Miami clinches berth, but No. 2 in BCS is still muddled argument
   
   
Dennis Dodd Dec. 1, 2001
By Dennis Dodd
SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Dennis your opinion!
 
   

DALLAS -- After a wild day of football only one thing is certain. No. 1 Miami clinched a Rose Bowl berth.

After that, it's a pick-'em for the No. 2 position in the Bowl Championship Series. Nebraska and Tennessee seemingly will occupy the 2-3 spots when the new BCS ratings are released Monday. But as of Saturday night, the order of the teams below Miami isn't certain.

Best guess: Miami, followed by Nebraska at No. 2 with a slight lead over No. 3 Tennessee. It was not immediately clear if Tennessee would pass Nebraska with a victory in the SEC title game. Nebraska completed its season Nov. 23.

That's right. Nebraska (11-1) could hang on to the No. 2 spot 15 days after it stopped playing. Tennessee moved into Rose Bowl contention with its 34-32 victory over Florida. Colorado's upset victory over Texas in the Big 12 Championship game allowed Nebraska back into the race.

Projected order of BCS
1. Miami
2. Nebraska or Tennessee
3. Nebraska or Tennessee
4. Oregon

Tennessee started the day No. 6 in the BCS but should move up to at least No. 3. The Vols' victory over No. 2 Florida will vault them up to at least No. 3 from No. 5 in both human polls. Nebraska, No. 4 in the BCS, had both teams immediately above it lose -- Florida and Texas.

It might come down to less than a point for the No. 2 BCS spot. Whatever the result this week, Tennessee has to win Saturday against LSU in the SEC title game to have a shot at the Rose Bowl.

 

 R E L A T E D   L I N K S:



 T O P   N E W S