The Big Picture

The bowl championship series formula is used to ultimately determine the No. 1 and 2 teams that will play for the national championship at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 3. Miami earned a trip to the Rose Bowl by beating Virginia Tech, 26-24, Saturday. Miami’s opponent will be determined when the final BCS standings are released Dec. 9. The ratings use a formula that incorporates the Associated Press media and coaches’ polls, eight computers, strength of schedule, won-lost record and bonus points for big wins.

BCS RANKINGS

Before Saturday’s games. Next rankings will be released Monday:

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Colorado might be the best team in the nation right now, but the siestas it took against Fresno State in the season opener and Texas on Oct. 20 probably means settling for a Tempe fiesta with Oregon. Should Tennessee slip Saturday, however, the Ducks’ flight south could take them to Pasadena.

TENTATIVE BOWL SCHEDULE

ROSE BOWL

at Pasadena

National Championship Game

Jan. 3; Miami vs. BCS No. 2, 5 p.m. (Ch. 7)

Rose Bowl officials on hand for the Miami-Virginia Tech game in Blacksburg, Va., and hoping for a blowout victory by the Hurricanes had some anxious moments in a wild fourth quarter. However, sweaty palms were replaced by handshakes as Miami held off Virginia Tech and was extended the Rose Bowl invitation.

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ORANGE BOWL

at Miami

Jan. 2; BCS vs. BCS, 5 p.m. (Ch. 7)

With Tennesse in the driver’s seat for the second spot in the national championship game, Florida will probably be left with an in-state drive to its bowl game. Atlantic Coast champion Maryland is the Gators’ likely opponent, and hopefully a more worthy one that perennial ACC power Florida State was.

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SUGAR BOWL

at New Orleans

Jan. 1; BCS vs. BCS, 5:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)

Nebraska probably needs a Tennessee loss in Saturday’s Southeastern Conference championship game to stay in the national championship picture. Otherwise, it figures to serve as an imposing opponent for Big Ten champion Illinois.

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FIESTA BOWL

at Tempe, Ariz.

Jan. 1; BCS Big 12 vs. BCS Pacific 10, 1:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)

Citrus Jan. 1, at Orlando, Fla., Michigan (8-3) vs. SEC No. 2, 10 a.m. (Ch. 7)

THE REST

Tentative schedule. All times Pacific

Bowls Matchups

New Orleans Dec. 18, North Texas (5-5) vs. Colorado State (6-5), 5 p.m. (ESPN2)

GMAC Dec. 19 at Mobile, Ala., Marshall (10-2) vs. East Carolina (6-5), 5 p.m. (ESPN2)

Tangerine Dec. 20, ACC No. 4 or 5 vs. Big East No. 5, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Las Vegas Dec. 25, USC (6-5) vs. Utah (7-3), 12:30 p.m. (Ch. 7)

Seattle Dec. 27, Georgia Tech (7-4) vs. Stanford (8-2), 1 p.m. (ESPN)

Independence Dec. 27, at Shreveport, La., Big 12 No. 6 vs. SEC No. 6 or 7, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Galleryfurniture.com Dec. 28, at Houston, Big 12 No. 7 vs. CUSA No. 3, 10:30 a.m. (ESPN)

Music City Dec. 28, at Nashville, Boston College (7-4) vs SEC No. 6 or 7, 2 p.m. (ESPN)

Holiday Dec. 28, at San Diego, Big 12 No. 3 vs. Washington (8-3), 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Motor City Dec. 29, at Pontiac, Mich., Toledo (9-2) vs. CUSA No. 4, 9 a.m. (ESPN)

Alamo Dec. 29, at San Antonio, Big 12 No. 4 vs. Iowa (6-5), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Insight.com Dec. 29, at Phoenix, Big 12 No. 5 vs. Syracuse (9-3), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Sun Dec. 31, at El Paso, Washington State (9-2) vs. Big Ten No. 5, 9 a.m. (Ch. 2)

Humanitarian Dec. 31, at Boise, Idaho, At-large vs. WAC No. 3, 9:30 a.m. (ESPN)

Silicon Valley Classic Dec. 31 at San Jose, Fresno State (10-2) vs. At-large, noon (FSN)

Liberty Dec. 31, at Memphis, Tenn., Brigham Young (11-0) vs. Louisville (10-2), 1 p.m. (ESPN)

Peach Dec. 31, at Atlanta, ACC No. 3 vs. SEC No. 4, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Outback Jan. 1, at Tampa, Fla., Ohio State (7-4) vs. SEC selection, 8 a.m. (ESPN)

Cotton Jan. 1, at Dallas, SEC selection vs. Big 12 No. 2, 8 a.m. (Ch. 11)

Gator Jan. 1, at Jacksonville, Fla., Virginia Tech (8-2) vs. Florida State (6-4), 9:30 a.m. (Ch. 4)

Citrus Jan. 1, at Orlando, Fla., Michigan (8-3) vs. SEC No. 2, 10 a.m. (Ch. 7)