In the days before the BCS, when tackles and touchdowns meant more than computers and calculators, it would have been clear what Ohio State and Southern California were playing for this weekend — the Rose Bowl.

What once was the ultimate goal for teams from the Big Ten and Pac-10 now is a consolation prize — much to the dismay of some of the people involved.

“I really love the traditional matchups of the bowl games, and I would love to see us playing the Big Ten every year,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “I know I’m old-fashioned, but I love that matchup.”

The Trojans can clinch the Pac-10 title with a win Saturday over rival UCLA, plus a Washington State loss to Washington. If the Cougars win, USC still can win the conference by beating the Bruins and then Oregon State Dec. 6.

For Ohio State, the path is much clearer: Win at Michigan and the Buckeyes are the outright champs in the Big Ten for the first time since 1984; lose and the title goes to the Wolverines.

What’s not clear is what bowls the Buckeyes and Trojans will play in if they win out.

A chance at the national championship in the Sugar Bowl likely awaits one of those two teams if they finish with one loss. The other would spend New Year’s in Pasadena.

Ohio State was second in this week’s BCS standings, 0.19 points ahead of USC. But because USC has more room to improve in the computers and the strength of schedule, the Buckeyes could slip even with their biggest win of the season.

The picks:

No. 1 Oklahoma (minus 19) at Texas Tech

Sooners wrap up regular season vs. high-flying Red Raiders … OKLAHOMA 45-20.

UCLA (plus 22) at No. 2 Southern California

Trojans look for fifth straight win in rivalry … USC 41-10.

No. 3 LSU (minus 6 1/2) at No. 15 Mississippi

Rebels can clinch first SEC West title ever … LSU 27-17.

No. 4 Ohio State (plus 7) at No. 5 Michigan

Buckeyes haven’t won three straight vs. Wolverines in 40 years … MICHIGAN 24-20.

Kentucky (plus 18 1/2) at No. 6 Georgia

Bulldogs can clinch tie for first in SEC East with win … GEORGIA 34-10.

No. 8 Washington State (no line) at Washington

Huskies have won five straight Apple Cups … WASHINGTON STATE 27-10.

Vanderbilt (plus 21) at No. 9 Tennessee

Vols need to win to keep BCS hopes alive … TENNESSEE 37-10.

No. 10 TCU (plus 2 1/2) at So. Mississippi (today)

Conference USA title and more is on the line … SOUTHERN MISS 21-17.

Boston College (plus 14 1/2) at No. 12 Virginia Tech

Teams meet for final time in Big East … VIRGINIA TECH 31-20.

Rutgers (plus 26 1/2) at No. 13 Miami

Hurricanes still have chance at Big East title … MIAMI 37-17.

No. 16 Purdue (minus 24 1/2) at Indiana

Boilermakers look to keep Old Oaken Bucket … PURDUE 37-10.

No. 17 Iowa (plus 1 1/2) at Wisconsin

Hawkeyes and Badgers playing for bowl positioning … IOWA 24-21.

No. 18 Miami (Ohio) (minus 24) at Ohio

RedHawks looking for 10th straight win … MIAMI 37-17.

Missouri (plus 14 1/2) at No. 19 Kansas State

Wildcats can clinch date in Big 12 title game vs. Oklahoma with win … K-STATE 34-17.

No. 20 Boise State (minus 8 1/2) at Fresno State, (Friday)

Broncos can clinch tie for first in WAC with win … BOISE STATE 37-24.

No. 21 Pittsburgh (minus 15) at Temple

Owls still searching for first Big East win … PITT 37-14.

No. 22 Bowling Green (minus 14 1/2) at Ball State

Falcons need to win to keep MAC title hopes alive … BOWLING GREEN 38-13.

No. 24 Okie State (minus 27) at Baylor

Cowboys can tie school record with nine regular season wins … OSU 45-10.

No. 25 West Virginia (minus 2) at Syracuse

Mountaineers can stay tied for first in Big East with win … WEST VIRGINIA 27-20.

• Last week: 19-2 (straight); 9-9-1 (vs. points)

Season: 178-43 (straight); 105-102-2 (vs. points)