The BCS and Florida Teams

Well I might as well continue this topic, even though I'm upset over Miami losing this past week.

The top teams have been in a constant state of flux, and even this past week we saw the number one team get supplanted by someone else. Only this time, the number one team did not lose! Oregon jumped in front of Auburn in the BCS rankings for the Ducks first number one spot this season. The Oregon Ducks have been number in in some of the other polls this year, but this was the first time the computers have recognized them as the best team in the nation.

Auburn begs to differ. As long as the Tigers continue to win however, a showdown against Oregon seems the likley for the national championship.

In the end, the BCS rankings are the only one that matter as far as title hopes go. TCU, Boise State, and Utah are the other teams that fill up the top 5 in the BCS. Those three teams are all from non-automatic qualifying conferences. That means they will have to stay undefeated to earn a spot in one of the five BCS bowl games.

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In local news, Florida State remains ranked, but barely. The Seminoles suffered an embarrassing loss last week against a NC State team they should have beat. Fumble woes spelled the doom for the Noles, who gave the Wolfpack the win in the end. Fla. State is ranked at the # 24 spot.

The Seminoles face off against the North Carolina Tarheels, a team that the Miami hurricanes beat. The Seminoles have already beaten the Hurricanes so this looks like a game they should win.

The Noles are the only Florida team ranked as of right now. Miami plummeted out of the top 25 after its stunning loss to the Virginia Cavaliers and the Florida Gators remained unranked even though they won against the Georgia Bulldogs. The USF Bulls, who are a long way from being ranked, won against the Cincinnati Bearcats as well.

The UCF Knights are on a positive winning streak as well. They beat East Carolina last week and face off against a Houston team that is missing its star QB. UCF might get ranked if they keep their losses down to the two they have right now.

Miami plays a Maryland team that is known for under performing, but then again, so is Miami. The Hurricanes are also going to play this game without their star QB and leading rusher. Both Jacory Harris and Damian Berry will miss the game against the Terrapins which then leaves this game in the hands of 4th string QB Steven Morris and the other talented RBs in Miami's stable.

USF has a night game tonight. They host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights a team that has beaten them the past four match ups against the Bulls. New head coach Skip Holtz better have his squad prepared tonight.

The Gators seem to have the best chance of climbing back into the rankings. They travel to Vanderbilt to play a soft Commodores team and then host the South Carolina Gamecocks, who are ranked.

Surprisingly enough Miami, Florida, Florida State, and UCF all have chances to win their division. Obviously in Miami and Florida State's case the two teams would play each other in the ACC title game (here at Raymond James) if those two teams manage to get there. The Hurricanes will need some help, but the Seminoles control their own destiny. Florida, even with three losses in the SEc can still manage a spot in the SEC title game as long as they win out. UCF is the only team in Florida that is perfect within its own conference.

Until next time.