Nov. 23 - USC is expected to leap back into second place in the BCS standings Monday, and the Trojans are likely to hold onto that spot in the Sugar Bowl if they win out. But LSU still has an outside chance, www.collegebcs.com reported Sunday night.

THE TROJANS (10-1) routed UCLA on Saturday, but they lost standing in their strength of schedule because Washington State and Oregon State lost, www.collegebcs.com reported.

LSU (10-1), which is expected to be No. 3 in the BCS, could jump past USC with a win over Georgia in the SEC title game, www.collegebcs.com reported. However, the Tigers also would need to make up ground in the computer rankings to do so.

LSU also could benefit if Florida State beats Florida, according to the website. That would benefit the Gators’ strength of schedule, and also the Tigers’, www.collegebcs.com reported. However, it’s still an outside chance, the website reported.

Oklahoma (11-0) is expected to remain the runaway leader in the standings that will determine which two teams will play for the national championship in the Sugar Bowl. The Sooners’ position is so strong that they are likely to reach the Sugar Bowl even with a loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship, www.collegebcs.com reported.

The BCS was started five years ago to create a national title game without playoffs. Champions of six conferences — the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC — qualify for a BCS game, and two at-large teams are selected to fill out the field.

The BCS formula uses the AP media and USA Today/ESPN coaches’ polls, seven computer rankings, strength of schedule, losses and a bonus-point system for quality wins.

The seven computer rankings are operated by Anderson & Hester, Billingsley, Colley Matrix, Kenneth Massey, The New York Times, Jeff Sagarin’s USA Today and Peter Wolfe.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.