For Notre Dame, the path to the BCS championship game is simple. Beat USC and the Irish are in. For No. 2 Alabama, the path is also simple, albeit a bit longer. Beat Auburn and then Georgia in the SEC championship game (likewise, the Bulldogs also have a straight shot to the BCS title). All other teams still in the title discussion need help.
Which is why others are sending messages of support to Trojans coach Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin said via the LA Times that he received text messages this week from an Alabama assistant -- according to Kiffin, Nick Saban apparently doesn’t know how to text -- and Oregon coach Chip Kelly.
“He said we’re going to win,” Kiffin said of Kelly’s message.
The Ducks are ranked No. 5 in the BCS and would need losses by Florida (to Florida State), Notre Dame (to USC) and either Georgia (to Georgia Tech) or Alabama (to Auburn) to have another shot at a BCS championship -- and that’s not including the help Oregon needs within the Pac-12 just to get to its conference title game.
Better get texting, Chip.