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The point after

Gerry Ahern

There is no denying that Southern California's 44-24 win over Notre Dame on Saturday night was dominating.

But as the Bowl Championship Series computers whirred and spit out the Trojans as the new No. 2 team in the land Sunday night, it dawned on me – we now have an apples-to-apples comparison of USC and No. 3 Michigan – the teams' performances against the Fighting Irish, their lone common opponent.

As the debate over who should face No. 1 Ohio State in the BCS title game on Jan. 8 supposedly comes to "style points," what we have here is some substance.

A simple study of the boxscores shows the Wolverines were even more demonstrative in dismantling Notre Dame, and by a fairly significant margin.

Michigan had the edge over USC against Notre Dame in the following categories:

  • Points for: 47-44 (3).

  • Points against: 21-24 (3).

  • Total yards allowed: 273-404 (131).

  • Rushing yards allowed: 32-130 (98).

  • Passing yards allowed: 241-274 (33).

  • Turnovers forced: 5-1 (4).

  • Rushing yards: 148-139 (9)

USC, meanwhile held slight edges in just two categories:

  • Net offensive yards: 404-368 (36).

  • Passing yards: 265-220 (45).

The evidence seems pretty empirical, especially when you factor in that the Wolverines' lone loss came by three points at top-ranked Ohio State (12-0), while the Trojans lost at unranked Oregon State (8-4) by two.

Strength of schedule? USC faced 10 teams that will play in bowls, Michigan seven.

As you do the math, it seems clear that the Maize and Blue should be making their way to the desert for a date with the Buckeyes, not the Cardinal and Gold.

Crazy talk, I know. Next, I'll be advocating a playoff to determine the champion, you know the way it's done in every other division of college football.

ON CAMPUS

GOING UP: Oklahoma. After a ridiculously bad replay call went against them at Oregon, suffering another frustrating defeat to Texas in the Red River Shootout and the loss of top rusher Adrian Peterson, the Sooners seemed in sorry shape. But they managed to close with seven consecutive victories, including Saturday's 27-21 win over Oklahoma State, to finish 10-2 and 7-1 in the Big 12. No. 12 Oklahoma, thanks in part to the Longhorns' upset loss to Texas A&M, will now face Nebraska in the conference title game.

GOING DOWN: West Virginia. The No. 15 Mountaineers likely saw their BCS hopes evaporate after a 24-19 loss at home to South Florida. WVU's prolific rushing attack of Steve Slaton and Pat White was held to just 132 yards by the upstart Bulls, who recorded their first win in Morgantown. The Mountaineers (9-2, 4-2 Big East) still have to face Rutgers on Saturday.

GOING NOWHERE: Colorado. It was a tough season for first-year coach Dan Hawkins, lured away from Boise State to pick up the pieces in the wake of the dismissal of Gary Barnett. The Buffaloes were hammered by No. 23 Nebraska, 37-14, Friday, ending their season at 2-10, 2-6 in the Big 12. Barnett had plenty of success in Boulder. Given time, Hawkins will too.

HEIS-MEN:

  • Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State – Idle. Smith was conserving his strength to bring the bronze statue back to Columbus from New York after the ceremony on Dec. 9.

  • Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame – 22 of 45 passing, 274 yards, three touchdowns in a 44-24 loss to Southern California. Quinn also rushed for 74 yards, when he wasn't being abused by the Trojans' defense. He was sacked three times and pressured throughout the game. He showed toughness and versatility that will serve him well in the NFL. He finished his tenure with the Irish 0-for-4 against USC.

  • Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia – 18 carries, 43 yards rushing, two catches, 8 yards receiving, no touchdowns in a 24-19 loss to South Florida. Slaton was held 115 yards under his rushing average for the season as the Mountaineers lost at home for the first time in nine games. The pitiful performance, both individual and team, devastated WVU.

WELL SAID: "(Ball) was definitely rattled at the end of the game. He was kicking and shoving people. He's 0-4 against Georgia, so you can't really blame him. I might be kicking and shoving guys too if that was my record against them.” – Georgia defensive tackle Ray Gant, on Georgia Tech QB Reggie Ball, after the Bulldogs beat the Yellow Jackets 15-12.

THE NEXT BIG THING: No. 4 Florida (11-1, 7-1 SEC) vs. No. 9 Arkansas (10-2, 7-1) in SEC Championship Game, Saturday, 6 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Gators and Razorbacks' meeting in Atlanta lost a bit of luster as Arkansas fell to LSU on Friday. But Florida knows with a victory (and a UCLA win over USC) that it could be back in the argument for a BCS title game berth opposite Ohio State. The Hogs come in with the nation's third-best rushing attack, led by Darren McFadden. The Gators counter with the No. 5 rushing defense. Player to watch is Florida quarterback Chris Leak, much maligned throughout his career. Leak looked like a leader on Saturday, directing the winning 79-yard drive in the fourth quarter against rival Florida State. Could this be the season he reaches the promise so many expected of him?