Oklahoma, Virginia Tech Lead BCS

Oklahoma and Virginia Tech are the new top two teams in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

With its 31-14 win over Nebraska, Oklahoma moved from second to first place in the BCS standings released Monday, while Virginia Tech advanced into second ahead of Florida State.

The teams that finish 1-2 in the final BCS standings released Dec. 3 will play in a national title game in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3.

The Sooners (7-0) and Hokies (8-0), 1-2 in the Associated Press poll and USA Today/ESPN coaches’ poll, are two of the remaining three unbeaten teams among major colleges. The other unbeaten, TCU (7-0), is in ninth place because the Horned Frogs play one of the nation’s weakest schedules--111th of 115 Division I-A schools.

Nebraska (7-1) fell from first to fourth place, with Miami in fifth place, down one spot after a 42-31 win over lightly regarded Louisiana Tech. Florida (7-1) remained in sixth place.

There’s sure to be more shuffling during the final month of the season, beginning Saturday with Virginia Tech at No. 3 Miami (6-1), and No. 10 Clemson (8-1) at No. 4 Florida State (8-1). On Nov. 11, No. 1 Oklahoma is at No. 24 Texas A&M;, and the Sooners could end up playing No. 5 Nebraska in a rematch in the Big 12 title game Dec. 2. Florida State also has a game against No. 6 Florida (7-1) on Nov. 18.

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Michael Vick, on crutches and unable to put weight on his right foot, thinks his ankle is improving.

But the Virginia Tech quarterback believes he must practice by Wednesday if he hopes to start for the No. 2 Hokies in their showdown at No. 3 Miami on Saturday.

Vick sprained his right ankle when he was sacked just before halftime of Saturday night’s 37-34 victory over Pittsburgh.

“I can’t really say what’s going to happen this week. . . . I think by Wednesday, I’m going to have to start getting some reps in practice. You can’t go a whole week without practicing,” Vick said during a conference call.

Hokies Coach Frank Beamer said Vick’s availability could be a game-time decision, even if the sophomore doesn’t practice all week. Vick agreed that he could play without practicing, but said fifth-year senior Dave Meyer “would have to start.”

Miami Coach Butch Davis would not speculate Monday whether Vick will play, but that wasn’t the case the day before.

“He’s not hurt,” Davis said Sunday. “If you think he’s hurt, you’re kidding yourself.”

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Gary Godsey is moving back to tight end after two starts at quarterback for Notre Dame. . . . Freshman kicker Brett Cimorelli will make his first start for Florida State on Saturday against No. 10 Clemson. . . . Buffalo Coach Craig Cirbus, whose teams are 18-45 games in six seasons, was fired two days after the Bulls absorbed a 73-10 loss to Northern Illinois, their worst defeat in 68 years. Athletic director Bob Arkeilpane said Cirbus will coach the remaining three games.