BOULDER, Colo. -- Confident the pollsters would reward his team if LSU wins Saturday, Colorado coach Gary Barnett will settle in front of a television, grab some pizza and root for the Tigers to upset Tennessee.

"We're all LSU fans now," Barnett said Tuesday. Referring to Tigers coach Nick Saban, Barnett added, "Go Nick."

An LSU win would improve Colorado's chances of playing for the national championship. Of course, it might benefit Colorado's hated rival, Nebraska, even more.

Barnett is willing to take that chance.

Colorado is on a roll, having knocked off then-No. 2 Nebraska 62-36 and then-No. 3 Texas 39-37 in successive weeks.

The victory over Texas in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday vaulted the Buffaloes from No. 9 in the Associated Press poll to No. 4, one spot ahead of Nebraska.

But in the USA Today-ESPN poll, Nebraska is No. 4 and Colorado is No. 5. And in the Bowl Championship Series ratings released on Monday, Nebraska is third and Colorado fourth. Miami is No. 1 and Tennessee No. 2.

Miami (11-0) has a spot locked up in the national championship game, the Rose Bowl on Jan. 3. If Tennessee (10-1) beats LSU, the Volunteers will join the Hurricanes in Pasadena. Colorado (10-2) then would likely face Oregon (10-1), third in both polls, but fifth in the BCS ratings, in the Fiesta Bowl.

If Tennessee loses, however, the BCS -- a complicated formula which combines the poll average, various computer rankings, strength of schedule and other factors -- will be enveloped in controversy again.

A Tennessee loss means Nebraska (11-1), whose hopes for a sixth national title appeared dead after the lopsided loss to Colorado, would re-enter the picture and likely meet Miami in the championship game.

Colorado fans are calling that potential scenario an injustice.

Barnett won't go that far, but admitted he's not above campaigning among his fellow coaches who vote in the USA Today-ESPN poll.

And he's clear about his favorite in the LSU-Tennessee game.

Asked Tuesday if he'll be rooting loudly for LSU, Barnett said, "Yes, I will."

Even though an LSU win could benefit Nebraska?

"Even though. I just trust that whoever votes and is making these decisions will do the right thing."

Although the Buffs will have 15 recruits on campus this weekend, Barnett said he might watch the LSU-Tennessee game with his players, whom he was sure would join him in cheering for LSU.

"I understand we've messed the BCS up more than anybody has since it's been in existence," Barnett said. "I apologize for all that, but we had to do it. I endorse the BS -- er, BCS system. I think that getting it down to the top two teams in the country based on whatever poll system we have -- computers, etc. -- is the right way to go."

On the other hand, Barnett questioned Nebraska's right to play for the national championship.

"I really don't want to spend time beating this drum, because I'm just going to come across as whining," he said. "But I think it would be very difficult to take Nebraska because it would be a slap in the face to -- in my opinion -- the ACC's No. 1 team, the Big 10's No. 1 team, the Pac-10's No. 1 team and the Big 12's No. 1 team.

"I don't know how they could take a team that didn't go to the league championship and was third in its conference over four or five first-place teams in their conferences."

Whatever the outcome, Barnett promised his team won't be deterred.

"I can guarantee you we're going to play our best football in this last game, no matter where it is or who it's against," he said. "I met with our players Monday. They didn't even know this slim chance even existed (to play for the national championship). They were all excited about the Fiesta Bowl."

Colorado tailback Cortlen Johnson said the players "all feel we should be ahead (of the Huskers) in the BCS rankings, but there's nothing we can do. We pleaded our case by beating Nebraska. It's up to the computers now."

Added Johnson, "In the long run, they're going to have to find something better to determine a true national champion."