FALLING INTO PLACE

BCS controversy? What controversy? With three weeks remaining in the college football season, only two teams from major conferences remain undefeated: No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Texas Tech. Pretty convenient, huh? But if one of them tumbles, or both, there’s no telling where this thing will take us.

ALABAMA

Today, off

Could Texas Tech jump them with an impressive win over Oklahoma?

Nov. 29 vs. Auburn

Crimson Tide have lost six straight Iron Bowls. That skid likely ends.

Dec. 6 vs. No. 4 Florida, SEC championship

Gators might be the nation’s hottest team.

TEXAS TECH

Today at No. 5 Oklahoma (8 p.m., ABC)

Easily the biggest stumbling block left for the Red Raiders.

Nov. 29 vs. Baylor

Maybe a trap game if they knock off Oklahoma? Doubtful.

Dec. 6, possible Big 12 championship

The North champion, No. 13 Missouri, awaits on a neutral field in Kansas City.

If they can’t take care of business, here are seven games that could help decide who plays in the BCS national championship game Jan. 8 in Miami:

TODAY

No. 15 Michigan State at No. 8 Penn State (3:30 p.m., ESPN)

Penn State can wrap up the Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl berth with a win in its finale. If everyone in front of them loses in the next few weeks, could the Nittany Lions somehow climb all the way to No. 2?

No. 14 BYU at No. 7 Utah (6 p.m.)

This is more about a BCS bowl berth for the Utes than the title game, but some voters likely will support them if they finish unbeaten and no other team does. If not, No. 9 Boise State, also undefeated, could garner that Cinderella attention.

NOV. 29

No. 4 Florida at Florida State

This is the Gators’ biggest obstacle before Alabama. On the road, this could be a little dangerous.

No. 5 Oklahoma at No. 12 Oklahoma State

Even if the Sooners get past Texas Tech, they still must survive this in-state rivalry game to stay in the hunt.

No. 24 Oregon at No. 21 Oregon State

Why does this game matter? Because if Oregon State dodges Arizona on the road tonight, this would be for the Pac-10 title. It also would keep No. 6 USC from being a conference champion, which could be a BCS factor.

DEC. 6

SEC championship: No. 4 Florida vs. No. 1 Alabama

If they both reach this game without losing again, this basically becomes a national semifinal. If not, it still could be critical for a one-loss team trying to impress the voters and computers.

Big 12 championship: No. 13 Missouri vs. South Division winner

If Texas Tech loses, the South likely will be decided by a three-way tiebreaker. It would take the fifth tiebreaker —- the team ranked highest in the BCS on Nov. 30 —- to determine the winner. That could be No. 3 Texas, but don’t count out Oklahoma making a big jump.

 Computer-generated image by JEMAL R. BRINSON / Staff
dominos with Alabama and Texas Tech logos