USC Getting Bye While the Others Sort It Out

The newly formed USC/Arkansas/Florida State/Georgia Tech/Hawaii Fan Club took a tough hit Friday, with Arkansas losing to Louisiana State, 55-24, and doing USC’s pursuit of the bowl championship series title game no favors.

USC is second and LSU third in the current BCS standings. Had Arkansas defeated LSU, the Trojans could have virtually clinched a berth in the Sugar Bowl. Had LSU struggled to victory, the Trojans could have strengthened their case in the “subjective components” of the BCS formula.

Instead, the Razorbacks went down to Baton Rouge and coughed up a USC worst-case scenario.

“And the debate will continue to grow,” CBS’ Craig Bolerjack said as the final seconds ticked down on the Tigers’ 31-point victory.

“I can’t imagine what local television and radio talk shows are going to be about this week -- about LSU No. 3 in the BCS and this win today, putting 55 up against Arkansas. And the fuel for the fire for all of this is going to be USC sitting there playing Oregon State, a weaker opponent,” on Dec. 6.

Added analyst Spencer Tillman: “I mean, that schedule has been in place since the season began, so it’s not like anything came out that was unsuspected. But with this landslide win today by LSU, left sitting there in the three hole, [and a] nondescript opponent for USC -- the debate will rage on.”

And USC, idle this weekend, is left to channel-surf today and hope for:

* Florida State to beat Florida (Channel 2, 12:30 p.m.). As CBS studio host Tim Brando tried to explain Friday, “If you’re LSU, you want to play Florida in the SEC championship game [on Dec. 6], because they would give the Tigers’ schedule strength a tremendous boost.”

* Georgia Tech to beat Georgia (Channel 7, 10 a.m.). Brando: “Remember, LSU gets no strength-of-schedule credit for beating Georgia [in a possible SEC championship game matchup], because the Tigers already beat the ‘Dogs in the regular season. But LSU doesn’t want to root against Georgia just yet. LSU needs Georgia to beat Georgia Tech so the ‘Dogs stay in the BCS top 10 and the Tigers get quality-win component points for having beaten Georgia already.”

* Hawaii to beat Alabama (ESPN, 4:45 p.m.). Hawaii lost to USC this season, Alabama lost to LSU. A Hawaii victory over Alabama would give USC a .25-point bump in the BCS strength-of-schedule component.

Alabama is a three-point favorite playing on the road, but ESPN’s Lee Corso has tabbed Hawaii as his upset special of the week. It could be another long day for the Trojans.

Also available for viewing this weekend:

TODAY

* Vermont at UCLA

(Fox Sports Net 2, 5 p.m.)

Ben Howland is on the sideline at Pauley Pavilion, making his regular-season debut as UCLA basketball coach. Steve Lavin is in Alaska with a microphone in front of his face. For the first, and last, time this season, the UCLA basketball program is exactly where UCLA basketball fans want it.

* Montreal Canadiens

at Edmonton Oilers

(ESPN Classic, 3 p.m.)

A replay of the body-numbing, teeth-rattling outdoor NHL game, held in subzero conditions at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, played only last weekend. A freeze-dried classic.

* Notre Dame at Stanford

(Channel 7, 5 p.m.)

Tyrone Willingham returns to the site of the springboard that launched him to Notre Dame. Is anyone better off today for the move? The won-lost records for Willingham’s old and new schools this season are the same: 4-6.

* Denver Nuggets at Clippers

(Fox Sports Nets 2, 7:30 p.m.)

Throwback Thanksgiving for the Clippers went like this: Uniforms looked better, team did not. Has it really been 19 years since the Clippers moved north from San Diego? Is there any way at this late date we can throw them back? Have you heard the latest about the Chargers’ bridge-burning feud with the city of San Diego? When Alex Spanos looks at Donald Sterling, does he actually see a trail blazer? Hasn’t history taught anyone anything around here?

SUNDAY

* New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts

(Channel 2, 10 a.m.)

Phil Simms calls Peyton Manning “the best player in the NFL, period,” but talk is cheap. Manning’s next playoff victory will be his first, so the Colts’ next two games should provide a telling postseason tuneup: against 9-2 New England at home, followed by a visit to 9-2 Tennessee on Dec. 7.

* Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams

(Channel 11, 10 a.m.)

Michael Bennett, Coffee Non-Achiever, is back in the Viking starting lineup after knocking himself out of last Sunday’s game by drinking a cup of coffee in the locker room at halftime and then losing his lunch moments later. Very, very disturbing story. Starbucks is now everywhere.

* Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

(Channel 2, 1:15 p.m.)

The Broncos play this one without defensive tackle Daryl Gardener, suspended by the team for criticizing Coach Mike Shanahan. Has freedom of speech been outlawed in Denver? The Broncos claim Gardener violated a clause in his contract requiring a player to give his best effort and loyalty to his team. According to the Broncos, every NFL player has this clause in his contract. Despite this, the Raiders are still planning to field a team Sunday.

* Indiana Pacers at Lakers

(Fox Sports Net, 6:30 p.m.)

We have been hearing this could be a preview of the NBA Finals. The Pacers have the league’s best record at 14-2. They have won eight in a row. They are 7-0 on the road. They appear to be the elite of the East, where the small big men roam.

* “60 Minutes”

(Channel 2, 7 p.m.)

Lawrence Taylor, on “60 Minutes.” It was only a matter of time.