By Aaron
ByelickButt-ingIn.com expert
As of now, the only team that seems to be a lock for the national championship is Texas.
The Longhorns, in my opinion, are the best team in the country. They have the nation's top ranked defense, two legit Heisman contenders --- not to mention a quarterback in Colt McCoy who is now tied for the leader in wins in college football history.
So who does Texas face if it runs the table as I expect?
Right now it looks like it’s going to be up to Alabama, Florida, and TCU (sorry Cincy and Boise).
We know Alabama and Florida will face off in the SEC championship and the winner will more than likely advance on to the BCS title game, because for some reason everyone has it in their heads that the SEC is so much better than every other conference.
But let’s take a look at the three teams in question here:
No. 1 Florida:
Offensively averaging 428.7 ypg and 33.9 ppg.
Defensively only giving up 233 ypg and winning by an average of 23.4 ppg.
Combined record of opponents so far: 55-47.
Has a win against one team that is currently ranked (LSU).
No. 2 Alabama:
Offensively averaging 417.6 ypg and 30.0 ppg.
Defensively only giving up 239 ypg and winning by an average of 20.0 ppg.
Combined record of opponents so far: 54-47.
Has a win against two teams that are currently ranked (Virginia Tech, LSU).
No. 4 TCU:
Offensively averaging 467.6 ypg and 39.2 ppg.
Defensively only giving up 244 ypg and winning by an average of 22.8 ppg.
Combined record of opponents so far: 56-46.
Has a win against three teams that are currently ranked (Clemson, BYU, Utah).
Taking a look at those statistics, those three teams seem to be evenly matched.
But I would give the slight edge to TCU, seeing as how it has probably faced more quality opponents and has more big wins than the other two.
I know, I know: "But Bama and Florida play in the SEC! TCU is in the Mountain West!"
Save that excuse: Utah dismantled Alabama last year in the Sugar Bowl.
Besides, if you take a look, the big, bad SEC, it really isn’t that great this year. The cream rises to the top and that’s definitely the case with LSU, Florida and Alabama. Taking a look at everyone else, I see a lot of 6-4, 6-5, and worse. If you want to argue that Ole Miss or Auburn are legit, you will get laughed at.
Neither team has a win against anyone worthwhile this season. Besides the big three in the SEC, everyone else this year seems to be about equal (except for Vandy) and have been beating up on each other.
And when I say equal, that's not a good thing.
Now that we have got that fresh in the mind of all the SEC homers, let’s continue.
TCU has dominated their conference this year, including easily handling its only competition (BYU, Utah) in the Mountain West. Florida and Alabama, on the other hand, have struggled against some of their average-at-best conference opponents --- Florida against South Carolina and Arkansas, and Alabama against Tennessee.
Don't forget TCU has a tough 14-10 win over a red hot Clemson team that has potential to upset Georgia Tech and win the ACC if it gets in the conference championship game as expected.
Other than wins against scrubs, neither Florida or Alabama has impressed me this year and I think they are still living off the success of last year’s teams. TCU has looked like a team on a mission all year and is arguably the hottest team in college football right now.
TCU has the offense. TCU has the defense. TCU has the strength of schedule. But will the Horned Frogs get the respect and recognition?
If Florida and Alabama both lose, I sure hope they finally get it.
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