Football: Ohio State back in BCS conversation

Thanks to Oregon defeating Oregon State in "The Civil War" Saturday the Ohio State Buckeyes are stronger candidates for a BCS at-large selection.

Oregon State's loss puts USC in the lead in the Pac 10 Conference, eliminating a potential obstacle for the Buckeyes.

This weekend features conference championship games in the ACC, SEC and Big 12 which will decide some of the teams bound to play in the BCS bowls in January.

The likely BCS destinations for Ohio State are the Fiesta Bowl, held Jan. 5 in Glendale against Texas or Oklahoma, and the Sugar Bowl, held Jan. 2 in New Orleans against the loser of the SEC Championship (Alabama or Florida).

If the Buckeyes are overlooked in the BCS they will play in the Capital One bowl on Jan. 1 in Orlando, probably against Georgia.

Current BCS Standings:
1. Alabama .9713
2. Oklahoma .9351
3. Texas .9223
4. Florida .8851
5. USC .8076
6. Utah .7844
7. Texas Tech .7805
8. Penn State .7373
9. Boise State .7034
10. Ohio State .6340

James Crepea can be reached at crepea.1@osu.edu.