Well, at least one person agrees with me. Now that so many in the nation appear convinced that close counts in college football, that winning isn’t crucial, that the biggest game in Big Ten history may be reduced to a dress rehearsal, we can turn to another sage with a little more clout than I.
Urban Meyer.
Sure, the Florida coach has an agenda. But since America seems to have its own agenda of making sure top-ranked Ohio State (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) and No. 2 Michigan (11-1, 7-1) meet again for the national title, why shouldn’t Meyer do some stumping? Talking to Florida reporters Sunday after Ohio State stopped Michigan 42-39 on Saturday, he popped off about the absurd possibility of a rematch.
“If they do that, then we should have a playoff system next year,” Meyer said. “Those are great teams. I watched the game, every snap. But it is what it is. I do believe as this thing moves on we need a playoff system. If (a rematch) does happen, it’s over. Then all the presidents need to get together and put together a playoff system.
“Like now.”
Keep in mind this was before Meyer’s fears came true, that Michigan stayed in second place in Sunday’s latest Bowl Championship Series standings. The good news for Florida (10-1) and Southern California (9-1), which remained fourth and third, respectively, is the gap won’t last if they keep winning.
Michigan’s lead over USC dropped from .973-.870 to .926- .919. Florida is at .884. Also, Michigan leads USC in five of the six computers. If USC moves ahead in only two of those computer rankings, it would move into second. Florida would move ahead of Michigan in the BCS if the Gators move ahead in the computer average.
What this means is USC and Florida merely need impressive wins to raise their computer stock. And they’re lined up. USC hosts Notre Dame (10-1), fifth in the BCS, on Saturday and then visits rival UCLA (6-5). Florida plays at rival Florida State (6-5) and then plays No. 6 Arkansas (10-1) in the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Who can possibly think that if USC or Florida survives all that, one of them doesn’t deserve a shot at Ohio State? Apparently a lot.
“I’ve already seen it happen,” Meyer said. “I’ve seen the lobbying begin. … Let’s see what the nationwide polls and sportswriters, fans and media say. I’d say 117 I-A coaches don’t want a rematch. But I don’t believe it’s up to them.”
Michigan can still get in if USC and Florida stumble. That’s entirely possible. But BCS analyst Jerry Palm of Collegebcs.com doesn’t think it’s possible that Michigan can remain second if USC or Florida win out. Good.
“I’d like to think of Michigan as an honorary No. 2 this week,” Palm said. “If they have a rematch, all (Saturday’s) game means is who wears white in the national championship.”
Miami one big mess
It’s getting uglier in Miami, where a 17-7 pratfall at Virginia has left the Hurricanes one loss to Boston College from not even making a bowl game. Miami (5-6) has lost four straight for the first time since 1997 and only twice since 1983 has it not gone bowling: in 1995 when it self-imposed a bowl sanction and in 1997 in the middle of NCAA probation.
What’s more disturbing are what the Miami players are saying. Against a 5-6 Virginia team that may not make a bowl game, either, Miami didn’t score until late in the game.
“Things aren’t clicking,” quarterback Kirby Freeman said. “They’re simply not clicking.”
Defensive tackle Teraz McCray may have given an indication why: “We have to figure out why we’re losing, and we’re lacking energy.”
Lacking energy? You can bet Miami president Donna Shalala won’t lack energy in firing coach Larry Coker and going after Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez. Shalala hired Alvarez as coach when she was at Wisconsin and always has admired how he lifted the Badgers to national prominence and kept them there. He interviewed at Miami in 1995 and turned it down in 2001.
Friends say Alvarez, who retired last year after 16 years at Wisconsin, misses coaching. Also, if he goes to Miami he may take former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney along as his defensive coordinator, recreating their work relationship at Wisconsin from 1990-94.
Footnotes
How ugly was Texas Christian’s 52-0 humiliation of San Diego State? The Horned Frogs gained 624 yards to the Aztecs’ 87, and at one point TCU’s Jeff Ballard completed 14 straight passes. … Alabama players fumed over pictures of Auburn players wearing T-shirts reading “Fear the Thumb,” indicating one more win in the rivalry would be five straight for Auburn. The anger didn’t help. Auburn won for the thumb, 22-15. It is Auburn’s first five-game win streak in the Iron Bowl since 1958. … Michigan’s 80-yard touchdown drive to open the game marked the first time an opponent had scored on its first drive against Ohio State all year. … Final thought after leaving Troy Smith in Columbus: Should there be a Heisman Trophy poll for second place?
Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
