THE HONORABLE
  • 10:19 PM ET  12.05
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Oklahoma vs. Texas, for it all?

As the Oklahoma - Texas - Big Twelve South controversy continues to swirl, it's only fitting that this melodrama drags on into this weekend's BCS selection weekend. I for one - have hypothesized a Red River Rivalry Rematch (say that four times fast) since the weekend right after Texas' 45 - 35 victory over the Sooners.

With the latest scenario in the polls and computers, the possibility continues to linger for such. In fact, you could say the shift of Texas and Florida in the polls last week (Texas gaining, Florida slightly sliding) heightened the possibility. If Florida routs #1 and undefeated Alabama for the SEC title - I think the likelihood of a Big Twelve rematch is near zero. But do you think Florida is going to rout a Nick Saban led Alabama team? Nick Saban is too good of a coach. If Florida wins this game, they will have to fight for it. That is exactly what Florida doesn't want to happen - because it won't incline a significant number of voters to shift their votes. Face it - the SEC has imploded, and is no where near the dominant conference of 2006 and 2007. Not to mention, Alabama has played a heavily diluted schedule - so much so the computers prefer one-loss Texas and Oklahoma over them - with Utah gaining.

Even with a 12 - 1 Alabama added to the schedule - this assumes they win - Florida will not pass Oklahoma or Texas in strength of schedule (by the BCS recognized S.O.S.). These same computers - that have Alabama #3 behind Oklahoma and Texas. Do the computers bump Florida above Oklahoma and Texas when they beat a team rated lesser? I highly doubt it. I can imagine the outcry if Florida - the SEC Champion - is blockaded out of the national title game. Not only that, but they would likely be #1 in the AP poll. Let the imaginative chaos reign.

Of course, this is all theorized, and I'm certainly not taking a side. We don't know how the computers will react and/ or how the voters will swing the votes because we don't know the games will go. If Alabama and Oklahoma win - then this is moot. If Oklahoma loses, then Texas and the SEC winner is in. But just imagine the chaos? And, how lately, it seems like we can't go a year without an "are you serious?" moment. But one thing I have always rooted for is BCS chaos. It makes you wonder with the current backlash - would a snubbing of Florida be the straw to break the camel's back? We wouldn't necessarily have a full-blown playoff (which I oppose), but a plus-one type system (which I do support and would be perfect for this year's "controversies", and 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998....)

Only time will tell, but I've predicted Alabama to survive a defensive struggle and Oklahoma to win an explosive shoot-out. Alabama 26, Florida 23. Oklahoma 58, Missouri 35. National title participants = Oklahoma vs. Alabama. Bob Stoops vs. Nick Saban. Big Twelve versus SEC. Doesn't get any better.

But if Florida wins in an ugly fashion, then it can get interesting...

December 6, 2008  03:14 PM ET

If Alabama can find a way to hold Florida to 23 points, that might be a bigger story than who is playing in the NC.

December 7, 2008  03:17 AM ET

Can't wait to see these polls tomorrow...

December 7, 2008  06:28 AM ET

I would LOVE a second chance at Texas. It wouldn't even be close.

No chance an SEC team won't be in the title game though. Hawaii's loss will hurt Florida with the computers, but the voters will more than make up for it.

December 7, 2008  10:02 AM ET

It would be a great game even though I don't think it would happen because the voters wouldn't like to see 2 teams from the same conference division play for the national championship.

December 7, 2008  10:03 AM ET

^^^^^
Most importantly it would have the 2 best teams playing for the national championship.

December 7, 2008  11:41 AM ET

Deja vu from a couple years back when OSU beat Michigan by a field goal, and UF went to title game instead of Michigan.
Texas will still be at number 3. OU/UF in Miami.

December 7, 2008  01:08 PM ET

I agree #6, but in 2006, Michigan didn't have the computers on it's side, it mainly had the voters up until that last ballot. Florida had the PC's from the start with it's incredible SOS, while Michigan wavered between 3/4 (USC also gave Michigan a run in the computers - hence them losing it's spot when it lost to UCLA 13-9). Texas DOES have a computer advantage, so I can't wait until this afternoon. If that isn't enough, notice Stewart Mandel's final ballot...

(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/12/07/ap.bal lot/index.html)

Even if Florida and Oklahoma square off in Miami (which is highly likely, it's just always fun to theorize BCS chaos)... say Oklahoma wins in a close one. You have AP voters like Mandel who insist on keeping Texas above Oklahoma. Split national title, a la 2003 again? And the new formula was suppose to prevent such...

December 7, 2008  01:10 PM ET

^
*replace all it's with its if they are incorrectly used (exhaustion...)

December 7, 2008  01:35 PM ET

So now that is over, and Florida - Oklahoma will meet in the championship game, can the Big 12 whiners PLEASE SHUT UP?

 
December 7, 2008  09:58 PM ET

Case closed. Unless, the AP voters decide to revisit this issue after the national championship game in the event of an Oklahoma win (doubtful). Congrats Bob Stoops, and all the Oklahoma Sooners, and good luck in the national championship game.

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