ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Nobody likes to have two losses.

The Miami-Oklahoma game on Saturday would have had a different twist had the Hurricanes defeated Virginia Tech and entered the game a surprising 3-0, but it’s no less interesting because of its BCS implications.

Seven of the top 10 teams from the Week 1 Associated Press rankings have lost. Four of this week’s top 10 teams have one loss, including the No. 8 ranked Sooners. One loss is manageable. Two losses -- save for the 2007 season -- tend to squash BCS hopes.

Miami’s chances at the national title took a severe hit with last week’s loss to Virginia Tech, and in order for the Canes to jump the Hokies in the polls, Virginia Tech obviously has to lose. It’s a Catch 22, though, because the more the Hokies lose, the worse that loss looks for Miami. The odds are slim, obviously, but they’ll vanish almost entirely if Miami loses this one.

Oklahoma is in a similar situation in that the Sooners can’t afford another loss, either. That season-opening loss to BYU is looking even worse after Florida State clobbered the Cougars 54-28 at home.

Consider this an elimination game.