Can BYU Throw It Out of WAC?

College football comes as close as it gets to a Final Four today when eight teams in three time zones meet in four games of high-stakes drama.

In Las Vegas, it’s political; in St. Louis, it’s pivotal; in Atlanta, it’s personal; in Philadelphia, it’s historical.

Riding on the outcomes are three conference titles, No. 1 Florida State’s opponent in the Sugar Bowl, the possible future of the bowl alliance and bragging rights in the armed forces.

Push comes to shove when No. 6 Brigham Young (12-1) meets No. 20 Wyoming (10-1) in the Western Athletic Conference title game; No. 3 Nebraska (10-1) faces Texas (7-4) for the Big 12 title; No. 4 Florida (10-1) plays No. 15 Alabama (9-2) for the Southeastern Conference crown and No. 24 Army (9-1) meets Navy (8-2) for the Commander in Chief’s Trophy.

Nebraska and Florida are playing to keep their national title hopes alive, but the most intriguing matchup figures to be BYU versus Wyoming at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

Conference Commissioner Karl Benson did not mince words this week when he said, “It’s the biggest game in the history of the WAC.”

The WAC, left out of the alliance, is out to prove it is worthy of competing with the big boys and sharing in those $8-million alliance bowl payouts.

Today’s game is rife with political undertones.

Brigham Young, the best the WAC has to offer, has climbed to No. 6 in this week’s Associated Press poll. But because the WAC champion does not receive an automatic alliance berth, the Cougars are left to fend for one of two at-large picks to play in either the Sugar, Orange or Fiesta bowl.

With a victory, BYU would rank higher than any of the other at-large candidates--No. 7 Colorado (9-2) or No. 9 Tennessee (9-2).

The alliance bowls, however, would not be obligated to take the 13-1 Cougars, although Benson said, “It would be an injustice if they weren’t selected.”

This week, Benson had a conference call with all 16 WAC presidents to discuss possible legal recourse should BYU get snubbed.

“I can only report that our presidents still believe that is an option for the future,” Benson said.

The game? Oh yeah, the game. BYU Coach LaVell Edwards is downplaying the political ramifications and trying to stay focused on Wyoming.

“Nothing will happen with anything unless we’re victorious this weekend,” Edwards said.

Wyoming is in an interesting spot because it would be in the WAC’s best interests for the Cowboys to lose. Did we mention the game was in Las Vegas?

The game features two of the nation’s premier quarterbacks. Wyoming’s Josh Wallwork leads the country in total offense, and BYU’s Steve Sarkisian leads in pass efficiency. The variable is BYU’s ground attack, which rushed for 366 yards in the Cougars’ Nov. 23 win over Utah.

A quick look at the other games:

BIG 12

Nebraska vs. Texas, Trans World Dome, St. Louis:

The Cornhuskers can earn a trip to the Sugar Bowl with the Big 12 championship victory and remain alive in their quest for an unprecedented third consecutive national title. A Texas victory would muddle the bowl-alliance picture and make Longhorn quarterback James Brown football’s greatest prophet since Joe Namath. Brown boldly predicted this week Texas would win by three touchdowns. We’ll see. Since a Sept. 21 loss to Arizona State, Nebraska has outscored nine opponents, 430-83. The Cornhuskers are not at full strength, though. Starting tailback Ahman Green is questionable because of a foot injury, and backups Damon Benning and DeAngelo Evans both have nagging injuries.

The defense is weaker without linebacker Terrell Farley, who has been suspended after a second drunk-driving charge. Safety Mike Minter has been moved to Farley’s linebacker spot.

Texas, 3-4 at one point, has won four consecutive games, including last week’s impressive 51-15 victory over Texas A&M.; “I don’t think we’re playing the same team that had some of the troubles they had early in the year,” Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne said.

SOUTHEAST

Florida vs. Alabama, Georgia Dome, Atlanta:

Florida thought it blew its national title hopes with last week’s loss to Florida State, but maybe not. A victory today coupled with a Nebraska loss would probably give the Gators a rematch with the No. 1 Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl. Gator Coach Steve Spurrier has always considered the SEC title the most important goal, much more important than that national title thing.

Tonight, Spurrier seeks his fourth consecutive SEC title. Only Alabama, which won five consecutive SEC crowns from 1971 to ’75 under Bear Bryant, has won more in succession.

Alabama has plenty of incentive too. A victory would put the Crimson Tide in an alliance bowl, probably the Orange. The Crimson Tide’s sixth-ranked defense will try to overrun a Florida offensive line that may be without three starters--Jeff Mitchell, Zach Piller and Mo Collins.

AT YOUR SERVICE

Army vs. Navy, Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia:

This will mark the first time both academy schools have entered the game with winning records since 1963. The winner takes the coveted Commander in Chief’s Trophy and a bid to the Independence Bowl. Army leads the nation in rushing, averaging 347.2 yards per game. Navy is fifth at 296.7 yards.

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Today’s Matchups

WAC CHAMPIONSHIP At Las Vegas

* Brigham Young (12-1) vs. Wyoming (10-1)

1:30 p.m., Channel 7

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP At St. Louis

* Nebraska (10-1) vs. Texas (7-4)

10 a.m., Channel 7

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP At Atlanta

* Florida (10-1) vs. Alabama (9-2)

5 p.m., Channel 7

THE WAR At Philadelphia

* Army (9-1) vs. Navy (8-2)

9 a.m., Channel 2