Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators ranked 1-2 in latest BCS Standings
Too Early to Hype Bragging Rights

The latest BCS (Bowl Championship Series) Standings have the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida Gators ranked number 1 and 2 respectively (BCS Details), but does this mean that the battle for Florida and the nation will take place in California at The Rose Bowl on January 3, 2002?

Maybe ...

Obviously, if both Miami and Florida win their remaining games, then it appears to be a no-brainer.

Virginia Tech (8-2) is the only team that stands in the Miami Hurricanes way. However, Florida has to beat Tennessee this week, and then, the winner of Saturday's Auburn - LSU game in the SEC Championship on December 8.

If Tennessee beats Florida and then captures the SEC title as well, then the Vols might be facing the Hurricanes for the national championship as long as Colorado beats Texas for the Big 12 Championship. The Vols might be able to overcome the one point difference with Oregon whether Oregon beats Oregon State or not.

But, if Tennessee beats Florida and then loses the SEC title game and Colorado beats Texas and Oregon beats Oregon State should we expect a PAC-10 team at The Rose Bowl on January 3 to face Miami? Assuming Miami wins.

And what about Colorado? Most of the time one game does not make a season, but they sure spanked Nebraska around (We'll get to the Huskers in a moment). Looks like Colorado is on a roll. What if Colorado put the same hurt on Texas? Colorado has a pretty good argument for the number 2 ranking and a date with Miami in Pasadena.

And as impossible as it may seem, we might even have a true Big-10 vs. PAC-10 Rose Bowl game for the national championship between Illinois and Oregon. Ok, this might be a little off the deep end.

Back to Nebraska. As odd as this sounds the Huskers might be in the driver's seat (make that the couch potato seat). By not playing at all Nebraska could witness a very plausible scenario that pits them against Miami for the title with a lot more rest to boot.

The best thing right now for college football fans is to just sit back, relax and watch some great football over the next few weeks as this whole thing sorts itself out.

This is not a prediction, but a Miami-Colorado Rose Bowl for the BCS National Championship Game to determine which team will be presented The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s MacArthur Bowl Trophy and the Sears Trophy would be a great game.

A few things are for sure ... California, Rutgers and Temple will not be in the BCS Championship Game

Bowl Championship Series Standings

For the BCS details click here

(Games Through Nov. 24, 2001)