USC jumps to third in BCS standings

NEW YORK -- Southern California bounced back in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

The Trojans were in third place, right behind Ohio State and Michigan, in the standings released Sunday, returning to the spot they held before losing three weeks ago. Southern California had a slight lead over fourth-place Florida, and Notre Dame, unbeaten Rutgers and Arkansas also were close behind.

When first-place Ohio State (11-0) and second-place Michigan (11-0) play Saturday it'll mark the latest in the regular season the top two teams in the BCS standings have met. The winner will virtually clinch a spot in the BCS title game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.

-- The Associated Press