Texas inches ahead of Alabama into second in the BCS standings

Texas edges Alabama in BCS standings

NEW YORK — Texas took a small step forward in the Bowl Championship Series standings Sunday, and the remaining unbeaten teams held down the first seven spots.

The Longhorns (.9227) jumped from third to second place, ahead of Alabama (.9166) and behind Florida (.9918). It’s a cosmetic move. Texas was already in control of its destiny in the BCS championship race.

The Crimson Tide and Gators, if they both remain undefeated, will have to play each other in the Southeastern Conference title game.

Behind the top three were Iowa (.8407), Cincinnati (.8033), TCU (.8008) and Boise State (.7863), all unbeaten and hoping for the Gators, Crimson Tide or Longhorns to slip up.

Alabama faces a stiff test Saturday when LSU travels to Tuscaloosa.

The Horned Frogs hold a slim lead over the Broncos in the race to be this season’s BCS buster. Both teams had lopsided victories on Saturday.

Oregon moved up two spots from 10th to eighth place after a 47-20 victory against Southern California.

USC dropped seven spots to 12th place.

Notre Dame, which needs nine victories and a top-14 finish in the BCS standings to be eligible for an at-large bid, is 22nd.

Florida holds the top spot and is ranked first in both polls used by the BCS — the Harris and coaches’ polls. The Gators are also tops among the compilation of six computer ratings used by the BCS.

Texas is No. 2 in both polls and tied with Alabama for third in the computer ratings. The Crimson Tide is third in both polls.

Iowa is second in the computers, though only seventh in the Harris poll and sixth in the coaches’ poll.