Adams: Alabama vs. Florida in BCS title game?

Halfway through the college football season, is it too early to ask: Could the national championship game be a rematch?

Don't worry. I'm not talking about Southern California and Ohio State, who are more likely to be the warm-up act in Pasadena this January.

But if Oklahoma beats Texas on Saturday, the national championship game could be a sequel to the SEC championship game. The possibility is intriguing.

Florida and Alabama already have established themselves as the top two teams in The Associated Press Top 25. If both win today and Texas (second in the coaches poll) loses, the Gators and Tide would be Nos. 1-2 in both polls.

Staying there would be the tricky part. It's tough enough for one team to go through the SEC unbeaten.

But for the purpose of debate, let's assume the Tide and Gators can pull off the improbable.

If both teams finish the regular season unbeaten and play as closely as they did in last year's SEC championship game, how could anyone justify moving a third-place team ahead of the loser?

Alabama 27, South Carolina 10: Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia has improved his numbers this season: nine touchdown passes, three interceptions and no arrests.

But that doesn't mean he's ready for Alabama's defense, which is college football's equivalent of "hard time."

Florida 37, Arkansas 17: The Gators lead the SEC in scoring, fewest points allowed per game, total defense, rushing offense and Heisman Trophy quarterbacks. But if they don't improve their passing attack, they won't repeat as SEC or national champions.

So Florida should welcome the Razorbacks with open passing arms. They rank last in the SEC in pass defense.

Georgia 20, Vanderbilt 17: Both teams are beat up and beat down. The only difference: the Bulldogs are more capable of kicking an opponent when it's down.

Georgia has made 9-of-10 field-goal attempts and leads the SEC in punting. Vanderbilt is 7-for-11 in field goals and last in the conference in punting.

Auburn 31, Kentucky 14: Did you ever think you would hear, "How can we replace Mike Hartline?'

That's not a direct quote, but Kentucky coach Rich Brooks implied as much after losing his starting quarterback to a knee injury.

Scary fact: The Wildcats ranked 11th in the SEC in passing before Hartline was injured.

Ole Miss 37, UAB 14: The Rebels offense line can't protect junior quarterback Jevan Snead but it might prevent him from leaving early for the NFL.

Despite being projected as a high NFL draft pick, Snead is throwing more like Brent Schaeffer than Eli Manning. He has completed only 46.8 percent of his passes and thrown as many interceptions as touchdown passes.

Mississippi State 38, MTSU 20: Happiness for the Bulldogs is playing a non-ranked opponent. So don't be surprised if their captains hug their Blue Raiders' counterparts when they meet at midfield.

Mississippi State's last three opponents were ranked in the top 25. Up next is No. 1-ranked Florida.

Top 25: Texas 28, Oklahoma 27; Virginia Tech 31, Georgia Tech 20; Southern Cal 24, Notre Dame 17; Ohio State 31, Purdue 17; Miami 35, UCF 17; Iowa 24, Wisconsin 16; TCU 27, Colorado State 13; Oregon 31, Washington 24; Penn State 34, Minnesota 17; Nebraska 34, Texas Tech 31; Oklahoma State 34, Missouri 30; Kansas 41, Colorado 34; BYU 38, San Diego State 20; Houston 45, Tulane 17; Utah 42, UNLV 20.

Record: 103-27 (.792) overall, 61-50 (.549) against the spread.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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