The Associated Press

Oklahoma is in a familiar place - first in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings. The Sooners' task this year is to stay there.

Oklahoma was No. 1 in the first BCS standings for the third straight year, matching the spot it has held in the two major polls all season.

"It's a positive indicator that we've played awfully well for seven games," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said Monday. "We've earned that position and have played well through this part of the season. Now, it's our job to continue it, finish it and keep it."

Miami and Virginia Tech, the other two undefeated teams from major conferences, are second and third.

The BCS standings are used to determine which teams play in a national title game. The teams that finish 1-2 in the final BCS standings on Dec. 7 will play for the title at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 4.

The formula uses the AP media and coaches' polls, seven computer rankings, strength of schedule, losses and a bonus-point system for quality wins.

The Sooners (7-0) have a 2.77 total. Oklahoma is ranked first in four of the computer rankings with Miami the top team in the other three.

The Hurricanes (7-0) have 4.10 points and Virginia Tech (6-0) has 10.23.

"We can't get caught up in anything other than winning our games," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "If we do that, everything will work out as it should."

Georgia (12.99), Florida State (13.14), Ohio State (13.20), Southern California (13.83) and Purdue (21.50) round out the top eight. Undefeated Northern Illinois (26.00) is 10th, while TCU (7-0) of Conference USA is 14th with 28.17. Both teams have poor strength of schedules, with the Huskies 100th and the Horned Frogs 96th out of 117 I-A teams.

Two other Mid-American Conference teams made the Top 25. The Miami RedHawks are 23rd with 48.23 points followed by Bowling Green (49.29).

Northern Illinois and TCU will need to be in the top 12 to be eligible for one of the lucrative bowl games.