Momentous news...as a result of its 44-13 rout of Notre Dame, USC is now ranked fifth in the polls, anywhere from first (thanks, Howell Raines !!) to third in the computer rankings, and is now listed as having played the toughest schedule in the country. That, according to the BCS ratings, is enough to move them ahead of one-loss Iowa into fourth place, and what would be an automatic BCS bowl in early January. Miami and Ohio State remain one-two, with Georgia a distant third. That may become relevant next weekend; even if Miami loses a close game to Virginia Tech, the 'Canes might still have enough strength in polling and the computer ranking to remain ahead of one-loss Georgia, and will almost certainly play in the Fiesta Bowl, no matter what they do, if the Bulldogs also lose in the SEC title game.