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 Friday, December 13, 2002
A split vote would be good for college football
By Jack Arute
Special to BCSfootball.com
Comment to Jack Arute.
A recent appearance by Tony Barnhardt of the Atlanta Journal Constitution on my ESPN radio program started me thinking.
Barnhardt is one of the balloters for the Associated Press writer's college football poll. Each week, he and many of his peers in the media phone in their ranking (1 to 25) of the nation's top college football teams. For the last third of the regular season, Tony and his AP brigade have ranked the Miami Hurricanes ahead of the Florida State Seminoles. Their posting of the Oklahoma Sooners mirrors the lofty spot occupied by the guys from Norman in the BCS. Their spotting Miami as No. 2 also duplicates the decision of the college coaches who vote in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll.
|  | | Dan Morgan and the 'Canes knocked off Florida State in October and could split the championship next month with the Seminoles. |
However, unlike the Coaches poll, Barnhardt's AP pollsters are not obligated to anoint the winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl as national champion. In the two-year history of the BCS National Championship, there has never been a split decision. Tennessee was a unanimous choice after the 1999 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and FSU had the same honor after winning the Nokia Sugar Bowl last January.
But, according to Barnhardt, there is a distinct possibility that the streak might end this year.
FSU has been installed as at least an 11-point favorite in the Jan. 3 game with Oklahoma. Should the Seminoles end the Sooners' unbeaten streak, then the outcome of the night's previous game -- the Nokia Sugar Bowl -- will come under scrutiny.
With the same deliberation that Florida canvassing boards have given to the state's presidential recount, a convincing win by the Hurricanes over the Florida Gators might sway the AP writers poll to name them national champions.
What sort of margin of Sugar Bowl victory will Miami need to make this scenario possible? Barnhardt thinks it will take at least a score that matches FSU's win back in November, when the Seminoles dismantled the Gators 30-7.
A close game means the Orange Bowl winner most likely will receive national championship honors. But a woodshed Hurricane win will make things too close to call.
Some might think a split national championship would be bad for the BCS. In fact, it would have the opposite effect -- silencing critics that point to the fact that Miami is not playing for the Sears Trophy on Jan. 3.
The AP poll could be this season's source of checks and balances. A designation of Miami as its national champion would be good for college football. It would ensure that the process reflects the full electorate. The will of the people will be heard and without judicial review. After all, we are talking about the state of Florida.
Barnhardt says that if the right scenario unfolds on Jan. 2-3, he would cast his first place vote for Miami -- not to penalize FSU, but rather to reward Miami for its successful season.
"Can you imagine what it will be like in Miami on the morning of Jan. 3 if the Hurricanes sweep the Nokia Sugar Bowl?" Barnhardt said. "Media types will be jacked up, fans will be primed and an incredible amount of increased attention will fall on that night's FedEx Orange Bowl."
One thing is certain. We will know the outcome of college football's national championship on Jan. 4 and a recount will not be necessary.
Jack Arute writes a column every Monday for BCSfootball.com.
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Josh Heupel does it on his own with this 7-yard touchdown run.
Josh Heupel talks with ABC Sports' Lynn Swann after the Sooners' championship victory.