Wins by Southern California and LSU and a loss by Oklahoma set up a chaotic finish in the Bowl Championship Series.

The national championship matchup will be set today.

Despite the loss in the Big 12 title game, the top-ranked Sooners (12-1) had such a big lead in the BCS standings that they appear to be a sure bet to play Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl.

The race to be their opponent figures to be one of the closest in the six-year history of the BCS, with No. 3 LSU (12-1) poised to cut into USC’s 1.53-point lead.

The second-ranked Trojans (11-1) even could move up to No. 1 in the AP poll and still be shut out of the Sugar Bowl.

The Trojans then would play No. 4 Michigan in the Rose Bowl, but still could earn a share of the national championship depending on the AP voters.