Florida was an up-and-coming power and Oklahoma was a declining one when Bob Stoops made his move. He left his post as Gators defensive coordinator to take his first head-coaching job with the Sooners.
Ten years later, both programs are on top. On Sunday, they earned invitations to play for the BCS National Championship on Jan. 8 in Miami.
As expected, the final BCS standings had Oklahoma at No. 1 and Florida at No. 2 — the reverse order of their rankings in The Associated Press poll — setting up the first meeting between these storied programs.
“Nine weeks ago our team got together and said let’s make every game count,” Gators coach Urban Meyer said, speaking of Florida’s rebound from its only loss, in September to Mississippi.
Tim Tebow and the Gators did just that. So did Oklahoma, which bounced back from a loss in October to Texas.
Florida (12-1) has averaged 49 points a game in the nine games since its only loss. Oklahoma (12-1) became the first team since 1919 to score 60-plus in five straight games.
Other teams had their chances this season, and also finished with one loss: Texas, Southern California, Alabama, Texas Tech and Penn State.
BCS Bowl Schedule
BCS National Championship Game
Florida vs. Oklahoma
Jan. 8, 7 p.m., FOX
Fiesta Bowl
Texas vs.
Ohio State
Jan. 5, 7 p.m., FOX
Sugar Bowl
Utah vs.
Alabama
Jan. 2, 7 p.m., FOX
Rose Bowl
Penn State vs. USC
Jan. 1, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Orange Bowl
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
Jan. 1, 7:30 p.m., FOX
From news services
