BCS Busters: How One Game Changed Everything For The BCS Computers

The Computer that controls the fate of the top five teams in the country will be very busy this weekend. At this point, we know at least one conference championship game (SEC), we know that Oklahoma is the all that stands between Texas Tech and perfection and we also know that the Big Ten and Pac-10 is most likely out of the BCS Championship.

How does this affect us? Well take a look at these games that changed the foundation of the BCS Computers.

Texas Tech 56, Oklahoma State 20

The Red Raiders are still riding high from last week's victory over Texas. Last night, they continued that dominance. In a game that started as a shootout between the two teams, the dynamic duo of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree ensured that when Tech plays Oklahoma in two weeks, it will not only be for the right to play in the Big XII Championship, but also for the Raiders' quest at perfection and a trip to the BCS Championship.

Let's hope that the bye week doesn't stop the momentum of the Raiders. Because even Oakland fans are chanting "Rai-Duhs! Rai-Duhs!" in respect of Texas Tech.

Alabama 27, LSU 21 OT

In his return to Baton Rouge, Nick Saban was determined to get the monkey off his back once and for all. Thanks to Rashard Johnson's interception in OT, Alabama survived their trip to Death Valley and earned a trip to Atlanta for the first time since 1999. But they might not have saved their #1 spot despite a stout defense that stepped up majorly in the fourth quarter and overtime.

The good news for 'Bama is that they're going back to the granddaddy of the SEC. The bad news is the team they're playing for the SEC Championship has been a team possessed since the loss to Ole Miss...

Florida 42, Vanderbilt 14

Tim Tebow went from Dr. Doom to Superman in record time as he was the main reason that Florida's offense got into the end zone on almost every possession. But the biggest thing that I noticed from last night's game was the double shot of punt blocks from Big Bad Dunlap. Since the loss to Ole Miss, Florida has played as if their season depended on it, but in all honesty, it's all about the triple crown they hope to hoist at season's end.

With the win, Florida wins the SEC East and will head back to the SEC Championship for the second time in three years. And after a dominating performance, and despite a controversial fumble at the goal line, Florida's chances of going back to the BCS Championship just got better thanks to a team that no one saw coming...

Oklahoma 66, Texas A&M 28

So it comes down to this. Just how good are the Oklahoma Sooners? They get a measure of revenge against the Lone Star State with a devastating performance against the Aggies. But is it enough for them to jump Florida for the #3 spot? Most likely, but the way that things are going these days, and when someone says that you and Florida are the two hottest teams in the country, you're probably going to stay behind the Gators. In any event, we find out in two weeks just how good they are when they have a chance to do what Texas and Oklahoma State couldn't do: Beat Texas Tech and end their quest for perfection.

But if it makes them feel better, someone helped their cause out in a huge way...and they didn't even know it.

Iowa 24, Penn State 23

So a funny thing happened in the Cedar Rapids/Des Moines area yesterday. A team that was just playing for respect came out and earned the respect of every team below Penn State going into last weekend. We all knew that Penn State doesn't play well on the road this season. We all knew about the quarterback with a little head problems. But what we didn't know is that when Florida started playing Vanderbilt and Alabama was surviving LSU, they would be playing for more than just keeping their spots in the Top 25.

Thanks to a last second field goal, Iowa became everyone's best friend, including Michigan State. With the Lions' loss and their victory, the Spartans now move atop the Big Ten Conference, therefore setting up a showdown for the Big Ten Championship at season's end. I guess that's as close as they get to a Conference Championship. So on behalf of everyone in Gainesville and Lubbock, we say thank you.