NEW YORK (AP) — College football fans, get ready to crown
not just one, but possibly two national champions.

And get ready for a new round of controversy.

That’s because the computer rankings had Oklahoma as the
country’s top team yesterday while the human poll voters
picked Southern California.

It’s exactly what the Bowl Championship Series was
designed to avoid, with the prospect of a split title certain to
renew cries for a playoff.

“I don’t think anyone will know who the legitimate
national champion is unless all three teams in consideration get
the opportunity to play one another,’’ Louisiana State
coach Nick Saban said.

Despite getting walloped by Kansas State 35-7 on Saturday night,
Oklahoma will take its 12-1 record to the Sugar Bowl against
Louisiana State, which won the Southeastern Conference championship
by beating Georgia 34-13.

The winner in New Orleans on Jan. 4 automatically captures the
coaches’ title under the BCS format.

Southern Cal., which finished third in the BCS rankings, could
win The Associated Press championship by beating No. 4 Michigan in
the Rose Bowl.

“I’m not an expert on this, but if the No. 1 team at
the end of the regular season wins its bowl game, how are they not
the No. 1 team outright?’’ Southern Cal. receiver Mike
Williams asked. “But we don’t play Louisiana State or
we don’t play Oklahoma, so you’ll never
know.’’

The No. 1 team in the AP poll has never dropped after winning
its bowl game.

When the BCS contract expires after the 2005 season, a one-game
championship might be instituted after the bowls. That would be too
late to fix this year’s mess.

“The No. 1 team is not playing in the game that
they’re billing as the championship game,’’
Southern Cal. coach Pete Carroll said. “Something
didn’t come out right.’’

In the final BCS standings, Oklahoma was first with 5.11 points
based on its top spot in five of the seven computers, the
11th-toughest schedule and a quality win over Texas. The Sooners
were third in both polls.

“At the end of the year, we’re No. 1 in the
system,’’ Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said.

Louisiana State (12-1) was second with 5.99, edging out Southern
Cal. (11-1) by 0.16 in the second closest finish in the six-year
history of the BCS. Nebraska beat Colorado by 0.05 in 2001.

Southern Cal. got 79 of the 128 first-place votes in the polls
but finished third in five computers.

“In a way it doesn’t make sense,’’
Southern Cal. cornerback Will Poole said. “They’re
going to have to do something about the BCS. Maybe they need to
pull the plug.’’