Picture for BCS taking shape

Southern California and Auburn finished perfect regular seasons in very different ways.

No. 1 USC wasn't at its best, but Reggie Bush was and his two scintillating long TD runs helped the Trojans hold off UCLA 29-24 on Saturday.

After the game, USC fans tossed oranges on the field and the Trojans celebrated a likely invite to the Orange Bowl to play for the national title.

"I don't see how they couldn't take us," USC quarterback Matt Leinart said. "We're in great position, and I think they'd be crazy to keep us out."

No. 3 Auburn, meanwhile, put itself in the BCS with a 38-28 victory over Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference title game. Jason Campbell was impeccable for the Tigers, tossing three touchdowns and gaining over 400 total yards.

But unlike the Trojans, the Tigers' 12-0 record probably wouldn't be enough to get them a spot in the national title game. Auburn has been stuck behind USC and Oklahoma in the BCS standings, and unless the Trojans or Sooners lost Saturday, the Tigers will probably be taking their unbeaten record to the Sugar Bowl.

The second-ranked Sooners played Colorado in the Big 12 title game Saturday night, knowing a win would all but assure them a date with USC on Jan. 4. The Sooners appeared on their way to Miami with a big second-half lead over the Buffaloes.

Saturday started with several BCS spots up for grabs in six games involving eight ranked teams.

No. 10 Virginia Tech defeated No. 9 Miami 16-10 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference title and a BCS bid. The Hokies could be headed to the Sugar Bowl. The last time Virginia Tech played in the BCS, the Hokies and Michael Vick lost to Florida State in the Sugar Bowl with the national title on the line.

Pittsburgh might have gotten the Big East's automatic BCS bid regardless of what it did against South Florida on Saturday. The Panthers left no doubt, defeating South Florida 43-14 behind five TD passes by Tyler Palko. The Panthers (8-3) finished the season with six wins in seven games and would likely head to the Fiesta Bowl to play Utah if Oklahoma ends up in the Orange Bowl.

The Utes (11-0) finished their perfect season two weeks ago with a solid grip on sixth-place in the BCS standings. A top-six finish guarantees Utah its BCS spot, the first earned by a team from a non- BCS conference.

The Utes found out Saturday their BCS appearance will be the final game for coach Urban Meyer with Utah. Meyer is heading to Florida, but has said he wants to finish the season with the Utes.

California played Southern Mississippi on Saturday night, with the Bears trying to earn their first Rose Bowl bid since 1958. Cal (.8431) was fourth in the BCS standings and needed to win impressively to stave off Texas (.8418).

The Longhorns could slip ahead of the Bears if they could gain a handful of points in Sunday's final regular-season Associated Press Top 25 and coaches polls.

If the Longhorns could bump Cal, they could end up in the Rose Bowl against Michigan, which had already sewn up the Big Ten's automatic bid.

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