Two weeks down. Four more to go.

Virginia Tech and Clemson have been eliminated from the virtual playoff to determine this season's national champion, while five teams still remain in the running. Sure, there are scenarios by which others could get back into the mix, and there is also a chance Lee Corso could get the Alabama job. It has been a crazy season, but ... sorry, coach.

Oklahoma, the nation's lone unbeaten team, remains firmly entrenched in the top spot of the BCS Rankings. Florida State moves into the No. 2 position but has a very narrow lead over No. 3 Miami. Nebraska (fourth) and Florida (fifth) are still in range to reach the top two because of their strong remaining schedules.

	BCS RANKINGS
	Team	Points
	Oklahoma	2.76
	Florida State	6.42
	Miami (FL)	6.81
	Nebraska	9.67
	Florida	11.18

This is the seventh time in 17 official releases of the BCS Rankings (41 percent) that a team ranked in the top two of both polls is not first or second overall. Could it happen in the final rankings?

If the top three all win out
The battle for second place between Florida State and Miami could come down to decimal points -- maybe even hundredths. As most of you are aware by now, there are four components of the BCS Rankings. Here's how this race would break down in each category.

Losses: the Seminoles and Hurricanes would each have one defeat; therefore, this element is a wash.

Poll average: Miami would likely remain the No. 2 team, and FSU would be third, giving the 'Canes a one-point advantage in this column.

Computer average: Nebraska ranks between FSU and Miami in five of the eight computers. Because this scenario includes a Nebraska loss (in the Big 12 title game, if not before), the Hurricanes would obviously gain some ground. If the Huskers fall -- and there is no further trading of places in the computers among the top three teams -- Miami would finish with a computer average of 2.86 and FSU would come in at 2.00.

In David Rothman's computer, however, Miami is ranked ahead of FSU, but the teams are in a virtual tie. These places could easily switch, which would drop the 'Canes to 3.00 and move the 'Noles to 1.86. You get the picture of how little it would take to create a huge swing in the national title race.

Either way, the Seminoles would have approximately a one-point advantage in the computers, making the race basically deadlocked going to schedule strength.

Strength of schedule: Miami currently ranks sixth. FSU is seventh. Each spot between teams in this category is worth .04 points. Miami's three remaining opponents have a combined record of 15-10. FSU's two opponents are 9-8. That projects to very little change in either team's schedule strength.

	Crucial games Saturday
	Keeping in mind the schedule strength dynamic, here are this weekend's most important games involving opponents of Florida State and Miami.
	Game	Opponent of
	Louisville vs. Army	FSU
	Florida vs. S. Carolina	FSU
	McNeese St. at Troy St.	Miami
	Washington vs. UCLA	Miami
	La. Tech at UL Monroe	Miami
	Va. Tech at C. Florida	Miami
	BC at Notre Dame	Miami
	Note: Key teams are in bold.

Opponent's record makes up two-thirds of this element, which creates a lot of interest in some seemingly distant games. For example, South Carolina closes its season with games against Florida and Clemson -- both opponents of Florida State. Therefore, FSU fans should be cheering for their opponents, while Miami fans are now big supporters of the Gamecocks.

Basically, if the top three teams win out, the race between Miami and FSU is too close to call. It could come down to a win or loss by an opponent. It could come down to one touchdown scored or allowed in the next three weeks. Sounds like a strange way to determine who is the second-best team in the nation, but this is how it could be decided.

Sneaking around
Nebraska and Florida still have a chance to play for it all, but their scenarios are much more difficult to outline. A Nebraska victory against Oklahoma and/or a Florida victory against FSU would throw the top of the polls and computer ratings into chaos. If this happens, there is an abundance of possibilities. But, for now, all we know is that the Huskers and Gators need to win out

The rest of the BCS
Now that TCU has been eliminated from contention for a BCS bowl, it is time to start looking at the top candidates for the two at-large spots. To be eligible for these positions, a team must complete the standard 11-game schedule with at least nine victories and be ranked in the top 12 of the final BCS rankings. Right now, only five teams seem to have the combination of fan base and TV ratings potential to be in contention for these berths.

Big 12 runner-up: If Nebraska and Oklahoma meet again for the conference title, the loser of that game is a strong possibility -- especially if it is an 11-1 Oklahoma. Any Big 12 team outside of these two would probably not be eligible after another loss.

Washington: If the Huskies can go 10-1 without winning the conference, they might be the highest-ranked team without an automatic bid.

Virginia Tech: With a 10-1 record, the Hokies would be an attractive option IF Michael Vick can recover from his injury and show his old form down the stretch.

Notre Dame: Now that the Irish have reached the top 12, they should be available for selection if they can win their final three games.

Ohio State: If the Buckeyes can run the table, which would require a rare (recently) victory against Michigan, they should climb into the top 12. They are currently 13th.

Brad Edwards is a college football researcher for ESPN and one of the few people who actually understands the BCS. Edwards will provide a weekly analysis of the BCS rankings.