The Associated Press

Southern California moved back into position to play for the national title - for now.

The Trojans were once again in second place in the Bowl Championship Series standings Monday, moving up one spot in the poll after a loss by Ohio State.

The Miami RedHawks are nearing the Top 10: They're sitting at No. 13.

Oklahoma (12-0) remained the leader in the standings that will determine which teams will play for the national title in the Sugar Bowl. The Sooners are a unanimous No. 1 in the polls and are the top team in all seven BCS computers.

USC was second, nearly five points behind at 6.89, followed by LSU at 9.04, matching the order in both polls. The Trojans and Tigers are the only one-loss teams remaining from one of the six major conferences. USC is 22 spots ahead of LSU in strength of schedule this week. BCS expert Jerry Palm projects that USC could end up anywhere from 15 spots ahead to 26 spots behind LSU.

Michigan moved up to fourth following its 35-21 win over OSU. The Buckeyes fell from second to fifth.

BCS standings

	AP	USTA/
	Poll	ESPN	BCS Tot.
1. Oklahoma	1	1	1.90
2. Southern Cal	2	2	6.89
3. LSU	3	3	9.04
4. Michigan	4	4	10.25
5. Ohio State	8	7	14.57
6. Texas	6	6	14.98
7. Georgia	5	5	15.06
8. Tennessee	7	8	17.97
9. Florida St.	9	9	21.76
10. Miami	10	10	22.19
11. Florida	11	11	23.83
12. Iowa	13	12	28.57
13. Miami (Ohio)	15	16	28.71
14. Purdue	12	13	31.98
15. Washington St.	16	14	36.35
16. Kansas St.	14	15	36.94
17. TCU	19	17	37.65
18. Mississippi	17	19	43.92
19. Boise St.	18	18	44.49
20. Bowling Green	22	25	46.75
21. Oklahoma St.	23	24	48.12
22. Utah	29	27	48.66
23. Nebraska	25	23	50.93
24. Arkansas	26	29.5	51.95
25. Pittsburgh	20	21	53.39