Gators to play for national championship?

November 14, 2006 5:05 PM

NCAAfilter: What would have to happen for Florida to play for the national championship (football) this year?
posted by nimkip to sports, hobbies, & recreation (9 answers total)

The NCAA football "national championship" isn't a real championship. It's not like NCAA basketball where they get together for a tournament and the winner becomes the champion. The football "national champion" is chosen by vote of AP newspaper sports reporters.

So aside from the obvious answer, "Get the majority of reporters to vote for Florida", there isn't really any obvious answer, except to point out that no team ever directly plays for the NCAA national football championship.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 5:15 PM on November 14, 2006

According to the sports nut husband person:

The obvious answer is Notre Dame and USC both need to lose, then it still might not happen. The loser of the Ohio State-Michigan game may still be ahead of Florida. It isn't happening.

Bummer, we love the Gators.
posted by LoriFLA at 5:24 PM on November 14, 2006

OK, looking beyond Steven's pedantry (and yes, I know; there was a reason we called it the "mythical national championship" or "MNC" back on rec.sport.football.college).

In order of importance, here are the three obstacles:

1. Florida has to win out and win the SEC championship game.

2. USC must lose to Cal.

3. Hope that the tOSU-Michigan game is decisive -- no one-point win or triple-OT, but a solid 10 point plus win for the victor.

That should be enough to keep Florida ahead of Notre Dame and Rutgers, unless Rutgers wins out and wins the hearts of the coaches. If so, then it's the Sugar Bowl for you.
posted by dw at 5:30 PM on November 14, 2006

USC needs to beat Notre Dame.

Cal needs to beat USC.

There needs to be a definitive winner in the Michingan, Ohio State game.

And Florida needs to win out.

And you need Rutgers to lose to WV, (may not be necessary).
posted by LoriFLA at 5:30 PM on November 14, 2006

So aside from the obvious answer, "Get the majority of reporters to vote for Florida", there isn't really any obvious answer, except to point out that no team ever directly plays for the NCAA national football championship.

The AP is not part of the BCS formula anymore, though they still can split the championship (as they did to USC in 2003 -- LSU having beaten Oklahoma for the BCS championship).

Oh, and also, while the NCAA does not sanction the football national championship, they still govern the schools and scholar-athlete eligibility. So, as phrased, the post is correct. It is NCAAFilter, but it doesn't say "NCAA national championship."

Nyah.
posted by dw at 5:35 PM on November 14, 2006

USC needs to beat Notre Dame.

Cal needs to beat USC.

Cal must beat USC more than USC must beat Notre Dame. If ND beats a 1-loss USC, they will leap Florida for the #2 spot. If they beat a 2-loss USC, then Florida beats a 1-loss Arkansas in Atlanta, I think Florida will stay ahead of them in the polls. And they have to, since they're behind Notre Dame in the computers.

Anyway, Florida is in much better shape than Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights need a big round of messy upsets (a la 1990 or 2001) to have a shot at Ohio State or Michigan.
posted by dw at 5:43 PM on November 14, 2006

Says Pete Fiutak of CFN:
12-1 with an impressive SEC championship might be enough to get it done. It would be nice if USC would lose one more time, and a Rutgers loss to West Virginia could turn out to be a must. Will the SEC raise a stink if it gets the shaft, like it did in 2004 when Auburn was the odd team out, and will everyone feel like it’s the SEC’s turn to get the big break?

Nothing's for sure but I would say they're in (given their winning out) over a one-loss Notre Dame team, but not a one-loss USC, so SC has to lose somewhere. The wildcard is a close tOSU vs Mich game.
posted by PhatLobley at 6:58 PM on November 14, 2006

Not looking so wretched against South Carolina would have helped. Honestly, Florida winning out through the SEC championship is about as likely as Rutgers making the title game.
posted by toothless joe at 8:07 PM on November 14, 2006

They did it!! Go Gators!
posted by LoriFLA at 6:22 PM on December 3, 2006