MIAMI — College football's national championship will be awarded to the winner of tonight's game between Florida and Oklahoma. But Gators coach Urban Meyer said he doesn't blame coaches at Utah and other schools who are lobbying to be recognized as champs.
Utah finished undefeated, including a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama, and coach Kyle Whittingham has threatened to vote his team No. 1 in the final poll. So has Texas coach Mack Brown, whose team lost one game this season but defeated Oklahoma. Pete Carroll, coach of one-loss Southern Cal, also is proclaiming his team the best.
"That's absolutely what they should do," Meyer said. "I've got news: I'm representing the University of Florida, I'm an employee of the University of Florida and I represent my players. Most of all, I'm going to fight like a dog to take care of them."
Under the agreement between the coaches' poll and BCS, the winner of the title game is awarded the No. 1 spot. Coaches are supposed to vote for Nos. 2-25. The Associated Press writers' poll does not have a similar agreement.
Meyer, who two years ago successfully pushed for the one-loss Gators to be in the national championship game, said coaches have an obligation to stand up for their programs.
"Lobbying, I love that term," Meyer sarcastically said. "You don't really understand the whole mechanics, investment and passion these coaches have. If a coach would go 13-1 or an (undefeated) Utah team and not fight for their players, that's not a good coach."
A KEY ELEMENT: While much of the talk leading up to the game has been about the two Heisman Trophy winners and the pressure the defenses face, special teams might have the biggest impact, both coaches said.
Meyer said the Gators most likely can't win unless they dominate the return game and control field position.
His return specialist, Brandon James, is well aware of how important that makes him.
"It's going to be a big factor just like it is every game," said James, who has 1,196 combined punt and kick return yards this season and two punt returns for touchdowns. "Our return game can make some big plays. We've just got to stick with our scheme."
NO C.I.: Meyer denied rumors that injured tight end Cornelius Ingram will play.
"I'd play C.I. if it was the right thing to do," Meyer said. "He's not going to play because he's three months out from ACL surgery, and that wouldn't be the right thing to do."
Ingram, who graduated in December, said he feels well enough to play but knows it's not worth the risk.
"I feel about 90 to 95 percent," he said. "If it was up to me, I think I could play. But I wouldn't because I haven't really had any contact, and that's the biggest thing. The contact means everything."
HOMEFIELD: Despite the prevailing notion that the game being in Miami is akin to a home game for the Gators, Orange Bowl president Danny Ponce said that's not necessarily true.
Ponce said each school received 16,000 tickets. Also, Miami Dolphins suite holders were given the option of buying tickets to both the Orange Bowl and BCS championship. Aside from those tickets, fans can get tickets from a variety of sources, including eBay.
An estimated crowd of 80,000 is expected.
"Basically, we have no way of knowing what the split is going to be until game time," Ponce said. "Obviously with the game being in the state of Florida, it's exciting for Gator fans and many are looking for ways to secure tickets.
"But from what I'm hearing, the Oklahoma fans are being resourceful finding ways to get tickets as have the Florida fans. So it'll be interesting to see. Our job is to be balanced."
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Couple names child after Tebow
CLEARWATER — He might be Tim Tebow's youngest fan. Logan Tebow Bradley was born Tuesday morning at Morton Plant Hospital. His father, Tom Bradley, is a big fan of the Gators. He told Ch. 10 he wanted to honor the quarterback and decided to give his newborn son the middle name Tebow. Plus, he said, it could be a sign of a third national championship for the team. Mom Nicole picked the first name.
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