He is currently injured but looking to return shortly

The credit agency also cut both Hyundai and affiliate KiaMotors (000270.KS) to BB-plus, or the top end of "junk", downone notch from their prior BBB-minus ratings. Automakers around the world face their toughest businessenvironment in recent memory, hit by a sharp slide in sales asthe financial crisis spreads, squeezing credit and consumerappetite for cars. It cut Toyota by twonotches to "AA" from its highest rating of "AAA" and cut Nissanby one notch, to "BBB" from "A-". "The deterioration in the global auto sector is extendinginto the compact car segment, on which Honda depends materiallyfor its earnings and cash flow, and into emerging markets, whichhave so far mitigated the decline in developed markets," Fitchsaid in a release. Though South Korean auto makers had fared better, giventheir rising sales to emerging economies, these markets havealso been showing signs of weakness since late last year, Fitchnoted The Fitch downgrades followed an announcement from Moody'searlier on Wednesday that it had placed Nissan's "A3" long-termissuer rating under review for possible downgrade to examine itsability to cope with falling global demand. "In Moody's view, Nissan in particular faces challenges inits North American markets, including declining vehicle salesand deterioration in its product mix," it said in a report.

Moody's, which expects all developed car markets to remainin recession through this year and beyond, has also placed itsAaa rating on Toyota and Aa3 rating on Honda Motor under reviewfor possible downgrade. Moody's has given Toyota its best rating, Honda itsfourth-highest and Nissan the seventh-highest. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Chrysler was in talks tosell key assets to the alliance of Nissan and Renault SA(RENA.PA), as well as auto supplier Magna. ID:nN13428466 A Moody's spokeswoman said the rating review would notfactor in the possible acquisition by Nissan of Chrysler assetsahead of an official announcement.

(Additional reporting by Rafael Nam in HONG KONG; Editing byMichael Watson and Hans Peters) Stocks. There are currently seven teams undefeated in the BCS ranking system. Obviously, the teams favored to play in the BCS National championship game are Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Iowa. If all of these major conference teams lose one game, does Cincinnati, Boise State, or TCU deserve a shot at the BCS National Championship.The Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0) have a quality schedule remaining. The Bearcats finish the season with the 13 Pittsburgh Panthers (6-1), West Virginia (4-2), Connecticut Huskers (4-3), and the Illinois Illini (2-6).

The game against the Pittsburgh Panthers could potentially be a match-up against two teams ranked in top five. The Bearcats feature one of the top offenses in the nation ranking in the top 15 in college football even with the absence of senior quarterback Tony Pike. Pike is arguably one of the best pure passing quarterbacks in college football. He is currently injured, but looking to return shortly. His return could propel the Bearcats to a shot at a BCS Championship appearance. The Boise State Broncos are familiar with the BCS as they stunned the Oklahoma Sooners three years ago in the Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos pulled off three trick plays in the 4th quarter and overtime to defeat the Sooners. The Broncos arguably have a tougher road to the BCS Championship game with a weaker schedule, but Boise State defeated the 8 Oregon Ducks earlier this year in the season opener. The Oregon Ducks currently have a 7-1 overall record and defeated the USC Trojans this past weekend. The TCU (Texas Christian University) Horned Frogs come into this week ranked 6 in the BCS rankings.