I'm sure that the folks behind the BCS are very thankful for the play of Texas and USC this year. These two teams are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the pack and are headed for a classic duel in the Rose Bowl. A duel that will, I might add, get yooge ratings for their friends at ABC Sports. Of course, one or both of these teams could stumble between now and the not-on-New-Year's-Day classic. Do I think they will? Read on...

#2 Texas at Texas A&M: The only team to hold Texas below 40 points this year was Ohio State. The Aggies, on the other hand, have given up 42, 56 and 36 points in their last three games (all losses). If Texas was playing Colorado or Missouri or Iowa State, I think there'd be a chance they'd be flat and already be looking forward to the Rose Bowl. But this is a rivalry game and they'd be ready to play it even if both teams were 4-6. The pick: Texas and the BCS dodges the third to last bullet.

#24 Wisconsin at Hawaii: I have a bad feeling about this game. I think the Badgers are probably out in Hawaii enjoying the weather and thinking about Barry's coaching career coming to an end and not thinking about what they need to do to win this game, get to 9-3 and probably go to the Capital One Bowl. That said, I think they're clearly better than Hawaii. They might give the Warriors (and hey, why is this name okay for Hawaii but not for Marquette?) a head start in the first half, but the pick is still: Wisconsin.

#23 Florida State at #19 Florida: I think these teams are badly misranked. Florida has a single quality win (over Georgia) while Florida State has victories over Miami and Boston College. Now, granted Florida State has lost its last two, but I just have a gut feeling that they are a better team than Florida. The pick: Florida State.

North Carolina at #5 Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech showed admirable character by bouncing back last week from their loss to Miami. Of course, I think North Carolina has shown similiar character all season. In fact, if the game was in Chapel Hill, I'd be tempted to pick the Tar Heels. Unfortunately for them they're playing in Blacksburg. At night. The pick: Virginia Tech.

#13 Georgia at #20 Georgia Tech: Georgia is one of those teams whose ranking is primarily the result of a weak early season schedule. Despite playing in the "great" SEC, Georgia has managed to play against just two ranked teams and has lost to them both. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, has defeated Auburn, Clemson and, most recently, Miami. This is a no brainer to me. The pick: Georgia Tech.