The dust has settled and the BCS bowl bids are out. Regardless of which teams you think should have been ranked at the top, the fight for the national title has been set, and all that's left is the New Year's action on the field.

In order to get a preview of what might happen in the BCS bowls as the calendar flips to 2005, we simulated the matchups using NCAA® Football 2005. Here's how the computer sees the games playing out. Who wins the national title -- and which teams are primed to fall victim to a big upset? Find out below!

ORANGE BOWL: USC vs. OKLAHOMA

A fierce fourth-quarter comeback by USC saw the Trojans stun Oklahoma and win the national title, 24-20.

USC scored 17 unanswered points in the final period, thanks to two touchdown passes from their quarterback and a successful field goal with two minutes remaining that put them over the top. The late rally held up as the Trojan defense stiffened in the final minute and intercepted a pass that would have put the Sooners into field goal range and give them a shot at the tie.

Oklahoma jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first two quarters, thanks to a tough running game, and got a touchdown from their freshman star back midway through the second period -- but USC held the Sooners to only three points the rest of the way. The Southern Cal quarterback had 265 yards passing, while the Trojan halfback had 48 yards rushing and added another 60 yards and a touchdown receiving. The freshman back for OU had 100 yards on the ground.

OU	3	14	0	3	-	20
USC	0	7	0	17	-	24

1 - OU: K #83 44 FG (5:50)
2 - OU: HB #28 8 run (9:07)
2 - OU: WR #9 26 pass from QB #18 (4:46)
2 - USC: HB #21 7 run (1:54)
4 - OU: K #83 19 FG (14:31)
4 - USC: HB #5 46 pass from QB #11 (9:25)
4 - USC: WR #80 20 pass from QB #11 (6:24)
4 - USC: K #16 51 FG (2:00)

SUGAR BOWL:
AUBURN vs. VIRGINIA TECH

Auburn matched USC's heroics in its own game and held on to its undefeated season -- and a claim to a share of the national title -- by rallying to down Virginia Tech, 27-26.

The Tigers got the winning touchdown on a 20-yard pass to a halfback with 1:38 remaining on the clock. The game was closely fought all the way, with Virginia Tech heading into the halftime break leading 14-7, thanks to touchdown passes to two different receivers.

The game was a ground-oriented contest the whole way, as each team had two running backs that topped the 100-yard rushing plateau. Auburn's quarterback had 324 yards passing but also threw three interceptions, which helped the Hokies stay close all the way until the end.

Aub	7	0	7	13	-	27
VT	7	7	6	6	-	26

1 - Aub: HB #24 10 run (5:34)
1 - VT: WR #4 10 pass from QB #3 (1:49)
2 - VT: WR #19 49 pass from QB #3 (0:25)
3 - VT: K #46 27 FG (10:01)
3 - Aub: HB #24 15 run (8:41)
3 - VT: K #46 27 FG (1:21)
4 - Aub: WR #86 27 pass from QB #17 (7:08) (conversion failed)
4 - VT: HB #20 5 run (2:58) (conversion failed)
4 - Aub: HB #23 20 pass from QB #17 (1:38)

ROSE BOWL: TEXAS vs. MICHIGAN

Underdog Michigan knocked off Texas by a touchdown margin in the "Grandaddy Of Them All," giving the Big 10 conference a bit of respect in an otherwise mediocre season.

Texas, which scraped into the Rose Bowl by the skin of its teeth due to BCS computer formulas, didn't play particularly well and its loss gave more steam to football fans that had lobbied for Cal to get the Rose Bowl nod over the Longhorns. In fact, Michigan had a solid 14-point lead until the last minute of the game, and seemed in control for much of the contest.

Michigan's quarterback threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while their top running back had 123 yards on the ground. Texas only got 147 yards through their air, and their rushing attack couldn't carry the team to victory.

UT	7	0	0	10	-	17
Mich	7	7	7	3	-	24

1 - Mich: WR #1 22 pass from QB #7 (10:04)
1 - UT: HB #32 12 run (0:15)
2 - Mich: WR #1 43 pass from QB #7 (10:20)
3 - Mich: HB #20 15 run (3:37)
4 - UT: K #14 53 FG (9:11)
4 - Mich: K #38 42 FG (6:04)
4 - UT: WR #12 15 pass from QB #10 (0:58)

FIESTA BOWL:
UTAH vs. PITTSBURGH

The high-scoring Utes capped an incredible undefeated season by downing surprisingly-tough Pittsburgh in the last of our BCS bowl simulations.

Utah's quarterback threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns -- two to WR #6, who had 10 catches for 131 yards on the day -- in leading the improbable team to its BCS win. Utah racked up more than 470 yards of offense in the contest, but Pittsburgh still hung in there, and was within eight points when the Utes recovered a fumble and ran out the clock to seal the victory.

Utah	14	7	0	10	-	31
Pitt	7	7	6	3	-	23

1 - Utah: WR #6 23 pass from QB #11 (11:00)
1 - Pitt: WR #86 20 pass from QB #3 (7:45)
1 - Utah: WR #6 21 pass from QB #11 (4:43)
2 - Pitt: HB #43 16 run (10:08)
2 - Utah: WR #5 44 pass from QB #11 (0:48)
3 - Pitt: K #22 33 FG (12:18)
3 - Pitt: K #22 28 FG (7:41)
4 - Utah: K #59 34 FG (14:42)
4 - Utah: HB #1 12 run (5:14)
4 - Pitt: K #22 39 FG (3:48)