Clouds still shading BCS predicament

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The people who run the Bowl Championship Series would never admit it, but a sense of relief must have come over them as Virginia Tech and UCLA both had their unbeaten seasons come to an emphatic halt.

The number of unbeaten major college football teams is down to three - Southern California, Texas and Alabama - and the Crimson Tide are dragging a hurting offense down the stretch. One loss by either of the three clears up all the potential controversy and sets up a perfect Rose Bowl matchup.

Then again, if two of those teams lose, oh what a mess for the BCS.

Miami and Arizona cleared some of the clouds around the national title picture Saturday.

The Wildcats did in the Bruins in resounding fashion, 52-14.

"I'm just frustrated, that's the biggest thing - to go out there and put on a performance like that," said UCLA quarterback Drew Olson, whose team finally put itself in a hole too deep to overcome.

The Hurricanes did the BCS the biggest favor.

Virginia Tech was creeping up on Texas and Southern Cal in the BCS standings. A perfect regular season by the Hokies had the potential to recreate last year's three-doesn't-fit into two BCS scenario, with Virginia Tech playing the role of left-out Auburn.

Miami put all that to rest with a 27-7 win in Lane Stadium. And while the Hurricanes were at it, they put an end to any talk of Marcus Vick sneaking off with a Heisman Trophy in his first season as the Hokies' starting quarterback.

Most important for Miami, though, is the Hurricanes have championships in their grasp again. They control the Coastal Division race in Atlantic Coast Conference. Win out and a spot in the first ACC title game is theirs. Catch a break or two, and Miami could be playing in the Rose Bowl.

"This puts us right where we want to be - things will get real interesting," Miami coach Larry Coker said after his team played party-pooper in Blacksburg.

Interesting indeed.

Southern Cal and Texas each have three games, including the Big 12 title game for the Longhorns, and remain on track for a Rose Bowl showdown.

Alabama has two games and a possible Southeastern Conference championship tilt. But the Tide have scored only one offensive touchdown in their past three SEC victories. With Louisiana State coming to Tuscaloosa on Saturday and a trip to Auburn the week after, just getting to Atlanta is going to be a daunting task for the Tide.

Still, it's possible an unbeaten SEC champion will be left out of the BCS title game for a second consecutive season.

But for those who root for chaos in the hope that it will lead to the BCS being blown up, try this one on for size.

There are now nine one-loss teams in the six power conferences. It's possible there could be as many 11 one-loss squads and no unbeatens after the regular season.

If two of the remaining unbeatens fall and one team finishes the regular season perfect, which one-loss team moves to the head of the pack and into the Rose Bowl? Miami? Penn State? LSU?

And how far would Southern Cal or Texas fall if they stumble down the stretch? Could the Trojans or Longhorns sustain a close loss and still play for a national title?

Don't get too comfortable, BCS guys. There are still plenty of pratfalls possible.