When The Music Stops...Who Will Be Left Standing As National Champion?

The picture above is blurry for a reason. Because usually the winner is the outright winner. Unfortunately, this season will be like seasons of the past...complicated. So the question now comes to light pending Thursday's BCS Championship:

When the music stops, who will be BCS National Champions?

After the last seven days, here's how they stand.

#1) Oklahoma Sooners

On Deck: vs. Florida @ BCS National Championship Game in Miami

The Sooners have a date with destiny in their eyes. This is most likely their last shot at respect in the BCS with the Broncos possibly pursuing Bob Stoops. But after the comments made by Dominique Franks, this game just got even more interesting. If the Sooners lose this game, and Texas beats Ohio State, guess what? Someone will have a fever, and that fever will not be extinguished by the sound of cowbells.

#2) Florida Gators

On Deck: vs. Oklahoma @ BCS National Championship Game in Miami

The Gators have been here before. It's deja vu for them. They were just here two years ago...and they're looking to extinguish an old flame of their own. The last time the Gators played the Big XII, they weren't even called the Big XII Conference. They lost a demolishing and embarrassing National Championship Game to the Tom Osborne/Tommie Frazier-led Nebraska Cornhuskers (are they called Cornhuskers or Huskers now). Beating Oklahoma not only gets that flame killed...it also shows that the SEC can beat the Big XII.

#3) Texas Longhorns

On Deck: vs. Ohio State in Tostitos Fiesta/Fiasco Bowl in Tempe

The Texas Longhorns have the gripe of the century. Their gripe started after they lost to Texas Tech in Lubbock. They had to settle for a wash game against a team that has been inconsistent all season. The Buckeyes spent the last two seasons being the team to beat, but after a season that consisted of musical chairs at quarterback, the Horns plan to go in and decimate them tonight in the Fiasco Bowl. For people who called the Big XII tough this year, they better tell Ole Miss that they were supposed to lose to Tech. For those who believe that Ohio State will show up, just remember the last two BCS appearances and marinate on that one.

#4) Utah Utes

How They Fared: Defeated #4 Alabama 31-17

For anyone that says that Utah should not be in the talks for the National Championship, think about this: They defeated the team that was #1 for the second half of the season (thanks Oklahoma). They not only defeated them, they had the lead for the entire game (in other words, they never trailed). Utah is the lone undefeated team in the country...and they're from the Mountain West Conference. With the exception of Air Force, the Mountain West was pretty good. Utah proved that they belong in the talk, and if I had a vote, they would be one of the teams I would consider. Did I mention that Utah beat Oregon State, who beat USC???

#5) USC Trojans

The Trojans wanted to make a statement for the National Championship. But their vote may have been destroyed by Utah beating Alabama. Granted, they did beat living legend JoePa and his Nittany Lions, but who didn't see that coming when that's practically USC's home away from home. They think they earned a shot at being considered after Thursday night's game? Think again. Utah has that argument in the bag. Penn State beat Oregon State. Utah beat Oregon State. USC didn't. Since we had a two-loss team last year win the NC, maybe we should consider Penn State or Ohio State as well? Get real. USC's win in the Rose Bowl was a given for a program that had to pray for a miracle to win the Pac-10 in the first place. So with that said, when the smoke clears, USC will be considered for about five minutes...and then Bill Plaschke will be left in the fetus position.

So when the music stops, and if everything happens the way we think it will happen, we should see Florida at #1 and Utah at #2. The BCS will give the Gators the title, while the AP will give Utah the title. Do these two teams deserve it? If Florida gives the SEC two wins over the Big XII this postseason, and Utah beats SEC powerhouse Alabama, you bet your New Year ass they deserve it.

Hopefully, that picture above will become clearer by Friday morning.

{For whoever decides to edit this, leave the picture. There's a reason for it.}