The clock is ticking.

With each win by Nebraska, Miami and Oklahoma, time is running out on the teams that desperately need them to lose. You could almost hear their cries of frustration Saturday as Boston College's game-winning drive was thwarted by Miami in the final minute.

But all hope is not yet lost. Syracuse and Texas Tech will take their shots this week. Colorado, Washington and Virginia Tech will have opportunities after that. Some may even pray for a miracle from Oklahoma State. Strange things can happen at the end of November.

Not much has changed in the BCS big picture over the last two weeks, so maybe we're due for a little shakeup. There are certainly a lot of people hoping for it.

Stock up: Florida
One down ... three to go. The results of a big win over a good team showed up for the Gators, as they improved in both schedule strength and computer ranking. Next week's opponent, Florida State, is not as strong after its recent loss, but it is still an above-average foe by computer standards. As long as Tennessee doesn't stumble in the next two weeks, Florida is in position to take a definitive BCS leap with a win over the Volunteers on Dec. 1. Other than that, they just need a little bit of help

Stock down: Texas
The Longhorns have been on a roll since losing to Oklahoma. Although the competition has been somewhat lacking, Texas has certainly looked like a championship-caliber team over the last month. Unfortunately, it may all be too late to affect its position in the national title hunt. Other teams have been able to reposition themselves after a loss, but Mack Brown's squad is restricted by a soft schedule and a divisional structure within their conference.

Colorado is the only Top 25 team the Longhorns have beaten, and that won't even earn them bonus points within the BCS unless the Buffs knock off Nebraska (to win the North) and then Oklahoma (in the Big 12 title game). This puts Texas at a distinct disadvantage against other once-beaten teams such as Florida, Tennessee and Oregon.

Quite simply, the only remaining Rose Bowl chance the 'Horns seem to have is by getting another quality win in the Big 12 championship game. In order for that to happen, Oklahoma must lose one of its final two games -- at Texas Tech (6-3) or home against Oklahoma State (2-7). With that in mind, it seems Texas' final hope rests with the Red Raiders this weekend.

Even if the Sooners win, the season is not lost in Austin. By beating A&M and finishing 10-1, the Longhorns will still have a good shot at a BCS at-large bid -- most likely one in nearby New Orleans.

Under the radar
The automatic BCS berths are very close to being determined as the major conferences continue to sort themselves out near the top. Here's a look at how things stand and why:

ACC: Maryland is in sole possession of first place and simply needs to win at N.C. State on Saturday to gain a spot in a BCS Bowl (likely the Orange). If the Terps lose that game, they can still get the bid by finishing more than five spots ahead of Florida State in average poll ranking on Dec. 2 (assuming an FSU win over Georgia Tech).

Big East: The head-to-head tiebreaker is the same as the ACC's. Therefore, the winner of Saturday's Miami-Syracuse game is not necessarily the champion. Syracuse would still need to win its final game against BC to take the title outright, because the tiebreaker is very heavily in favor of Miami at the moment. If the Hurricanes win Saturday, they would have to get blown out in their final two games against Washington and Virginia Tech to lose the bid to Syracuse -- and even that might not be enough.

Big Ten: Michigan and Ohio State control their own destiny. If both win this weekend (Michigan at Wisconsin, Ohio State vs. Illinois), they will face off for the BCS berth (likely Fiesta) in Ann Arbor on Nov. 24. The Illini can take only the conference title by winning out and Michigan losing a game.

Big 12: Plain and simple ... the winner of Nebraska-Colorado on Nov. 23 is the North Division champion. Oklahoma wins the South if it can beat Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Texas wins the title if it beats Texas A&M and Oklahoma loses.

Pac-10: Oregon doesn't play again until Dec.1 when it hosts Oregon State. If the Ducks win, they get a spot in the BCS (likely Fiesta). If Washington State wins at Washington in the Apple Cup, the Cougars would get the bid with an Oregon loss.

SEC: Unless Tennessee loses to both Kentucky and Vanderbilt, the East Division championship will be decided when the Vols take on the Gators in Gainesville on Dec. 1. The West is almost as simple. Auburn makes a return trip to the SEC title game by winning one of its last two games (vs. Alabama and at LSU). If the Tigers do lose both, Ole Miss can win the West by running the table. LSU is still in the mix if Auburn loses to Alabama and Ole Miss loses one more.

If the season ended today ...
Nothing has changed at the top of the BCS standings. Oregon has moved up, but the Ducks have no more room for improvement other than the slight benefit of a Washington State win over Washington. Tennessee and Texas both fell because of weak opposition last Saturday.

Official BCS standings
1. Nebraska
2. Miami
3. Oklahoma
4. Oregon
5. Florida
6. Texas
7. Tennessee
8. Washington State
9. Stanford
10. Illinois

BCS Game of the Week: Syracuse at Miami
Even though it isn't a true conference championship game for Syracuse, it is a tremendous story that the Orangemen are even in position to win the Big East after starting 0-2. Miami, on the other hand, expected to be in this spot and all but officially clinches the BCS bid with a victory.

But despite the significance of the game relative to the Big East's place in the Bowl Championship Series, it holds an even greater meaning to the national title hopes of a few other schools. If Syracuse wins, it would likely eliminate Miami from the Rose Bowl chase and open the door for the Florida-Tennessee winner to get back in the mix.

Brad Edwards is a college football researcher for ESPN. Inside the BCS appears weekly.