After a conference call meeting Tuesday between league commissioners, bowl game executives and officials with the BCS, the Big Ten Conference announced that Iowa has secured a spot in a BCS bowl game.

And what that means, although not announced by the Big Ten, is that if Washington State beats UCLA this Saturday, therefore securing a spot in the Rose Bowl, and Miami beats Virginia Tech to get into the national title game at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, that leaves Notre Dame out of any potential BCS bowl game this season.

Mike Tranghese, BCS coordinator, said the Big Ten's announcement on Tuesday was premature.

"Nothing should have been said, I think we embarrassed ourselves,'' Tranghese said Wednesday. "We're not going to render a final decision until Sunday.''

With Southern California being fourth in the latest BCS standings, if both WSU and Miami win this weekend, then the Trojans will be guaranteed an at-large spot in a BCS bowl. That leaves just one at-large spot left for the BCS bowl games, which are the Fiesta, Rose, FedEx Orange and Nokia Sugar bowls. Exact pairings for those game won't be known until after games this weekend.

The meeting Tuesday secured that second at-large spot for 11-1 Iowa, which went through the Big Ten undefeated at 8-0. Ohio State also went through the Big Ten unbeaten at 8-0, and will take its 13-0 record to the Fiesta Bowl.

With the two at-large berths taken by USC and Iowa, provided both WSU and Miami win this weekend, no at-large berth would be available for 10-2 Notre Dame. The Irish then would go to the Gator Bowl. If WSU were to lose to UCLA, then USC would take the Pacific-10's spot in the Rose Bowl, therefore freeing up an at-large berth that possibly could go to Notre Dame.

In another more far-fetched scenario, Notre Dame could get a BCS berth if Miami loses and Georgia moves into the BCS title game. A Miami loss could bump USC from the top four in the BCS standings, which would mean they wouldn't be assured of a BCS bowl berth. The Sugar Bowl then might take Notre Dame.

Meanwhile Tuesday, several teams announced they have accepted invitations to various bowls.

Penn State returned to the postseason after a two-year absence, accepting an invitation to play in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

The Nittany Lions (9-3) will oppose a team from the Southeastern Conference in the game formerly known as the Florida Citrus Bowl. Still in the running for the game to be played Jan. 1 are Georgia, Arkansas and Auburn (8-4), said Tom Mickle, the bowl's executive director.

Georgia (11-1) plays Arkansas (9-3) in the SEC championship game Saturday. The winner of that game will likely play in the Sugar Bowl.

Penn State's acceptance ended nearly two weeks of uncertainty concerning the Nittany Lions' postseason plans.

''I cannot tell you how many people, including my own family, have said to me, 'Where are you going?' My mother in law is driving me nuts,'' coach Joe Paterno said.

''We were informed by the Big Ten that the clock was running, it was our turn to pick and Iowa and Ohio State were not available,'' Mickle said.

The Hawkeyes (11-1) are eligible for an at-large BCS bowl berth in addition to Notre Dame, Texas and Kansas State. Southern California, Oklahoma and Georgia could be added to that mix if they don't win their respective conference titles, the BCS said Tuesday.

Only teams ranked in the BCS' top 12 are eligible for the four top bowl games -- the Fiesta, Sugar, Orange and Rose.

The Fiesta Bowl will host the national championship game, which will have No. 2 Ohio State against No. 1 Miami if the defending champion Hurricanes beat Virginia Tech on Saturday. Miami already has clinched a BCS berth because it holds the tiebreaker for the Big East title.

Four other bowls issued invitations Tuesday to at least one team.

Outback -- Florida will be staying close to home, meeting Michigan on Jan. 1 in Tampa. The Gators (8-4) will be facing Michigan (9-3) for the first time.

Wells Fargo Sun -- Purdue (6-6) accepted an invitation to play in El Paso, Texas, for the second consecutive year. The Big Ten team will face a Pac-10 team Dec. 31.

Gaylord Hotels Music City -- Minnesota (7-5) accepted an invitation to play in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30. The Golden Gophers will play a team from the Southeastern Conference, which should be decided after that league's championship game.

Insight -- Pittsburgh will go to the Insight Bowl in Phoenix on Dec. 26. The 25th-ranked Panthers (8-4), from the Big East, will face a Pac-10 team. Alamo Bowl, Presented by Mastercard -- A Big 12 team will oppose Wisconsin (7-6), which accepted a berth in the in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Antonio.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.