Massive rivalry weekend could curb BCS political rallies

Two more days. That's how much longer we have to suffer all these political speeches, interviews and ads before America finally has its say. Maybe.

Texas pandered to its political base with a 49-9 win over Texas A&M on Thanksgiving. Colt McCoy continued stumping for the Heisman Trophy with a four-touchdown performance.

Fans all over the stadium were holding up signs that said "45-35," like it was some political rally. They probably have those signs in their yards, too. Some of the signs even promoted websites devoted to that game, an Oct. 11 defeat of Oklahoma. ESPN even wasted valuable airtime interviewing some kid who created one of the sites. At that moment in particular, I was glad to be watching the game with the sound off.

We can probably expect more of the same when Oklahoma goes to Oklahoma State for the Bedlam Game. Cowboys fans, always happy to stick it to their friends from Norman, will probably have some of those "45-35" signs, too. Oklahoma fans will have signs that say "39-33," the score of Texas' loss to Texas Tech.

Of course, Sooners fans should just be worried about the game. Oklahoma State is a much, much better opponent than Oklahoma has faced on the road all year.

The Ross Perot of this race, Texas Tech, hosts Baylor on Saturday. If the Bears are able to upset the Red Raiders, then Texas clinches the South Division, no matter what Oklahoma does.

More likely though, Texas fans will be rooting for Oklahoma later that evening. If Texas Tech wins and the Sooners lose, the Longhorns are out of luck and the Red Raiders go to Kansas City for the Big 12 title game.

And if we end up in that three-way tie? On Sunday morning, 175 Americans will stumble into the sanctity of their basements and cast the deciding vote.

Other conference and division races will be settled this week, as well.

The Pac-10 could be settled on Saturday when Oregon State hosts Oregon in the Civil War. The Beavers get to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1965 with a win over the Ducks. Not that it's ever easy, but it might be a tougher challenge than expected for Oregon State because the Beavers will likely be without their star running back, Jacquizz Rogers.

If the Beavers lose, they will need USC to fall to UCLA next week to go to the Rose Bowl. The Trojans have a bye this week.

Wait, this just in: USC hosts Notre Dame. You can see why I was confused.

Also this weekend, the ACC will finally decide which two teams to compel to play in its title game. Boston College can get there by beating Maryland at home this weekend. Virginia Tech also gets a spot if it wins over rival Virginia.

It wouldn't seem a fitting way to end this tumultuous ACC season, though, if those two won their way in. A better end would be for both of them to lose, sending Florida State and Georgia Tech to Tampa next week. It would be even more appropriate if FSU and GT won the divisions while getting pounded by in-state rivals Florida and Georgia.

Tulsa spent much of the season in the Top 25, but Houston could be the team headed to the Conference USA title game from the west if it beats Rice for the Bayou Bucket.

And finally, Ball State wrapped up a perfect MAC regular season by routing Western Michigan 45-22 on Tuesday night. The Cardinals will face Buffalo in the MAC title game next week.