SMQ: What if four teams got into a playoff during the BCS era?

2001

(1) Miami v. (4) Oregon

(2) Nebraska v. (3) Colorado

FIRST TEAM OUT: Florida

In 2000, Florida was nowhere near a BCS playoff spot despite winning the SEC title. In 2001, they would have been right on the cusp of the picture. The Gators were ranked No. 5 in the final BCS standings of 2001, even as they failed to win the SEC. Tennessee played LSU for the conference crown instead of the Gators, and thus they would have had an uphill climb to get into the playoff.

Instead, we would have been treated to a Big 12 rematch between Nebraska and Colorado. The Buffaloes were the Big 12 champions, having knocked off Texas 39-37 in the championship game. They also took down the Cornhuskers 62-36 to get into the conference title game. But Nebraska earned the spot in the BCS thanks to computer rankings, despite sitting fourth in both human polls.

In a playoff situation, the Huskers and the Buffaloes would have squared off against one another in a rematch. That would have left Pac-10 champion Oregon to take on Miami, the only undefeated team during the regular season. The Ducks would earn the spot in a semifinal showdown against the Hurricanes ahead of Florida.

Given the way things transpired the first time around, the Hurricanes would still be the favorite to win it all. But Joey Harrington and crew would get their chance against the top scoring defense in the country that year.