Alabama No. 1 in BCS; Texas Tech remains No. 2

Nov 9, 2008 - 10:03 PM MORRISTOWN, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Alabama and Texas Tech remained first and second, respectively, in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings, which were released Sunday.

The only two remaining unbeaten teams from BCS conferences, the Crimson Tide (10-0) and Red Raiders (10-0) appear to be on a collision course to meet in Dolphin Stadium for the national title in early January.

Alabama, which is first in both the coaches' poll and Harris Interactive poll, have an average of .9853 out of a possible 1.000.

The Crimson Tide clinched their spot in the Southeastern Conference title game Saturday with a thrilling 27-21 overtime victory at rival Louisiana State.

But before Alabama can think about facing Florida in the conference title game, it still has regular-season games remaining at home against Mississippi State and arch-rival Auburn.

After jumping into the No. 2 spot last week, Texas Tech remained there following a 56-20 destruction of Oklahoma State in what turned into a Big 12 Conference mismatch.

The Red Raiders would seem to have a tough road to Miami as they visit red-hot Oklahoma, fifth in the BCS standings, in their next game on November 22. After that, they host Baylor before a likely matchup against Missouri in the conference title game.

With an average of .9715, the Red Raiders are ahead of conference rival Texas, which is third in the BCS with an average of .8798.

Texas (9-1), which has games left at Kansas and at home against Texas A&M, will need help to get to the second spot after losing to the Red Raiders on November 3.

Despite being fourth with an average of .8640, red-hot Florida (8-1) could be in position to play for the title for the second time in three years. The Gators have three regular-season games left, then the meeting with Alabama in the SEC title game on the first Saturday in December.

If Oklahoma (9-1) defeats Texas Tech at home in two weeks, it also stands to make up ground.

Southern California (8-1) moved up one spot to sixth, while unbeaten Utah (10-0) is seventh.

The top 10 was rounded out by Penn State (9-1), which dropped five spots to eighth after being upset by Iowa, Boise State (9-0) and Georgia (8-2).

Although they are from non-BCS conferences, both the Utah and Boise State have a chance to land a BCS bowl berth. A finish in the top 12 would guarantee the higher-ranked team a selection to one of the five BCS games.

Ohio State (8-2) and Missouri (8-2) are ranked 11th and 12th, respectively.

Oklahoma State (8-2) fell four spots to 13th while unbeaten Ball State (9-0) and Michigan State (9-2) rounded out the top 15.