November 2, 2009

Texas took a small step forward in the Bowl Championship Series standings Sunday, and the remaining unbeaten teams held down the first seven spots.

The Longhorns (.9227) jumped from third to second place, ahead of Alabama (.9166) and behind top-ranked Florida (.9918).

But Texas — a 41-14 winner at Oklahoma State on Saturday — already was in control of its destiny in the standings, which determine the teams in the BCS National Championship Game, to be played Jan. 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Florida and Alabama, if they both remain undefeated, will have to play each other in the Southeastern Conference title game.

Behind the top three were Iowa (.8407), Cincinnati (.8033), Texas Christian (.8008) and Boise State (.7863), all unbeaten and hoping the Gators, Crimson Tide or Longhorns slip.

Alabama faces a potentially rugged test Saturday when Louisiana State, which is ninth in the BCS, travels to Tuscaloosa.

Oregon is the top one-loss team in the standings. The Ducks moved up two spots from 10th to eighth after a 47-20 home victory over USC.

The Trojans dropped seven spots to 12th place and are the highest-ranked team with two losses.