NEW YORK Less than 24 hours after Texas Tech gave the national championship race a makeover by defeating then-No.1 Texas, the Red Raiders received more good news when the BCS standings were released.

Texas Tech was in second place Sunday – up from seventh – behind Alabama and just ahead of third-place Penn State.

If the undefeated Red Raiders of the Big 12 and undefeated Crimson Tide of the SEC win out, they will likely meet in the BCS national championship game in Miami on Jan. 8.

The unbeaten Nittany Lions still need help in the form of an Alabama or Texas Tech loss to reach the title game.

ELSEWHERE

BENEDICT: Coach Stanley Conner was hospitalized after suffering an apparent heart attack during his team's home game against Kentucky State.

The State newspaper of Columbia reported Conner, who began feeling ill just before halftime Saturday, was taken to the locker room, then rushed to a hospital. Conner was listed in stable condition Sunday.

OKLAHOMA: Sam Bradford threw for 311 yards and five touchdowns and Oklahoma, which won 62-28 Saturday, capitalized on three terrible Nebraska pass plays in the opening minutes to put up its biggest offensive output in the storied series.

MICHIGAN: Saturday's 48-42 loss at Purdue dropped the Wolverines to 2-7, which means Michigan's string of 33 straight bowl appearances will end. Michigan also set a school record for losses and is assured of its first losing season since 1967.

“I'm going to keep going back to work. What do you want me to say?” said first-year coach Rich Rodriguez, who will be paid $2.5 million this season to keep going back to work.

He is an offensive whiz, but his Wolverines were suckered on a short completion and a lateral for the decisive touchdown.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Since losing at Oregon State on Sept. 25, the Trojans have allowed 20 points in 20 quarters.