On Saturday Southern California got pummeled by Stanford at home. Destroyed. Meanwhile, at North Carolina, Miami got beat, too.

So what does that mean here, in the Upper Midwest? It could mean a trip south for the Gophers come bowl time.

With a less-than-inspiring victory over South Dakota State on Saturday the Gophers became bowl-eligible. So where are they going to go? Won't know for sure for a while. There is another regular-season game left, at Iowa. The Gophers still could finish with seven victories, win a Big Ten game in November and win a trophy game. Those last two would be firsts in coach Tim Brewster's era.

But that would mean figuring out a way to move the ball against an outstanding Iowa defensive front. It would mean beating a Hawkeyes team that, despite playing without starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi, went to Ohio State and took the Buckeyes to overtime before losing.

That would mean winning at Kinnick Stadium against a team that could be playing for a BCS bowl berth, a team that beat the Gophers 55-0 in last year's regular-season finale.

Funny how quickly things change.

Just last week it looked as if the Big Ten would get only one team into the 10-team Bowl Championship Series, the conference champion in the Rose Bowl.

Now? Southern Cal's loss -- its third of the season -- could mean the Pac-10 has to settle for one team in the BCS. It looks more and more that the Big East (Cincinnati or Pittsburgh), the Big 12 (Texas, unless it is upset in the conference title game) and the ACC (Georgia Tech) are in the same boat. Even if two BCS-busters get into the mix, Texas Christian and Boise State, that still leaves two spots left for the Big Ten. Ohio State is in the Rose Bowl, thanks to Saturday's overtime victory over Iowa.

If two Big Ten teams play in BCS games -- Iowa and Penn State are candidates to join the Buckeyes -- that leaves six bowls affiliated with the Big Ten. As of today there are seven bowl-eligible Big Ten teams. Michigan is the only team that could join that group, but that would mean beating Ohio State on Saturday.

Long story short, there is a very good chance the Gophers would avoid going to Detroit for the Little Caesar's Bowl and instead would be possibilities for the Insight or Alamo bowls.

If the Gophers upset Iowa, the Hawkeyes (9-2) would have three losses and be out of the BCS mix. But the Big Ten still could have a second BCS team -- Penn State (9-2), if it wins at Michigan State on Saturday.

Moreover, if Penn State and Iowa both finish 10-2, the Nittany Lions still could be selected to the BCS over the Hawkeyes, despite Iowa's victory at Penn State in September. In the latest BCS standings released Sunday, Iowa was No. 13 and Penn State No. 14; a team from a BCS conference must be in the top 14 to earn an at-large bid.

Looking for answers

For the Gophers, winning at Iowa will require improvement from the offense, which had a lackluster performance against South Dakota State.

The question of what's ailing the Gophers offense has been asked all season. Is it the offensive line? Is it quarterback Adam Weber? Is it the receiving corps, minus Eric Decker, not making enough plays?

Depends on what play you're talking about.

After Saturday's game, center D.J. Burris talked about how when things go wrong, protectionwise, it's usually just one guy not doing the right thing.

Brewster, meanwhile, talked at some length about the receivers.

"Guys have to get open when you have the opportunity, and we have to run sharp, precise routes," he said. "These are young guys still working and learning. Da'Jon [McKnight] and Troy [Stoudermire] and Brandon [Green], they're sophomores.

"[Freshman] Bryant Allen played a bunch. That group's very talented, but they lack experience. ... Adam Weber? He may have time, but if there is a guy who's not open, then it goes back to protection."

Weber? There may have been times his receivers didn't come open against South Dakota State. But there were other times when he missed open receivers, including tight end Nick Tow-Arnett in the end zone.

"It takes all 11 guys," Weber said. "Sometimes, when the pocket breaks down, routes don't mean anything, it's about getting open. I'm looking forward to looking at the tape and seeing what we missed on. When we play Iowa, we'll have to hit on those plays."

Entering the regular-season finale, the Gophers are ranked seventh in the Big Ten in passing yards, 11th in rushing yards and total yards.

Difficult assignment

The Gophers have proven they can score. Probably the best offensive game of the season came in the 42-34 victory over Michigan State on Oct. 31 when Weber had a career game.

But Iowa will make a repeat of that difficult. The Hawkeyes have a stout front and a good secondary. Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten in pass defense, third in scoring and total defense.

Big challenge, big stakes. And, in Floyd of Rosedale, a big trophy.

"Growing up, that was my favorite trophy," Weber said. "I can't wait to do whatever I can to help this team win. To be 6-5 at this point? We thought going into the season we could have a better record. It is what it is now. ... I don't think anyone is satisfied with just being bowl-eligible. We want to give ourselves a chance of going to a better bowl game."

Kent Youngblood • kyoungblood@startribune.com