leg early in a game against Rutgers. He will likely be out for the year. Hampton was Navy's leading passer and rusher. Surprising Washington will be without quarterback Isaiah Stanback for the rest of the year also. And finally, Stanford lost its senior quarterback Trent Edwards for the year after injuring his foot, but he will be ready for the NFL combine.

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