Miami, Florida in Control

Miami and Florida moved closer to playing the biggest game yet in their long, often bitter rivalry.

The Hurricanes and Gators settled into first and second, respectively, in the bowl championship series standings released Monday.

All indications are that if both win the rest of their games, it’s on to the national championship game in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 3.

Miami (10-0) and Florida (9-1) have met 50 times since 1938--the series is tied, 25-25--but never with the national title on the line for both teams.

Last season, Miami beat Florida, 37-20, in the Sugar Bowl, only a few days after players from each team duked it out in a Bourbon Street brawl.

With Nebraska and Oklahoma losing--the Cornhuskers were first, the Sooners third entering Thanksgiving weekend--the BCS standings underwent major changes. Texas (10-1) jumped to third place, with Nebraska (11-1) fourth. Oregon (9-1) remained fifth and Tennessee (9-1) moved up to sixth.

Miami, ranked No. 1 in the AP media poll the past seven weeks, had 2.92 points in the BCS standings. Florida had 6.95 points and Texas was next at 8.77.

“Miami and Florida are in control, it’s up to them,” said Jerry Palm, who operates a Web site that closely monitors the BCS standings. “If one falls, then Texas and Tennessee are in the best position, but it depends on who else falls and how hard.”

Palm said Nebraska, despite its 62-36 loss to Colorado, and Oregon, which plays Oregon State on Saturday, are still in the title chase, “but would need a series of upsets and then hope the computer works in their favor.”

Miami plays at Virginia Tech (8-2) Saturday, and Florida plays host to Tennessee and, with a victory, moves to the Southeastern Conference title game Dec. 8 against the winner of Saturday’s Auburn-Louisiana State game.

The final BCS standings will be released Dec. 9.