Texas Vs. Florida: Who Will Get The Nod For The BCS?

Every year, there are at least two teams battling for a shot at glory. But this year, we have got five teams who all want to be crowned National Champions. But with everything that has happened, there are two teams that are beginning to stir the pot...and they both have a chance at glory if they can win out and hope for some luck.

This is the story of those two teams. You can decide who gets the nod after it's all said and done.

Texas Longhorns (#4 AP Top 25, #3 BCS)

The Longhorns are ranked fourth in the Top 25, but they're ranked third in the BCS. Why is that? This season, the Big XII South has become the center of controversy in regards to the BCS Championship. But to make matters worse, if the inevitable happens this weekend, Texas could be going to Miami to play for the National Championship. All they need is for Oklahoma to beat Texas Tech...and for Missouri to beat them as well.

It's clear that Texas will not play even if Texas Tech loses. The Horns should have beaten the Raiders when they had the chance. Why deny the other teams who have a chance at the Glass Ring the opportunity to fight for it if the computer says it should be the Longhorns. Texas has had a tough schedule this season, no question about it. But their loss to Tech was more damaging than anything. Colt McCoy has done his part to keep the Horns in the hunt, but if Tech wins in Norman this weekend, all of that would have been for nothing.

Why should Texas worry? Because Utah, Ball State & Boise State are undefeated. Not only that, it was Boise State that shocked the world by defeating Oklahoma via the ol' school Statue of Liberty Play two years ago. All three look dangerous and are looking for an upset against the biggest and baddest in the country. Texas may have a stronger SOS than Florida (supposedly), but the Gators are playing for the SEC Championship in three weeks while Texas hopes that they'll get a pass over Tech and Oklahoma.

But again, that depends on the outcome of the Raiders-Sooners Showdown in Norman.

Florida Gators (#3 AP Top 25, #4 BCS)

The Gators are one of the biggest success stories in recent memory. It took them a decade to win their second national championship, their first in the post-Spurrier Era. But they came up short last year with three big losses (including LSU & Michigan). Now they're back with a vengeance this year, and the possibility of being back in the main spotlight of the BCS Championship Game.

All they have to do is win out against their remaining three opponents, including a dejected Florida State team that lost by 10 last weekend. But they're biggest test is the week after when they travel to Atlanta to play the Alabama Crimson Tide (who also are in the hunt for the BCS Championship) for the SEC Title. Florida lost a heartbreaker to Ole Miss (who are bowl eligible) by a single point. But that loss has come back to haunt the Gators mainly because of the way that Texas has played this season.

The Horns also have one loss on their tab this season, but it was a six-point loss to then-#5 Texas Tech. The Raiders are primed to win the Big XII against a Missouri Tigers team that hasn't played up to their potential this season. But Mizzou is sitting pretty...they're not in a possible three-way tie in the Big XII North. In the land where smashmouth football is practically perfected, Florida knows that they control their own destiny. But it wouldn't hurt them to treat their last three games like it is the BCS Championship. I know that The Citadel would be considered a joke game for Florida, but even they can play a spoiler on any given day.

Florida can beat The Citadel. Florida can beat Florida State. And Florida can beat Alabama. The question isn't whether Florida can do it. The question is if they do it, what will the crystal ball hold for them?

The Verdict

This can be a bonefied toss-up between either team. Bottom line is that either team can be selected to play for the National Championship. But Texas needs more help than Florida does. Texas needs to hope that they win the tiebreaker for the Big XII South, while Florida has a matchup against #1 Alabama coming up in December.

So if Florida beats Alabama (and the Tide remains undefeated heading into their game against Florida), Florida wins the SEC. If Oklahoma beats Texas Tech, and all three Big XII teams win out the remainder of their games, guess what? Texas Tech still wins the Big XII South, because the standings have Texas above Oklahoma right now. So guess who gets the nod in the event that this three way tie leads to even more controversy. That's right kids, Florida gets the nod. But if Alabama beats Florida, it won't matter as much because the Tide will have won the SEC outright, and Florida will most likely play either Texas or Oklahoma in another BCS Bowl.

This is mainly decided on whether Florida beats Florida State and Alabama. So you see, Austin won't be the only place watching Norman, OK with intrigue. Gainesville and Tuscaloosa will be watching as well. And who knows? Maybe USC will find its way into the conversation after all. But if it was up to the B/R Writers, I would bank on a potent Gators offense to shock the Tide defense and their stout defense to shut down Colt McCoy and the Longhorns.

Verdict: Florida