UO, OU losses vault OSU back into title picture, OK?

All those Buckeyes running around with roses in their teeth? Turns out they aimed too low.

Turns out the worst Ohio State can do is go to the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes find themselves back in the national championship hunt.

James Laurinaitis and Ohio State shouldn't book those tickets to Pasadena just yet. (AP)

The latest rash of upsets put the recently upset Buckeyes (11-1) back in the title picture. They thought winning the Big Ten (again) was a big deal? Losses by No. 2 Oregon on Thursday and No. 3 Oklahoma on Saturday night leave the No. 7 Buckeyes poised to move up to perhaps No. 5 in the BCS standings.

Even better for Ohio State, at least one of the teams ahead of it is guaranteed to lose. Kansas and Missouri -- expected to be 2-3 in Sunday's latest BCS standings -- play next Saturday in Kansas City. That game figures to be a national championship elimination bout. The winner most likely will be playing (in the Big 12 championship) for a berth in the BCS title game in New Orleans.

Oklahoma could still play in that Big 12 title game but now has to beat Oklahoma State on Saturday to clinch the South Division.

Ohio State's biggest advantage right now is that it has completed its regular season. Each of the other contenders have at least one game remaining.

Also back in the hunt is No. 5 West Virginia. The Mountaineers probably will move up to No. 4 but have two Big East games remaining.

Here's how the top five should look when the latest BCS standings are released on Sunday:

• 1. LSU (10-1). Games remaining: Arkansas at home, Friday; SEC title game, Dec. 1
• 2. Kansas (11-0). Games remaining: Missouri at Kansas City, Saturday; possible Big 12 title game, Dec. 1.
• 3. Missouri (10-1). Games remaining: Kansas at Kansas City, Saturday; possible Big 12 title game, Dec. 1.
• 4. West Virginia (9-1). Games remaining: Connecticut at home, Saturday; Pittsburgh at home, Dec. 1.
• 5. Ohio State (11-1). Games remaining. None.