BCS standings revealed; Ohio State, USC and Michigan lead the chase for the national championship.

If the season were to end today Ohio State would be facing off against USC, winner take all, at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.

That being said, it’s not the end of the season and if the first seven weeks of the college football season has shown us anything it’s that number two will change. While USC may feel some sort of comfort in knowing they are in position to play for another national championship they might be a little nervous about that number two ranking.

So far this year Notre Dame, Texas, Auburn and Florida have held that number two spot, all have lost. For USC to hold on they will have to beat California, Oregon and Notre Dame.

Number three in the BCS is surprise Michigan who is coming off a close game against Penn State on Saturday.  They shouldn’t face another challenge until their match up with Ohio State on November 18th. That same weekend USC hosts Cal.

Auburn slides into the number four spot after knocking off the Florida Gators on Saturday. They still have to face Georgia and state rival Alabama and that doesn’t even guarantee them the SEC West. Their loss to Arkansas could keep them from the SEC Championship game but still keep them in the national championship game.

West Virginia has been ranked number five in the BCS standings but they still have Louisville on the road and then face off against undefeated Rutgers on December 2. One loss will knock West Virginia out of any BCS title hopes.

Florida debuts at number six in the polls, but still has an excellent chance to climb back to that number two ranking they held up until Saturday evening. They still have Georgia in Jacksonville and then finish the season off with in state rival Florida State. Assuming they win the SEC East they still have the SEC Championship game to play.

Louisville is another interesting team that can’t afford a single loss. Like West Virginia, the only chance the Cardinals have at a national title game is an undefeated season and some help. With the November 2 game between Louisville and West Virginia, one of the two will have to start thinking about next year. The following week Louisville travels up to New Jersey to face off against Rutgers in another game that could shape the national championship picture.

Number eight falls to Notre Dame, perhaps the team with the best shot at jumping back into the number two spot. Notre Dame had the fortune of losing their game against Michigan early enough in the season to still climb back. November 25 could determine the national championship as the Fighting Irish travel to Cali and face USC.

The complete BCS Rankings  

1. Ohio State
2. USC
3. Michigan
4. Auburn
5. West Virginia
6. Florida
7. Louisville
8. Notre Dame
9. Texas
10. California