Florida's national title chances rely on voters

ESPN ^ | Dec. 03, 2006 | Mark Schlabach

[indcons]

ATLANTA -- Michigan had its chance against Ohio State and lost. Southern California couldn't even beat its struggling rival on Saturday, so the Trojans won't get an opportunity to play the No. 1 Buckeyes more than a month from now.

Florida is next in line, and after beating Arkansas 38-28 in Saturday night's SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome, the Gators deserve the opportunity to play Ohio State in the Jan. 8 BCS title game in Glendale, Ariz.

Florida finished 12-1 against one of the country's toughest schedules, won its first SEC title since 2000 and lost one game in a conference that is still regarded the sport's toughest from top to bottom.

"We certainly do," Florida coach Urban Meyer said when asked Saturday night whether he believes the Gators should get a chance to play Ohio State. "Florida belongs. The other team had a shot. We went 12-1, and I think the country wants to see the Southeastern Conference champion against the Big 10 champion. I think that's what this is all about."

But because of college football's inept system of determining which two teams will play for the national championship, voters around the country will decide Sunday whether the Gators or Wolverines will play the Buckeyes in the Arizona desert.

[betsyross1776]

Big deal you got a scanner I am not impressed ,but babies must play so have fun. At least when you are picking on me you will leave others alone. Michigan is still n umber 2 read it and weep!GGGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCKEYES!

[lepton]

Michigan's best win is considered a 27-13 victory over Wisconsin on Sept. 23. The Badgers are 11-1 and have climbed to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 poll, despite having played only one ranked opponent -- the Wolverines -- the entire season.

Penn state isn't ranked despite beating every team on its schedule not ranked in the top 10. Wisconsin only had two wins that were even remotely close, unlike Florida...and Florida wasn't winning on pure defense and controlling the game, so toss that explanation away.

[lepton]

The Wolverines went 1-1 against ranked opponents, beating a highly overrated No. 2 Notre Dame team (that lost to Michigan and USC by a combined total of 46 points)

Michigan isn't any good because its wins are over teams that it beat...even if pretty much nobody else could beat them.

[lepton]

Ohio State and Wisconsin

OSU didn't play Wisconsin this year.

[lepton]

Michigan had to go into Ohio state 1 day after the DEATH of a beloved coach,

That''s beloved EX-coach...which fired them up like nothing you can imagine if you're not from the area. Do you think a retired Bear Bryant dying would discourage Alabama against Auburn? Hardly.

[betsyross1776]

If you cared about your coach and he died it would, have you ever experienced some one you knew and liked dying . You do not get over it in 24 hours, at least I don't.

[Sunnyflorida]

"Sorry to jump into your discussion, but many of the clowns
are Michigan/Ohio transplants."

Yes and I hope all you snowbirds stay home. Please.

[Sunnyflorida]

"Florida is the only reason why the GOP won the last 2 presidential elections while Michigan has consistently been a Democratic lock. I don't think I'd be bringing up voting.

Florida is a state that is booming while Michigan is a state in serious decline. It's likely in the next reapportionment that Georgia will catch up or exceed Michigan in population - Florida left Michigan in the dust long ago."

Don't let on please. the last thing I want if more people from OHO and MICHIGAN. Please.

[lepton]

They didn't "get over it" They used it for inspiration.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Sadness, I want the SEC to get their shot and Florida to play for the NC. But I want LSU to go to the Rose Bowl. Ahhhh Conflicted conflicted. Florida has got it though. So we shall have to beat the Irish I guess which is always fun

From "Blazing Saddles": We'll take the *iggers and the Chinese, but we don't want the Irish!

LSU is going to stomp Notre Dame....

[half-cajun]

Psssst. Your emotional responses on this thread are giving us other women here a bad name.

[betsyross1776]

I could care less.

[subterfuge]

Do you know anything about how Fl cheats their way into anything and what a history they have.

No. Lets hear it genius.

[half-cajun]

"I could care less."

Obviously.

[Georgia]

I do not agree with you. I think any coach whose team had the season Mich/FL had has the right to lobby for their team. Thats what they have to do because of the idiotic system we play in. As well, I bet there are many Mich fans who wish Llyod Carr had the forsight to lobby for his team following the OSU game. Don't blame Urban Meyer for working the system. Blame the clowns who support the BCS and give us the system.

[Georgia]

Wisconsin is a joke. I wish everyone would read the entire article posted. It is pretty clear that Wisconsin should not even be ranked in the top 10 or 15.

[Georgia]

BetsyRoss-
For your sake, I hope Mich does not get crushed by a USC team the lost to 2 un ranked teams. Would put your best tream theory in jeopardy.

[southernerwithanattitude]

I agree, Mich. may get hammered by USC. It will be interesting to see them play a real team.

[betsyross1776]

I could care less what people in here think of me. The fact is Michigan did nothing to lose that rating. We lost it and I cannot help it if I feel the whole ball of wax is totally unfair. All this national championship is now is politics. The Fl coach who I think is a fool , squawked and moaned till he got his way. Fact is USC is nothing against Michigan. We played some pretty touch teams , but forget it. But , as a person who posts and is counted on to make a donation to keep this blog available to blog on. I am free to cry foul play which you know is true. Yes , Michigan could get beaten by USC , but the fact is the very team that squawked their way to the top got a rematch when we beat Ohio State at Ohio state one year. The very same team that moaned they should jump ahead of us, did what we should have been by right, able to do.If Fl wants to play this kind of games don't expect this long time football fan to eat it up. If it was up to me and I could get enough people I would bus to New York this weekend just to picket the Heisman. The bcs stinks to high hilt. Why should losers get the chance to vote. why not a play off? When Ohio State creams Fl and I know Ohio State and William T. Sherman Tressel , you will be in here admitting to me that Fl should have never even been there. All these southerns and espn, who want to do is rule the bcs, are doing is making excuses. As far as Michigan losing , hey remember last year, I still support my team, I am not a Saturday fan, If we lose we have lose nothing .But when we win ,which I believe we will and Fl loses look out . Out comes the salt for the wombs.

[Georgia]

In regards to the BCS, you are preaching to the choir. I have thought it sucked ever since it began. As well, you are directing your anger at people and coaches who did not create the current system. Florida worked the system the same way Michigan could have worked the system. I listened to Lloyd Carr on the radio today and his reason for not making a case for Michigan was extremely weak. Michigan is not the first team to be screwed out of a shot at the championship. Nor will they be the last as long as things stay the way they are. Your tirade against Southerners makes no sense. I can understand your frustration being a loyal Michigan fan. I had to hear the same thing from Auburn fans a few years ago. Both of you have valid points. However, until they change the system it will happen again. As far as I can tell the only conference who has not gotten shafted by the BCS is the Big 12. It seems your are taking the commentary posted very personally when it is not meant to be.