After a day of upsets, Notre Dame is No. 1 in the land and the SEC has regained its superiority near the top of the BCS standings.
"Now we don't have to answer questions about style points or politics," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. "Now we have a chance to play for the national championship this week."
Notre Dame, ranked No. 1 in both polls and by the computer ratings, needs only to beat slumping rival Southern California on Saturday in Los Angeles to earn its first trip to the BCS title game.
On Saturday, old No. 1 Kansas State lost at Baylor 52-24, and No. 2 Oregon fell in overtime to Stanford, 17-14.
No. 2 Alabama filled the vacuum and regained its spot in the national championship, with SEC compatriots Georgia at No. 3 and Florida No. 4.
Saturday's results cleared Notre Dame's path to the BCS National Championship. Adam Rittenberg asks if the Irish can seize their opportunity or stumble at the final hurdle. 
Brad Edwards has a new BCS title game matchup. Plus, the latest projections for the other four BCS bowls, including the next teams in line for each bid.
Oregon fell to No. 5 after its first loss of the season, and Kansas State paid the price for getting blown out, dropping five spots to No. 6.
Florida is ranked second in five of the six computers despite being fifth in the Harris poll and sixth in the USA Today poll. Oregon's computer average is seventh, and Kansas State's is fourth.
No. 7 LSU is the highest ranked two-loss team.
