Topsy-Turvy BCS

Two weeks ago, four undefeated teams sat atop the BCS standings: Alabama, Kansas State, Oregon, and Notre Dame.  Maybe, possibly, one of these teams would lose a game, but surely there would be at least one undefeated team left out in the cold when the BCS Title match-up was determined. 

While football purists would argue about what would be the best match-up against Alabama (because surely they  weren't going to lose; why they were so good, they could beat a bad NFL team, right?), there was clearly no doubt who ESPN wanted in that title game: Notre Dame vs. Anybody.  Guaranteed TV ratings gold. But how could the Irish possibly jump two spots in the standings - especially after almost losing to Pitt! - to get that spot?

You all know what happened: Alabama loses last week to drop to 4th, and last night, in an unbelievable parlay, BOTH Kansas State and Oregon lose, and ND will jump to Number One when the BCS releases its standings later today.  Not only that, but should Alabama beat Auburn next week, which they should, and should they win the SEC title game, which they should, then no doubt they will be the team that will face the Irish in the title game.  Also, we will get to hear during the endless period between the end of the season and the BCS title game the persistent bleatings of the SEC Loyalists telling us how great the SEC is.  And you thought the attack ads leading up to the election were bad.

The one team that could throw a monkey wrench into the wonderful little scenario is the University of Southern California who take on Notre Dame in Los Angeles next week.  Ranked number one in many pre-season forecasts, the Trojans have defined the term "underachieving" this season.  They have lost four times this season, and continue to be surrounded by the shadowy doings (changing uniform numbers, under-inflated footballs) of their shady coach, Lane Kiffen.  While underachievers they may be, they are still a talented team, certainly more talented than the Pitt Panthers that ND struggled to beat in triple overtime, and Notre Dame had better be on top of its game in LA next week.  Can't imagine the BCS turmoil that would be created should USC win that game.