'Bama, Gators set up semifinal

At least one spot in the BCS national championship game is reserved for the Southeastern Conference champion.

A Big 12 South team is probably first in line for the other spot — but which one?

No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Florida cruised into their league title showdown next week with resounding victories against fierce rivals Saturday.

No. 3 Oklahoma forged a three-way tie atop the Big 12 South with fellow national title contenders Texas and Texas Tech by beating Oklahoma State 61-41 Saturday night.

Coach Nick Saban's Crimson Tide snapped a six-game losing streak against Auburn with a 36-0 victory in the Iron Bowl.

"We don't have to hear about it anymore. We beat them good. We left no doubt. It's a good way to finish them off," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said.

Alabama (12-0) heads to the Georgia Dome for its first appearance in the SEC championship game since 1999.

Tim Tebow and the Gators extended their winning streak against Florida State to five games with a 45-15 victory in Tallahassee.

"That's a really good football team in that locker room," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "I've done this for quite a while, and that's as proud as I've ever been."

The Gators and Tide will play the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in a conference title game and the winner is virtually assured of advancing to the BCS national title game on Jan. 8 in Miami.

The opponent? That'll also be determined next week, but heading into Sunday it was unclear which teams would be playing for a shot and which teams would be watching with a shot.

No. 7 Texas Tech rallied behind Graham Harrell from a 14-point deficit to beat Baylor 35-28 and keep the Red Raiders in the hunt for a Big 12 South title.

More importantly, though, the Red Raiders kept No. 4 Texas from clinching the South and a berth in the conference title game against Missouri next week.

When Oklahoma capped the day by pulling away from its in-state rival, the decision of which team wins the South was handed over to the BCS poll voters and computer ratings.

The team with the highest ranking when the BCS standings come out Sunday plays in the Big 12 title game. Texas was ahead in the standings last week, but Oklahoma was close and could pass the Longhorns after a winning in Stillwater, Okla.