THE BIG PICTURE

With the possible exception of Oklahoma, no BCS team had the Saturday that USC had, and unlike the Sooners, the Trojans didn’t have to break a sweat.

Oklahoma, undefeated and top-ranked in the BCS, rolled to a 77-0 victory over hapless and helpless Texas A&M;, moving a week closer to the national championship game Jan. 4 at the Sugar Bowl.

Idle USC probably solidified its hold on the No. 2 spot. We say probably because nobody really knows what Jerry Palm’s computer ranking system is likely to spit out come Monday morning.

It’s a safe bet Oklahoma will be No. 1, with the Trojans at No. 2.

The best news of all for the Trojans is that the pack of chasing one-loss teams was thinned from five to two, giving USC a better than great shot at the Sugar Bowl if it wins its final three games.

No. 3 Florida State lost to Clemson.

No. 4 Miami lost to Tennessee.

No. 5 Ohio State defeated Michigan State.

No. 6 Virginia Tech lost to Pittsburgh.

No. 7 Louisiana State was idle.

Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech are history as far as playing in the title game. Ohio State and Louisiana State must win the rest of their games to have a shot at the title game.

Looking to move up is Michigan, which could shoulder its way past Ohio State with a victory over the Buckeyes on Nov. 22.

Looking for a break is Texas Christian, a non-BCS team that is the only other unbeaten Division I-A team besides Oklahoma.

-- Elliott Teaford