At this point, we have little hope of getting any higher than 5th in the computers. And that's with a Virginia Tech loss in the ACC title game. Billingsley will probably move us ahead of Penn State after this game, but it will be thrown out as the high/low score. The others will all have us behind both Penn State and probably Ohio State. There is very little hope of us passing Penn State unless the voters do an about face and give us all the #3 votes.
Notre Dame does not get an automatic bid by going 9-2, they qualify by going 9-2. They get an automatic bid if they finish in the BCS Top 6. However, automatic or not, the BCS would never pass up an opportunity to take Notre Dame if they qualify.
If Texas and USC both lose, I can't say for all computers, but for the average they will move below Penn State, to No. 2 for USC, and No. 3 for Texas. Both of their SOS's are higher ranked by the computers than LSU's. On top of that, if USC loses, LSU probably gets passed in a few computers by UCLA.
ND has not beaten a top 20 team this year... SI said the Fiesta Bowl is looking at Auburn to play ND.....
Notre Dame has qualified at 9-2, doesn't mean they've been selected. Both Oregon and tOSU are ranked highed and would be the two at large choices if Notre Dame wasn't, well, Notre Dame. BCS rules (before all the qualifiers) says the top two ranked non-conference champions, etc., etc., get the nod. My guess is ND will magically come up with the votes next week.. and Oregon will fade into some obscure bowl.
