Salt Lake City — The BCS is all but busted.
Utah beat rival Brigham Young, 52-21, Saturday, completing its first unbeaten season since 1930 and putting the Utes one step closer to the first appearance in the Bowl Championship Series for a team from a mid-major conference.
Heisman Trophy hopeful Alex Smith had his worst performance of the season with two interceptions, but had plenty of help as the Utes completed the 11-0 run.
"It probably wasn't my best game, but when it ends like this, I couldn't be happier," said Smith, who had only two interceptions on the season before Saturday. "Winning was all that I wanted. The stats don't really matter."
Receiver Steve Savoy ran for two touchdowns and caught a pass for another score, and Quinton Ganther ran for 122 yards on 11 carries to lead the fifth-ranked Utes (7-0 Mountain West), who got past the rival Cougars (5-6, 4-3) for the third straight year.
A few fans tossed tortillas, and some of the Utes donned sombreros in reference to the Fiesta Bowl, where they likely are headed. Fans spent the final minute of the game lining the sideline and started pouring onto the field with about 15 seconds left to play. It took a few minutes, but both goalposts eventually came down as Utes fans reveled in the perfect season.
"I truly believe we are one of the top six in the country," Utah coach Urban Meyer said.
Savoy ran 92 yards for a score in the third quarter that turned the game for good in Utah's favor, and Smith completed 16 of 24 for 184 yards and a touchdown.
No. 2 Auburn 21,
Alabama 13
Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- Jason Campbell passed for 224 yards, and Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams ran for second-half touchdowns for the Tigers (11-0, 8-0 Southeastern Conference). Even the nation's top-scoring defense ran into a little trouble late. Alabama (6-5, 3-5) drove 84 yards on 11 plays in the final minutes, scoring on Spencer Pennington's 18-yard pass to D.J. Hall with 1:26 left.
No. 4 Cal 41, Stanford 6
Berkeley, Calif. -- J.J. Arrington ran for 169 yards to set California's season-rushing record, and the Golden Bears (9-1, 6-1 Pac-10) recorded their biggest victory in the Big Game since 1930. T.C. Ostrander passed for 148 yards for the Cardinal (4-7, 2-6).
Ohio State 37,
No. 7 Michigan 21
Columbus, Ohio -- Quarterback Troy Smith ran for 145 yards, and Ted Ginn Jr. set school and Big Ten records with his fourth punt-return touchdown of the season as Ohio State upended Michigan (9-2, 7-1). Ginn gathered a punt at his own 18 midway through the third quarter with the Buckeyes (7-4, 4-4) up 20-14. He broke a tackle and went into overdrive for an 82-yard touchdown.
No. 8 Louisville 65, Houston 27
Houston -- Stefan LeFors threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns, and Eric Shelton rushed for three more scores. The Cardinals (8-1, 6-0 Conference USA) scored the final 30 points of the game.
Florida 20, No. 10 FSU 13
Tallahassee, Fla. -- Chris Leak threw a touchdown, Ciatrick Fason ran for a score, and Florida won in Tallahassee for the first time since 1986, giving fired coach Ron Zook a victory in his final regular-season game. The Gators (7-4) ended any legitimate chance the Seminoles (8-3) had of earning a third straight BCS berth.
No. 12 Miami 52,
Wake Forest 7
Miami -- Brock Berlin threw for a career-best 361 yards and four touchdowns in just over a half, and Miami stayed in contention for the ACC title. Frank Gore rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown for Miami (8-2, 5-2).
No. 13 Boise State 55, Louisiana Tech 14
Boise, Idaho -- Jon Helmandollar rushed for a school-record five touchdowns, and Boise State (10-0, 7-0) clinched at least a share of its third straight Western Athletic Conference title.
No. 14 LSU 27, Mississippi 24
Baton Rouge, La. -- Alley Broussard ran for a school-record 250 yards with three touchdowns, and LSU rallied. The Tigers (8-2, 5-2 SEC) have won five straight. It was the fourth straight loss for Ole Miss (3-7, 2-5).
No. 15 Tennessee 38, Vanderbilt 33
Nashville, Tenn. -- Cedric Houston ran for three touchdowns, and Tennessee clinched the SEC East with its 22nd straight victory over Vanderbilt. Tennessee (8-2, 6-1) will play No. 2 Auburn in the SEC title game regardless of what happens in the Vols' game next week against Kentucky.
No. 18 Virginia 30, Georgia Tech 10
Atlanta -- Alvin Pearman scored two touchdowns, and Virginia came up with four key turnovers. Virginia (8-2, 5-2) kept alive its hopes of at least sharing the ACC title.
No. 19 Boston College 34, Temple 17
Philadelphia -- L.V. Whitworth ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns, and Boston College took another step closer to its first BCS berth. The Eagles (8-2, 4-1) pulled into a first-place tie in the conference.
No. 24 UTEP 57, SMU 27
El Paso, Texas -- Jordan Palmer threw for 339 yards and five touchdowns, and Texas-El Paso (8-2, 6-1 WAC) clinched a bowl berth.
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