The Florida Gators Path to the 2010 BCS Title
Weak SEC East Division Could Help Gators in One-Loss Scenario
Oct 10, 2009
All eyes will be on the SEC and NCAA game of the year on Saturday October 10th when the top-ranked Florida Gators take the field in "Death Valley" against their rivals, the fourth-ranked LSU Tigers.
The game itself has 2010 BCS National Championship implications as the winner of this premiere SEC game has won the past three BCS National Titles. However, many believe that without 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow, the Gators don't stand a chance against this strong LSU team.
A loss in such a big game would send Florida tumbling down the AP 25, and LSU, Alabama and Texas all fighting for the vacant top slot.
One would think such a loss would push the Gators right out of the BCS Title picture.
The SEC is full of hungry football teams looking to crack into the spotlight with the Alabama Crimson Tide rolling over the opposition, LSU getting back to business after a dismal 2008 season, and an Auburn squad who have been the dark horse of the conference.
So with all these SEC powerhouses waiting in the wings, it looks like the Florida Gators could be left to watch conference rivals take over, right?
Wrong. This actually helps Florida's chances at making it back to the National Championship regardless if they're a one loss team.
Alabama, LSU and Auburn all reside in the SEC West division and only one team from that division will make it to the SEC Championship game to face the top team in the SEC East.
Florida, even if they lose to LSU, would still be sitting atop the SEC East division and in line to play for the SEC Championship game in Georgia against the top team in the SEC west, whoever it may be.
SEC West Division After Florida vs. LSU
After the colossal meeting against Florida, the LSU Tigers would go on to face Auburn at home on October 24th, and then Alabama in Tuscaloosa on November 7th, and Alabama heads to Auburn on November 27th to conclude the season for both teams.
Regardless of what happens in the Florida/LSU game, we could see a rematch of this game in December, or maybe, a rematch of the 2008 SEC Championship game with Alabama facing Florida.
Who knows, maybe Florida won't be there, but that's unlikely given their schedule.
Florida Gators Schedule Post-LSU Game
Consider this scenario. Florida loses to LSU and still has half of a season to play without giving up another loss. Tough? Probably not.
Florida plays only two more road games and has the rest of their schedule at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium-- one of the toughest places for a visiting team to play in college football.
Oct. 17 vs. Arkansas
Oct. 24 at. Mississippi State
Oct. 31 vs. Georgia
Nov. 7 vs. Vanderbilt
Nov. 14 at. South Carolina
Nov. 21 vs. FIU
Nov. 28 vs. Florida State
The one loss scenario would give the Gators the motivation (as it did last year) to run the table the rest of the way and keep SEC East opponents away from their spot to play on December 5th at the Georgia Dome.
If Florida does NOT lose their game against LSU, then the Gators have the best chance at an undefeated season given their slightly favorable schedule.
The 2009 SEC Championship Game Scenario
Sticking with the one-loss scenario, if Florida enters their November schedule 7-1, then they might be able to throw it on cruise control the rest of the way and be in pretty good shape to claim the SEC East and head to the SEC Championship.
In the SEC West, Florida hopes Alabama, LSU and Auburn really put the boots to one another, and whoever emerges as the winner of that division would come limping in to the Georgia Dome.
If it's LSU, then the Gators (still staying in the one-loss scenario) would get a chance at avenging the loss, and a win on December 5th would more than likely push Florida back into the National Championship picture.
