"It says Michigan is No. 2, but don’t be deceived," said Palm, who runs the collegebcs.com Web site. "Michigan’s position is decorative at the moment; they are an honorary No. 2."
Southern California, Palm said, is the real No. 2.
Palm said if USC beats Notre Dame this week and UCLA on Dec. 2, the Trojans will be OSU’s opponent in Glendale, Ariz.
"If (USC) wins out, they will be the highest-rated one-loss team in the computers," Palm said. "And with the poll margins the way they are, Michigan has no chance."
Florida is the third and final team with a realistic chance to meet the Buckeyes, Palm said.
By clinching a Pacific-10 champion- ship with a win over California on Saturday, Southern Cal (9-1) jumped one spot to second in both the USA Today and Harris Interactive polls, leapfrogging the Wolverines (11-1).
Michigan stayed No. 2 in the BCS by claiming second among computer rankings. But the margins are slim.
Personally, I think a re-match in the title game would be kinda cool, but I won't shed any tears if it doesn't happen. If USC wins out, then they obviously deserve to play for a national championship over Michigan.
Man, that was one hell of a game on Saturday. I gotta give props to the Wolverines for making it interesting, but the Buckeyes just had an edge, and his name is Troy Smith. Sigh. Maybe someday Michigan State will get there, but I won't hold my breath.
Anyway, congratulations to Ohio State!