No changes atop BCS standings

Nov 16, 2008 - 11:16 PM MORRISTOWN, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Following a relatively upset-free weekend in college football, Alabama and Texas Tech remained first and second, respectively, in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings released Sunday.

The only two remaining unbeaten teams from BCS conferences, the Crimson Tide (11-0) and Red Raiders (10-0) currently are on a collision course to meet in Dolphin Stadium for the national title in early January.

However, both Alabama and Texas Tech will have to overcome major obstacles to remain atop the BCS standings.

One of five remaining undefeated teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the Crimson Tide are ranked first in both the USA Today coaches' poll and the Harris Interactive poll for a BCS average of .9787 out of a possible 1.000.

Alabama, which rolled to a 32-7 victory Saturday over Mississippi State, looks to close out its perfect regular season next weekend against rival Auburn.

If they beat the Tigers, the Crimson Tide will need to beat red-hot Florida in the SEC title game to secure a berth in the BCS championship game.

Texas Tech, which was idle Saturday, faces a daunting challenge next weekend when its visits high-powered Oklahoma in a game that could determine the winner of the Big 12 South Division.

The Red Raiders close out their regular season at home against lowly Baylor on November 29.

With an average of .9698, the Red Raiders are ahead of Big 12 rival Texas, which is third in the BCS with an average of .8911.

Texas (10-1), which hosts Texas A&M in its regular-season finale on Thanksgiving, will need help to get to the second BCS spot after losing to the Red Raiders on November 3.

One team that likely controls its own BCS destiny is fourth-ranked Florida (9-1), which could be in position to play for a second title in three years. The Gators have two regular-season contests left, then the meeting with Alabama in the SEC title game.

Oklahoma (9-1), Southern California (9-1), Utah (11-0), Penn State (10-1) and Boise State (10-0) held their previous respective rankings from No. 5 to No. 9.

Although they are from non-BCS conferences, both the Utes and the Broncos have a chance to land a BCS bowl berth. A finish in the top 12 would guarantee the higher-ranked team a selection to one of the five BCS games.

Ohio State (9-2), Georgia (9-2) and Oklahoma State (9-2) rounded out the top 12.