Gators Deserve Lofty Perch

To all you people screaming about the injustice of college football’s bowls-and-polls system, please shut up.

Steve Spurrier might be an egotistical jerk - how arrogant, putting on a windbreaker before the traditional Gatorade bath - but his Florida team does deserve the national title.

Sure, it would be nice to have a playoff system. That’s as bold as saying it would be nice to eliminate the national debt.

And yes, in the present situation, skeptics could resurrect the argument for a single-game, post-bowls championship. This time, Florida vs. Ohio State.

But given the present system, there can be no debate. Florida earned the national title with its 52-20 spanking of Florida State. Too, those of us who didn’t vote for Danny Wuerffel to win the Heisman Trophy would change our ballots now.

If that score had been closer, like the 24-20 margin late in the third quarter, Florida State certainly could have made a case for playing Florida a third time.

As it is, nobody can challenge the Gators’ validity as No. 1 in the final polls. Four other teams finished with just one loss, but they can’t match Florida in several telling categories.

Florida’s opponents totaled a record of 85-43, much better than the rest. Also, the Gators defeated four bowl victors, including two New Year’s Day winners (Tennessee and Alabama). Nobody can touch that.

Next, compare those single defeats by the top five. Brigham Young lost convincingly at Washington. Nebraska gave up 503 yards and 37 points in falling to Texas. Florida State couldn’t stop Florida in a neutral setting. Ohio State bombed at home against Michigan.

Florida lost, by three points, in the hostile surroundings at Florida State. Also, the Gators didn’t have two of their best offensive linemen, who returned for the Sugar Bowl and helped noticeably in pass protection and run-blocking.

Given all that, plus the excellent adjustments Florida made (using the shotgun on offense, stopping the run on defense) between Nov. 30 and Jan. 2, the Gators stand alone.

Could this Florida team have beaten Nebraska last year? No way. But this season, in this format, Florida was No. 1. From there, let’s review the bests and worsts of this bowl season.

Best comeback: Ohio State’s last-minute drive to steal the Rose Bowl from Arizona State.

Best clutch play: Steve Sarkisian’s late pass to pull out the Cotton for Brigham Young.

Biggest choke: California blowing a late 10-point lead and losing to Navy in the Aloha.

Biggest near-choke: Auburn, almost blowing a 32-7 lead over Army in the Independence.

Offensive MVP: 1. Wuerffel; 2. Peyton Manning, Tennessee; 3. Koy Detmer, Colorado.

Defensive MVP: 1. Shawn Springs, Ohio State; 2. Tremain Mack, Miami.

Best coaching job: 1. Florida; 2. Nebraska; 3. Iowa.

Worst coaching job: 1. Michigan State, in a trance; 2. Texas Tech, dazed and confused.

Most overrated team: North Carolina, ranked 10th but in reality closer to 20th.

Most underrated team: Wisconsin, not rated but capable of beating Nos. 10-25.

Best conference: Southeastern, winning three Jan. 1-2 games and 5-0 overall in bowls.

Worst conference: Pac-10 and Atlantic Coast, tied at 1-3.

Biggest embarrassment: So many empty seats at so many bowls, especially the Orange.

Biggest turnabout: Penn State winning easily, after Texas controlled the first half.

Biggest surprise: Brigham Young, looking like the best team in Western Athletic Conference history.

Most disappointed loser: Arizona State, by far.

Best game to watch: 1. Rose; 2. Cotton; 3. Holiday.

Worst game to watch: 1. Sun; 2. Alamo; 3. Peach.

Preseason 1997 top five: Ohio State, Nebraska, Florida, Florida State, Penn State.