Tax dollars are hard at work trying to find the USC Trojans a path to the national title that includes losing to a 25-point underdog, but the new administration doesn't swear in until 12 days after this season's Bowl Championship Series national title game in South Florida.
So, for now, it's fourth and long for USC, and the Trojans are trailing late, which sounds a lot like the Oregon State game.
You wonder why President-elect Barack Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his running mate instead of Hillary Rodham Clinton?
It's starting to make sense now.
On Oct. 29, 2003, Biden participated in a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on why the BCS should be allowed to live.
The "Big Three" automobile executives didn't get roughed up any worse.
Biden remarked of the BCS: "It looks un-American. It really does. It looks unfair. It looks like a rigged deal."
Biden's forceful action on the issue has led to . . . five more years of the BCS.
It seems clear now, Clinton never had a chance as a vice-presidential selection in an Obama Administration.
Sounds as if bailout help is on the way, USC, maybe in six or seven years, but not nearly in time for tonight's giblet gala between Texas vs. Texas A&M.
So what now?
With two weekends left, USC is No. 5 in the BCS standings but still boxed out by the Big 12 and Southeastern conferences.
Ohio State got from No. 7 to No. 1 last year, and Louisiana State rose from No. 7 to No. 2 on the last day, but this is a different day.
USC this week wants:
* Texas A&M to upset Texas in Austin. The Aggies' third straight win over the Longhorns would hand Texas a second loss and move USC up to at least No. 4.
Odds: Forget about it.
* Auburn to upset No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Auburn has won six straight in the series, but the Tigers were never 5-6 entering any of those Iron bowls. And Alabama was never 11-0.
A seventh straight Auburn win probably eliminates Alabama even if the Crimson Tide rebounds to beat Florida in next week's SEC title game.
Odds: Don't count on it.
* Florida to lose at Florida State. USC's dream scenario is for Bobby Bowden's team to hand Urban Meyer's team a second loss, with Florida rebounding to knock Alabama out next week.
Odds: It's not impossible.
Of course, this opens the door for an all-Big 12 national title game (if Texas beats A&M).
