Q: What are the possibilities of a Texas-Texas Tech rematch in the BCS championship game? Is that even possible?
-- Mario, San Antonio

A: I suppose it’s a possibility, Mario. Here is one theory:

• Texas Tech beats Oklahoma and Baylor, then defeats Missouri in the Big 12 Championship Game. Hello, Miami!
• Alabama loses against Auburn, then beats Florida in the SEC Championship Game.

That could get Texas to Miami as the Red Raiders’ opponent (assuming that Alabama doesn’t spring back ahead as a one-loss SEC champion – unlikely). Another factor: Maybe the voters will intercede and prevent a Big 12 vs. Big 12 matchup. I’m not ruling that one out.

Of course, the Longhorns once had a much more direct route, but there were too many seconds on the clock in Lubbock when Texas Tech pulled out the miracle win against Texas.

Q: OK, maybe I am just a die-hard Ohio State fan who is unwilling to see beyond the surface of a team who has only two losses, one of which to a No. 1 ranked (at the time) USC team and a No. 3 Penn State. We have continuously had one of the top defenses in the nation, and are currently mastering an atypical running game with a freshman quarterback (Terrelle Pryor) and a once-Heisman hopeful (Beanie Wells). Yet, why are still considered one of the most overrated teams in the BCS?
-- Lauren, Valparaiso, Ind.

A: I think it’s strictly about the Big Ten’s sagging reputation, Lauren. The perception has Ohio State painted as a team that achieves double-digit victories, but when it really counts, it can’t handle the big boys (read: SEC teams).

Two years ago, the Buckeyes were unbeaten (with Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith at quarterback) and laid one of the largest big-game eggs in college football history, falling to the Florida Gators, 41-14, in the BCS Championship Game.

Last season, the Buckeyes went down to a two-loss LSU team for the national title.

Much of the nation has grown tired of Ohio State, like it did the old Buffalo Bills, who reached four consecutive Super Bowls (that’s nearly impossible, by the way). The Buckeyes' margin for error has shrunk to zero. When Ohio State was trampled at USC, the Buckeyes were summarily dismissed.

Turns out, Ohio State has come on nicely and its future looks bright. Pryor is the real deal. The USC Trojans will visit Columbus next season. It could be the Year of the Buckeye in 2009 — at the very least, Ohio State will be a top 10-level team in constant contention.

The Buckeyes should finish 10-2 — and that might mean a spot in the Fiesta Bowl. Considering what happened to Ohio State at the L.A. Coliseum (in a game that seems eons ago), that’s a pretty darn good comeback in my mind.

Q: Here’s a scenario that would drive people nuts: Oklahoma beats Texas Tech and becomes the Big 12 South champ, then loses in the Big 12 Championship to Missouri (Big 12 North champ). So, Missouri (a two-loss team) goes to the premier BCS bowl, while both Texas (who beat OU) and Tech (who beat Texas), get left out in the cold due to the BCS’ Big 12 Champ automatic berth. To be honest, it is in Texas’ (and OU’s) interest to scrap the Red River Rivalry in October and schedule their game for later in the season.
-- Stephen Carver, Los Angeles

A: Not sure I completely follow your line of thinking, Stephen.

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First of all, if a league has a championship game, I like the idea of placing the ultimate value on getting there (and winning it).

Second, under your scenario, Texas would probably have an excellent shot at going to a BCS bowl and maybe finishing as the highest-ranked team from the Big 12.

I don’t think the timing of the Red River Rivalry has adversely affected either Texas or Oklahoma. The problem for Texas was losing at Texas Tech (barely). Oklahoma was so “devastated’’ with its loss against Texas that it still can win out and play for a national title if the cards stack correctly.

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