Oklahoma v. Florida in the FedEx BCS Championship Game tonight: Should it be Florida v. Utah?

January 8, 12:32 PMGeorgia Bulldogs ExaminerMechele R. Dillard

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Utah coach Kyle Wittingham and quarterback Brian
Johnson hold up the Sugar Bowl championship trophy
Utah defeated Alabama 31-17. Don't they deserve a shot
at Florida more than Oklahoma? (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Okay, Moreno and Stafford are gone; we know that, now. What we don’t know is this: Will it be No. 1 Oklahoma (12-1) or No. 2 Florida (12-1) in the BCS National Championship Game tonight?

Well, we know it won’t be Georgia … oh, well. Not much to be said about that, I guess. I mean, they just didn’t do it this year.

We also know it won’t be Utah. Lots of arguments to be made there. No. 6 Utah is 13-0, after upsetting No. 4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl—the final team Florida beat to get into the championship.

Most puzzling may be Texas—ranked No. 3, Texas is also 12-1, with their loss coming to Texas Tech, 39-33. Hmmmmm … if their loss came against Texas Tech, then that means … yes, the No. 3 team has already beaten the No. 1 team in the nation. And, it was a convincing win for Texas, 45-35.

Hmmmmmm.

Well, it’s all said and done, now, but I think it’s pretty clear: The BCS standings are subjective to the whims of the people ranking the teams. Throw in computers, sure, but computers can only come up with answers based on what humans throw into them—using computers in the process does not, in any way, shape or form, guarantee neutrality or fairness.

Let’s face it: Oklahoma v. Florida is more TV-friendly than Florida v. Utah. Or Florida v. Texas. Or, heaven help us, Utah v. Texas. And, what is “TV-friendly” a euphemism for? Dollars. Cash. Money.

No matter what the situation, your top teams will always, always be the teams that sponsors want to advertise around—the top teams will always be the teams that are deemed the biggest money-making combination, whether they deserve to be there or not.

Thus, no Florida v. Utah.

Even with a loss to Ole Miss, it’s hard to argue that Florida doesn’t deserve to be in the championship game tonight. They are a whirlwind of power—even the most staunch member of the Bulldog Nation can admit and respect that reality. But, Oklahoma, the No. 1 team, has already lost to Texas, the No. 3 team—Oklahoma shouldn’t be there, I don’t care how badly they beat Texas Tech. Yes, Texas lost to Texas Tech, but that is a far second factor in my book, considering the two teams actually played each other and Texas came out on top. And, of course, at a solid 13-0, it’s hard to keep arguing that the non-BCS Utah doesn’t deserve a shot at the top. (By the way, USC, the No. 5 team, lost to Oregon State—a team Utah defeated. So, they are out.)

If all were fair and neutral, I say you would have a Florida v. Utah match-up in the BCS Championship tonight.

But, unfortunately for Utah, the Utes, well, they just are not as sexy as Oklahoma, and sponsors/advertisers want sexy.

So, here we are, Oklahoma v. Texas, January 8, 2009, in the FedEx BCS Championship Game, kicking off at 8:00 pm (EST) on Fox.

Shrug.

Ultimately, tho’, whoever it is, as a loyal member of the Bulldog Nation, I have this single benchmark: If Florida is involved, I cheer for the other team.

So, tonight, my significant other and I will be laid back on the tailgate, eating fried chicken, drinking some brew, and cheering our hearts out for the Sooners, whether I think they should be there or not.

Well, actually, it’s too cold to tailgate.

And, I don’t drink.

And, honestly, my other half will probably cheer for Florida just to get me going.

But, you get the idea.

Go Sooners!