BCS UPDATE: BUCKEYES ON USC'S HEELS.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

USC remained No. 2 in Monday's latest Bowl Championship Series rankings, but Ohio State is close behind and capable of leapfrogging the Trojans, even if they win their remaining three Pacific-10 Conference games.

Despite a weekend that saw Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech upset victims, the Trojans' lead for the No. 2 spot actually shrunk from the week before. USC is 1.46 points ahead of third-ranked Ohio State.

``That puts it in an iffy situation for USC,'' BCS computer analyst Jerry Palm said.

Last week, the Trojans led Florida State by 2.5 points and were fearing a leap by Miami to the No. 3 spot because of its strength of schedule. The Hurricane's loss ended that threat, but Ohio State presents a new one.

The Trojans' advantage over OSU is the top 25 polls, which rate them second and the Buckeyes fourth. That's a critical difference for the BCS point system, which uses the top 25 polls along with seven computer formulas to determine its standings.

The Buckeyes make up ground in the computer rankings. Five of the seven computers rank Ohio State at No. 2. USC is ranked No. 2 in just one computer formula.

Ohio State's only chance to move up in the writers and coaches' polls is if Louisiana State loses a game. And if LSU loses and Ohio State goes undefeated, the Buckeyes might pass the Trojans and make the Sugar Bowl.

``If Ohio State gets to third in the top 25 polls and wins out, there isn't that much ground for the computers to make up (with USC),'' Palm said.

But even if Ohio State is third in the top 25 polls, Palm said USC still could remain ahead of the Buckeyes because it currently has a ``quality win'' over Washington State. If you beat a team ranked in the top 10 of the BCS poll, you are awarded a ``quality win'' bonus.

Washington State is currently 10th in the BCS standings.

``The only fly in the ointment for Ohio State (9-1) is USC's quality win over Washington State,'' Palm said.

The Trojans (8-1) have another advantage as the season enters its final stretch. They will be favored in their final three regular-season games against Arizona, UCLA and Oregon State (who have a combined 14-15 record).

``USC should win all their games,'' Palm said. ``Where Ohio State will have to upset Michigan (at Ann Arbor) and LSU will have to win some tough games.''

LSU (8-1) also has an outside chance of overtaking the Trojans, assuming both teams win the rest of their games.

``It's a lot less likely for LSU than Ohio State, but I wouldn't rule it out,'' Palm said.

The other major movement in the latest BCS poll came from Texas Christian, which vaulted to No. 6. The 10-0 Horned Frogs needs to remain in the top six to guarantee a bid to one of the four most lucrative bowls.

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com