HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

Florida makes move for title

Posted 12/3/2006 2:23 PM ET

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By Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY

Everything that needed to happen on the field did so for Florida on the final weekend of the college football season. As a result, the Gators might have earned a date with Ohio State in the Bowl Championship Series title game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.

Ohio State's spot in the 1-vs.-2 BCS finale was established two weeks ago. The Buckeyes concluded a 12-0 campaign with a 42-39 triumph against archrival Michigan. Florida made its case for the second spot opposite Ohio State Saturday, beating Arkansas 38-28 in a back-and-forth Southeastern Conference championship game. They are ranked No. 2 in the USA TODAY coaches poll, just ahead of Michigan.

TOP 25: USA TODAY Coaches' Poll

Florida also was No. 2 in the latest Associated Press media poll released Sunday.

The Gators were ranked fourth in the BCS standings a week ago but got an assist Saturday from UCLA. The Bruins upset No. 2 Southern California 13-9, eliminating the Trojans from the championship debate. But Florida still needed to get past Michigan, in the clubhouse with an 11-1 record. The Wolverines held the No. 3 spot in the BCS standings and were hoping to get a rematch with the Buckeyes. The lobbying began almost immediately.

"We deserve a shot," Florida coach Urban Meyer told reporters following the game. "I have great confidence that the University of Florida will get that opportunity. I really do."

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr didn't want to campaign for his team, but he stated his case to ESPN Saturday night nevertheless. "I hope that the voters will not penalize our team because we did not play the last two weeks," he said.

Early indications Sunday appeared to bear out Meyer's confidence. Florida leapfrogged Michigan to grab the No. 2 ranking in the coaches poll, one component of the BCS standings along with the Harris Interactive poll and an aggregation of six computer formulas. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is a member of the USA TODAY panel but declined to cast a ballot.

"We are excited to play in the BCS title game against a tremendous opponent," Tressel said in a statement. "After consultation with my Director of Athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate the final poll."