* Oklahoma to lose at Oklahoma State. This eliminates the Sooners and hands the Big 12 South title to Texas Tech. But it still could leave Texas at home and in the mix at 11-1.
USC would then want Missouri to beat Texas Tech, but that still leaves a possible Texas vs. Alabama or Florida title game.
Another bad scenario: Texas Tech, currently No. 7 in the BCS, beats Missouri to win the Big 12 and jumps back over the Trojans.
Odds: It could happen.
See why USC seems so close, but is yet so far?
Here's one sure-bet way USC can get to No. 1 in the BCS by Sunday.
Florida State beats Florida, Alabama loses to Auburn, Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma, Texas loses to A&M, Baylor shocks Texas Tech in Lubbock.
BCS title game -- USC vs. Utah.
Fallout: Penn State files a lawsuit.
Congress forms the House BCS Un-American Activities Committee.
Blitz package
* USC's weekend weather report: reign. Notre Dame fired Tyrone Willingham on Nov. 30, 2004, three days after losing to the Trojans at the Coliseum, 41-10. Willingham left with a 6-5 record that year and was 21-15 overall in three seasons. "From Sunday through Friday, our football program has exceeded all expectations, in every way," Notre Dame Athletic Director Kevin White said at the time. "But on Saturday, we've struggled."
Four Novembers later, Notre Dame still struggles on Saturdays. Kevin White is now the AD at Duke. Notre Dame's record this season entering the weekend: 6-5. Charlie Weis, 28-20 in his fourth year as Irish coach, is coming off a home loss to Syracuse. USC defeated Notre Dame last year, 38-0.
News conference next Tuesday?
* Sixty-four schools are now bowl eligible to fill 68 spots. Fourteen schools have five wins and at least one game remaining. Hawaii is 6-5 with two games left but needs seven victories to qualify because the Warriors play a 13-game schedule.
* Notre Dame's bowl destination if it loses to USC and finishes 6-6 is complicated. The Sun Bowl would love the Irish to pair against the Pac-10's No. 3 team, maybe Oregon, but there's a scenario in which the El Paso bowl would have to take a Big East team that finishes 7-5. That scenario involves Rutgers defeating Louisville this weekend. The Sun Bowl erroneously reported this week it had 6-6 Notre Dame locked up for its Dec. 31 game. Notre Dame gets to the Sun Bowl only if the Irish lose to USC and Rutgers loses to Louisville.
