November 24, 2008

Mr. College Football: The SEC champ will play for the title

Tony Barnhardt - Mr. College Football of the Atlanta Constitution-Journal - says that SEC fans should simmer down because the SEC champ is definitely going to play in the BCS National Championship game.

I know some Florida fans who were nervous Sunday night when the new BCS Standings were released and the Gators were No. 4 behind Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. They were worried that if Florida beats No. 1 Alabama in the SEC championship game on Dec. 6, they could get squeezed out when Texas and Oklahoma move into the top two spots and play in the big game.

First of all, what the Gators and their fans should be worried right now is Saturday’s trip to No. 20 Florida State. Consider this early warning stat: Florida has traveled to Tallahassee five times to play the week before appearing in the SEC championship game. The Gators are 1-3-1 in those games. Florida State was pretty impressive in beating Maryland on the road 37-3.

If Alabama beats Auburn on Saturday and then beats Florida, the Crimson Tide is obviously in. If Florida beats No. 20 and beats No. 1 they are in and here’s why: Remember that only one of the Big 12 teams ranked ahead of Florida can play in the Big 12 championship game.

In other words, the Big XII champ is going to rack up a win in the conference championship, but the SEC champ is also going to get the same bump. That title game win will allow either Alabama or Florida to secure a spot in the National Championship game.

The little details of Alabama and Florida both having to win rivalry games first this weekend, eh... don't worry about that.

Comments:

Mr. College Football: The SEC champ will play for the title
Tony Barnhardt - Mr. College Football of the Atlanta Constitution-Journal - says that SEC fans should simmer down because the SEC champ is definitely going to play in the BCS National Championship game.
I know some Florida fans who were nervous Sunday night when the new BCS Standings were released and the Gators were No. 4 behind Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma. They were worried that if Florida beats No. 1 Alabama in the SEC championship game on Dec. 6, they could get squeezed out when Texas and Oklahoma move into the top two spots and play in the big game. First of all, what the Gators and their fans should be worried right now is Saturday’s trip to No. 20 Florida State. Consider this early warning stat: Florida has traveled to Tallahassee five times to play the week before appearing in the SEC championship game. The Gators are 1-3-1 in those games. Florida State was pretty impressive in beating Maryland on the road 37-3. If Alabama beats Auburn on Saturday and then beats Florida, the Crimson Tide is obviously in. If Florida beats No. 20 and beats No. 1 they are in and here’s why: Remember that only one of the Big 12 teams ranked ahead of Florida can play in the Big 12 championship game.
In other words, the Big XII champ is going to rack up a win in the conference championship, but the SEC champ is also going to get the same bump. That title game win will allow either Alabama or Florida to secure a spot in the National Championship game. The little details of Alabama and Florida both having to win rivalry games first this weekend, eh... don't worry about that.