I still can't believe how people are overrating Utah. USC vs. Fla would be a great game. I'd lean USC, but Fla prepares at least as well, if not better and is so mentally tough. Both have great athletes and team speed.
I posted this in another thread, but much of it applies here and I am too tired to rephrase and re-type:
Fla was just barely good enough to be #1 in both polls, even though USC looked far more impressive and should be the AP #1. We sure could use a split title to spur on the argument for a playoff. How great would it be to see USC vs. Fla?
Utah should in no way jump USC. They should have lost to TCU who imho was better. Yes, they beat an overrated, disappointed 'bama team who was without their best player. If you don't think that missing their monster LT #1 pick pancake blocker affected that game, then you probably missed the game where Osi had 6 sacks when Philly's LT went down. Utah would be a 10 point dog vs. USC and lose 24 -6.
'Bama was only #1 for so long because all the best teams had a loss. Fla, USC and Okla all lost tough conference games vs. teams that know them well. Ore. St. and Miss both turned out to be much better than most thought at the time. Tx lost a game they should have won (dropped int., last second miracle play) after running a sick gauntlet of games . Bama nor Utah imo are not in the same class as any of those top teams. Boise and Utah could barely crack the top 10 undefeated. Schedule matters. To even mention them in the same breath with USC is a joke. Yes, they played a good bowl game, but c'mon, are they even better than 'Ole Miss, Oregon or Ore. St.? Or Ga., Arizona, Cal? I'd even rate Penn St. and Ohio St. higher. Would Utah have looked any better vs. USC or Texas? Yes, it is a nice story, but really...#2? I was being generous saying #5. How many losses would they have with a tougher schedule. Yes, I know that they beat OSU, but that was early when a notoriously slow starting OSU had yet to develop. Bottom line is that we need a playoff.
AP
1. USC
2.Fla
3. Tx
4. Okla
5. Utah
Ga, Miss, Ore St, Ore, Az, Cal might deserve better, but it is tough to compare apples and oranges