Then there were 3.

Notre Dame's chances to play for a national championship improved greatly Saturday as top ranked Alabama lost to Texas A&M, leaving Oregon, Kansas St and the Irish as the three unbeatens vying for spots in the BCS title game.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel led the Aggies to a 20-0 lead over No. 1 Alabama and then got an assist from his defense late to pull off a stunning 29-24 victory on the Tide's home turf.

The Aggies shocked the Tide from the start. Alabama had not given up a first-quarter touchdown all season. A&M scored three. McCarron had not been intercepted all year. The Aggies picked one off in the first quarter.

And they picked him off again with 1:42 left at the goal line as Alabama appeared to be on the verge of a second straight comeback victory.