OK, so Texas Tech got thrashed Saturday night, leaving only one unbeaten team - Alabama - among the BCS conferences. That leaves the Crimson Tide, along with Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, Penn State, Utah, USC… and maybe even the Red Raiders, still, as contenders for the championship game.

Simple enough, right?

Not so much. All Oklahoma’s showing Saturday did was further muddle a hoplessly confusing national picture. Sure, Alabama and Florida should handle their respective state rivals this weekend and head into the Dec. 4 SEC Championshp Game to decide one side of the national title matchup. But, for one, Auburn has beaten the Tide six straight times, and if the Tigers can build an early lead Saturday in Tuscaloosa, who knows?

For that matter, what about the Gators’ trip to FSU? The Seminoles actually turned back the clock several years in dismantling Maryland Saturday night, and another fine showing from (main) quarterback Christian Ponder and Mickey Andrews’ defense could definitely make for a difficult day for Florida.

Speaking of ACC teams, has there been a more unpredictable conference in the country this year? Who could possibly have foreseen 4-6 North Carolina State rolling into Chapel Hill and dominating North Carolina to the tune of 41-10? The Tar Heels went from No. 25 in the country to below .500 in their own decidedly mediocre conference, wondering if there’s really anything to the rumors of coach Butch Davis listening to overtures from Tennessee (and other schools).

And how about Clemson going into Virginia and winning by double digits? The Tigers, of course, have been a colossal disappointment, but they are apparently playing to have interim head coach Dabo Swinney take the job for good. We’ll know a lot more about that when they take on South Carolina this weekend.

The ACC title game - held in Tampa for the first time this season - will be Boston College against Virginia Tech, provided the Eagles follow FSU’s lead and beat Maryland and the Hokies handle Virginia. Florida State would back into a division title if Maryland rebounds, and Georgia Tech, fresh off a beatdown of Miami, is waiting in the wings if V-Tech falters.

And don’t forget - for all the talk of which Big 12 teams belong in the BCS, there are spots guaranteed for both the Big East winner and the ACC champion.

Cincinnati-Boston College Orange Bowl, anyone?

Well, it couldn’t be any worse than Kansas-Virginia Tech, come to think of it.