Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick is one of six players named to both the Outland and Nagurski Preseason Watch Lists for the upcoming season.

The Outland Trophy goes to the nation's best interior lineman, while the Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player.

Crick, who was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season, is joined by DTs Sam Acho, Texas; Marvin Austin, North Carolina; Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson; Stephen Paea, Oregon State and Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss.

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who missed all of 2009 battling overcoming Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, also made the Nagurski Watch List. The former All-American looks to return to the field for his senior season.

North Carolina placed four players on the Nagurski list, including Austin, LBs Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant and DE Robert Quinn. Alabama has three players -- S Mark Barron, DE Marcell Dareus and LB Dont'a Hightower.

Ohio State and Oklahoma placed three players on the Outland list, the most of any school. Guards Justin Boren, Bryant Browning and center Mike Brewster represent Ohio State, while Oklahoma placed offensive tackled Cory Brandon, center Ben Habern and DT Adrian Taylor on the list.

The Nagurski Trophy will be on Dec. 6, while the Outland Trophy will be announced Dec. 9.

Nagurski Watch List

Sam Acho, Texas, DT; Prince Amukamara, Nebraska, CB; Marvin Austin, North Carolina, DT; Akeem Ayers, UCLA, LB; Allen Bailey, Miami, DE; Mark Barron, Alabama, S; Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma, DE; Nick Bellore, Central Michigan, LB; Chris Borland, Wisconsin, LB; Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson, DE; Curtis Brown, Texas, CB; Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State, LB; Tank Carder, TCU, LB; Bruce Carter, North Carolina, LB; Adrian Clayborn, Iowa, DE; Jared Crick, Nebraska, DT; Marcell Dareus, Alabama, DE; Ras-I Dowling, Virginia, CB; Brian Duncan, Texas Tech, LB; Chris Galippo, USC, LB; Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, CB; Brandon Harris, Miami, CB; Mario Harvey, Marshall, LB; Mark Herzlich, Boston College, LB; Cameron Heyward, Ohio State, DE; Dont'a Hightower, Alabama, LB; Ross Homan, Ohio State, LB; Justin Houston, Georgia, LB; Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson, DT; Janoris Jenkins, Florida, CB; Tejay Johnson, TCU, S; Greg Jones, Michigan State, LB; Aaron Williams, Texas, CB; Thomas Keiser, Stanford, LB; Noah Keller, Ohio, LB; Shiloh Keo, Idaho, S; Ryan Winterswyk, Boise State, DE; Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue, DE; Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB; Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, S; Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, LB; Chris Marve, Vanderbilt, LB; Cliff Matthews, South Carolina, DE; DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson, S; Marcus McGraw, Houston, LB; Josh McNary, Army, DE; Carmen Messina, New Mexico, LB; Von Miller, Texas A&M, LB; Bruce Miller, UCF, DE; Dontay Moch, Nevada, DE; Mike Mohamed, California, LB; Rahim Moore, UCLA, S; Stephen Paea, Oregon State, DT; Patrick Peterson, LSU, CB; Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss, DT; Robert Quinn, North Carolina, DE; Adrian Robinson, Temple, DE; Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh, DE; Kenny Rowe, Oregon, DE; Robert Sands, West Virginia, S; Tyler Sash, Iowa, S; J.K. Schaffer, Cincinnati, LB; Kelvin Sheppard, LSU, LB; Aldon Smith, Missouri, DE; Craig Stevens, Auburn, LB; Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina, LB; Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, LB; J.T. Thomas, West Virginia, LB; Trevin Wade, Arizona, CB; J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, DE; Korey Williams, Southern Miss, LB; Lawrence Wilson, Connecticut, LB; Anthony Wright, Air Force, CB; Alex Wujciak, Maryland, LB.

Outland Trophy Watch List

Sam Acho, Texas, DT; Marvin Austin, North Carolina, DT; Tim Barnes, Missouri, C; Colin Baxter, Arizona, C; Sean Bedford, Georgia Tech, C; Chase Beeler, Stanford, C; Clint Boling, Georgia, T; Justin Boren, Ohio State, G; Cory Brandon, Oklahoma, T; Mike Brewster, Ohio State, C; Bryant Browning, Ohio State, G; Marcus Cannon, TCU, T; Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin, T; James Carpenter, Alabama, T; Jurrell Casey, USC, DT; Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, T; Thomas Claiborne, Boston College, G; Jared Crick, Nebraska, DT; Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech, T; Art Forst, Rutgers, G; Marcus Forston, Miami, DT; Orlando Franklin, Miami, T; Anthony Gray, Southern Miss, DT; Lawrence Guy, Arizona State, DT; Ben Habern, Oklahoma, C; Kyle Hix, Texas, T; Rodney Hudson, Florida State, G; Omar Hunter, Florida, DT; Rod Huntley, UTEP, G; Zach Hurd, Connecticut, G; Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova, T; Andrew Jackson, Fresno State, G; Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson, DT; Carl Johnson, Florida, G; Barrett Jones, Alabama, G; Ben Jones, Georgia, C; Jake Kirkpatrick, TCU, C; Karl Klug, Iowa, DT; Ben Lamaak, Iowa State, C; DeMarcus Love, Arkansas, T; Ryan McMahon, Florida State, C; Ryan Miller, Colorado, G; Drake Nevis, LSU, DT; Kristofer O'Dowd, USC, C; Josh Oglesby, Wisconsin, T; Stephen Paea, Oregon State, DT; Alan Pelc, North Carolina, G; Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh, T; Ken Plue, Purdue, G; Nate Potter, Boise State, G; Mike Pouncey, Florida, C; Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss, DT; Matt Reynolds, BYU, T; Trevor Robinson, Notre Dame, T; Stephen Schilling, Michigan, G; Caleb Schlauderaff, Utah, G; Nate Solder, Colorado, T; Adrian Taylor, Oklahoma, DT; Zane Taylor, Utah, C; Bo Thran, Oregon, T; Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple, DT
Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State, G; Lee Ziemba, Auburn, T.

Sure the games are tentative and we are months from the start of the season, but that won't stop me from breaking down week-by-week of what to watch for in the SEC.

Sept. 4: Opening weekend of the season. If you want to get excited about Alabama playing San Jose State or Florida vs. Miami (Ohio), go ahead, but I'll be watching LSU vs. North Carolina in the Kickoff Classic in Atlanta. LSU's offense was horrendous last season, while North Carolina's defense was one of the best. So with Jordan Jefferson having a full season under his belt at quarterback, things have to get better for the Tigers, right? North Carolina is one of my teams to watch as it returns a ton of starters and will ranked in the preseason Top 20.

Sept. 11: Two huge out-of-conference matchups highlight this huge day in sports. Not only do we have Michigan at Notre Dame, Stanford at UCLA, Florida State at Oklahoma, Miami at Ohio State, but three key games involving SEC schools. No. 1 -- Oregon at Tennessee: Pac-10 vs. SEC matchups don't happen very often. Can Oregon put offseason issues behind them or will Derek Dooley earn his first big win as coach? No. 2 -- South Florida at Florida: Last year when USF beat Florida State they put up billboards claiming it is now part of the Big Four. Is this the year USF shocks the Gators in The Swamp? John Brantley's first real test. No. 3: The biggest of them all -- Penn State at Alabama: These two teams have had some epic history. The 1979 Sugar Bowl and 1989 blocked field goal game come to mind. The teams haven't played since 1990, so expect this to be one of the biggest games of the year.

Sept. 18: Florida at Tennessee. Urban Meyer vs. Lane Kiff ... Oh what could have been a great rivalry between the two coaches. Either way this one is always huge. Both schools and fans don't like each other very much no matter who is coaching. Two other games to watch ... Arkansas at Georgia. Last year's game was won by Georgia 52-41. Ryan Mallett's first really big game of the season to see how legit the Razorbacks will be this year. Clemson at Auburn: For two schools only four hours apart this will be the first time they meet in the regular season since 1971. ACC vs. SEC is always fun.

Sept. 25: West Virginia at LSU. It's hard to believe, but these two schools have never played each other. By this point, we'll know how good LSU is and if it can be a real contender in the SEC. This will be the Mountaineers real first game. Gotta love those LSU night games with the hostile crowd welcoming in the opponents. Make sure you are in front of the TV for this one. Alabama at Arkansas: If the Razorbacks get past Georgia, this one will be their biggest game of the season, especially since they get the defending champions at home.

Oct. 2: Florida at Alabama: Seven of the last 11 times these teams have met was in the SEC Championship game, but the two haven't played in Tuscaloosa since 2005. Could be a conference title game preview. If both teams are ranked in the Top 10, this might end up as one of the games of the year in college football. Tennessee at LSU: Another classic east vs. west division matchup. The last three games have been classic -- Tennessee 30-27 (2005); LSU 28-24 (2006) and LSU 21-14 (2007). At this point, we'll know if either team has a chance to win the SEC.

Oct. 9: LSU at Florida: Another huge West vs. East division game. LSU has lost three of the last four in the series, including last year's 13-3 game in Baton Rouge. This is a tougher task for the Tigers as they go to Gainesville, but expect this game to be another classic matchup.

Oct. 16: Mississippi State at Florida: With the Bulldogs on the up swing and only losing 29-19 last year, this could be the year Mississippi State gives the Gators a real run for its money ... or it could be a 42-10 blowout by the Gators.

Oct. 23: Alabama at Tennessee: Remember last year's 12-10 win by Alabama that featured two blocked field goals? Get ready for another defensive battle, this time the Vols get the defending champs at home. Georgia at Kentucky: The Wildcats shocked Georgia 34-27 in Athens last year, so this game has a little more meaning than a usual SEC matchup. Georgia would love a little payback, while Kentucky looks to cap a three-game home stretch (Auburn on the Oct. 9 and South Carolina on Oct. 16).

Oct. 30: Florida vs. Georgia. It doesn't matter what the records are or who is playing at quarterback, get to Jacksonville to experience The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.

Nov. 6: Alabama at LSU: At this point of the season, we'll know who is challenging Alabama in the West. Arkansas? Auburn? Or LSU? If it's LSU, get ready for an epic SEC game.

Nov. 13: Georgia at Auburn: Auburn's final home game of the season before it takes on Alabama. While this is Georgia's last road game before it gets Georgia Tech at home the final week. Georgia has won four in a row in the series, including 31-24 at Athens last year.

Nov. 20: South Carolina at Troy: Troy loves taking on SEC teams, but usually is on the losing end. But this time, the Trojans get South Carolina at home and just might be able to pull off the upset. Also if South Carolina loses this one and is sitting at 6-5, get ready for the "Fire Steve Spurrier" chants.

Nov. 26: Auburn at Alabama: The annual Iron Bowl is always one of the best traditions in college football. No explanation needed.

Don't tell the people in Tuscaloosa that Signing Day doesn't matter.

Alabama is broadcasting a live video of ... the FAX machine (thanks to CBS College Sports XXL).

The video has me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to hear that annoying sound when a FAX comes in.

Who could it be? A new linebacker? The next great running back?

Damn, it's just an advertisement for a 1.5 percent mortgage over 30 years.


Update (11:20 p.m. ET): They took the FAX cam down! Maybe he was tired and needed a nap. We'll keep an eye on this throughout the day to see if Mr. FAX gets back in front of the camera. I miss him already.

Update (8:40 p.m. ET): I checked back throughout the entire day and Alabama never put the video back up. But we are trying hard to get some archived video of it. I know the users are just dying to see what a FAX machine looks like in the Alabama athletic department.

It's a little early, but time to give my preseason Top 10 for 2010. Lots of things can change, but here is what I got for now:

1. Alabama: The team will lose some starters on defense, including Terrence Cody, Rolando McClain and Javier Arenas, but there is still a ton of talent on that side of the ball. And look at all the starters back on offense. QB Greg McElroy, RB Mark Ingram, RB Trent Richardson and WR Julio Jones. The schedule works nicely in Alabama's favor too with home games against Penn State, Florida and Auburn. Three landmines which could prevent it from repeating -- at Arkansas (Sept. 25), at Tennessee (Oct. 23) and at LSU (Nov. 6).

2. Ohio State: If the Buckeyes can play like they did in the Rose Bowl, they will find themselves in the BCS championship game next year. Ten starters are back on offense, including Terrelle Pryor, the entire backfield and both wide receivers. Five starters back on the offensive line will be huge too. Ohio State gets Miami (Fla.) at home on Sept. 18 which will be the early test. The season likely comes down to the final three games of the season -- Penn State (Nov. 13), at Iowa (Nov. 20) and Michigan (Nov. 27)

3. Boise State: This is all you have to know about Boise being ranked this high: 21 of 22 starters from a team that went 14-0. Kellen Moore will be entering his junior season after one of the best seasons in college football -- 39 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The defense was great last season and only loses cornerback Kyle Wilson. Assuming Boise goes undefeated in conference play for the third consecutive season, there are two big games on the schedule -- at home against Oregon State and Virginia Tech in Maryland on Oct. 2. Could this be the year the Broncos get into the title game?

4. Oregon: Another team that will be loaded with returners, including all 11 on offense. The Ducks offense was very explosive last year and should be again with the return of QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB LaMichael James. Keep an eye on the defense with the return of all three linebackers. The biggest holes to fill will be on the defensive line and replacing cornerback Walter Thurmond. The Ducks get a quick test playing at Tennessee on Sept. 11. The Pac-10 schedule will be tough again, especially with road games at USC (Sept. 30), at California (Nov. 13) and at Oregon State (Nov. 27).

5. Iowa: The Hawkeyes showed in the Orange Bowl what a difference Ricky Stanzi makes at quarterback. With him back along with running backs Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher and wide receivers Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt, Iowa will challenge Ohio State for the Big Ten title. The defense will again be one of the best in the country, especially in the secondary with Tyler Sash coming back. The schedule works perfectly for Iowa in its run to the a perfect season, getting Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State all at home.

6. Nebraska: Yes, Ndamukong Suh will be gone, but he wasn't a one-man team. One of the best defenses in the nation last year will be strong again with the return of DE Pierre Allen and DT Jared Crick. The key will be on offense if QB Zac Lee and RB Roy Helu can keep the ball moving. With the return of four offensive lineman, the Cornhuskers should be in great shape to challenge for the Big 12 Championship. Biggest game of the season will be Oct. 16 vs. Texas.

7. TCU: The Horned Frogs should be strong again with a team that returns a ton of players. It won't be easy to find a replacement for DE Jerry Hughes. With Andy Dalton back for one more season at quarterback and the return of WR Jimmy Young, the team should still be in great shape for another run at a BCS bowl. Obviously the conference has gotten better and a big game at Utah looms. So far TCU has only two non-conference opponents in Baylor and SMU, but it still has to find two more games.

8. Texas: The Longhorns won't be as good as they were this year. Too many key players will be gone, but Texas still has a nice group of returners back and should find itself in the Top 10. QB Garrett Gilbert got something to build on for next year with his appearance in the title game against Alabama. All the running backs return and a good core of wide receivers are back too. Earl Thomas is gone at safety, but Blake Gideon returns. The hardest part to replace will be the defensive line with the loss of Sergio Kindle. Oct. 2 vs. Oklahoma and Oct. 16 at Nebraska will be the season.

9. (tie) Virginia Tech: The defense lost some key players during the offseason, including Kam Chancellor and Jason Worilds, but the Hokies always just plug in newcomers and never miss a beat. The good news for Virginia Tech will be the return of sophomore running back Ryan Williams and junior Darren Evans, along with QB Tyrod Taylor. With those three back, the Hokies should be able to run all over opposing defenses. The Boise State game looms on Oct. 2 before huge road games at North Carolina and at Miami (Fla.)

9. (tie) Miami, Fla.: The offense is there for the Hurricanes to make a serious run at the ACC title. QB Jacory Harris returns with wide receivers LaRon Byrd and Leonard Hankerson. A big question mark will be at running back, where Craig Cooper might miss the entire season due to a knee injury. The defense must get better at the linebacker position, but the secondary returns four strong players, including Brandon Harris at corner. Two huge out of conferences games will test Miami early -- at Ohio State (Sept. 11) and at Pittsburgh (Sept. 25).

9. (tie) North Carolina: Don't laugh, here is a team that returns nine starters on a great defense and 10 starters on offense. Defensive lineman Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin will anchor the front seven with linebacker Quan Sturdivant controlling the middle of the field. The offense must get better, so with T.J. Yates and WR Greg Little back for one more season ... this is their chance. The Tar Heels play LSU in Atlanta during the opening weekend (Sept. 4), so we'll see how good this team is.

The rest of the Top 25 (alphabetical order): Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Penn State, Rutgers, Utah, USC, Wisconsin, West Virginia

While the nation awaits for some of the biggest names -- Manti Te'o, Ruben Randle, Marlon Brown -- to decide where they will play college, there are still a handful of lower-ranked Top 100 players that are undecided.

Frankie Telfort, who is ranked No. 61 on Maxpreps.com/Tom Lemming's Top 100, is expected to make his decision between Florida and USC tomorrow. But according to the Miami Herald, academic power Stanford is still in the mix.

During his visit, Telfort, who is interested in medicine, got to see an open-heart surgery.

"I was a about a foot away" said Telfort to the Miami Herald. "It was crazy. It was the biggest highlight of any of my recruiting visits. I thought, 'There's not a lot they wouldn't do for their students.'"

One of the top receivers still on the board is, Kendall Kelly (No. 96 overall), is deciding between Alabama, LSU and Clemson. According to Tuscaloosanews.com, Kelly might choose to go out of state and join high school teammate Darrell Smith, who was offered a scholarship by Clemson.

The NewsStar.com, also reported that Clemson is ahead of LSU and Alabama for Kelly.

Another linebacker, Anthony Patrick (ranked No. 70) from Stevenson, Alabama will make a decision between Alabama, USC, Auburn and Tennessee.

As we get closer to National Signing Day on Feb. 4, most of the big names have already decided where they are going. But there are still a handful of 5-star recruits who have yet to make a decision.

One of the biggest ones, according to Maxpreps.com and Tom Lemming is D'Andre Kirkpatrick, from Gadsden, Alabama. The 6-foot-4, 185 defensive back is ranked 12th overall by Lemming.

He already visited Alabama, Florida and most recently Texas. According to GoUpstate.com, he is considering a visit to Clemson this weekend. According to GoVolstra, he canceled a planned trip to LSU.

Some other big names ...

Jelani Jenkins, a 6-2, 220-pound linebacker from Olney, Maryland, is one of the most sought-after recruits. He most recently visited Penn State. According to the online newspaper Gazette.net, the Nittany Lions could be the frontrunner, especially since Jenkins' high school teammate Mike Wallace decided to sign there. In a story in the USA Today, Jenkins' dad said "It's down to Florida, Penn State, Notre Dame, Stanford and Southern Cal."

Jarvis Jones, a 6-3, 215-pound linebacker from Columbus, Georgia, still hasn't made up his mind. Along with the Bulldogs and Gators, he is also still considering LSU, Texas and USC. According to the Shreveport Times, Jones will head to Baton Rouge for a visit this weekend.

Edison High School in Fresno, California had three players named to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and two have already found homes to play college ball.

Safety T.J. McDonald committed to USC, cornerback Cliff Harris gave a verbal to attend Oregon, but wide receiver Rolando Jefferson hasn't made a decision yet. Jefferson has visited Arizona, Oregon, Utah and Fresno State, but Georgia Tech is also in the mix.

While many of the players from Oklahoma and Florida were preparing for their matchup to decide who will be crowned BCS Champion, they couldn't help but take notice of what Utah did against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last night.

Utah, which is the only undefeated team in the nation, knocked off the SEC runner-up 31-17, a wider margin than what the Gators did in the SEC Championship (31-20).

So does Utah deserve a share of the national championship?

"When they play big teams every week, maybe we can talk," said Florida safety Ahmad Black. "Not to take anything away from them, but their strength of schedule isn't up to par."

Despite beating four Top 25 teams throughout the season, including Oregon State, which was the only team to beat USC, the Utes SOS is ranked No. 57 according to CBSSports.com, while the Gators' is ranked No. 3. Oklahoma's is No. 1.

"Utah played their butt off and very hard against a great Alabama team. They were the better team that night," said Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham. "I know they are undefeated and that's great, but we have to just roll with it."

How about one more game? Utah vs. the winner of Oklahoma vs. Florida.

"I don't mind a playoff," added Gresham. "I prefer it to this system. The problem is the teams that win now, they think they are the best. If we go to a playoff we can see. I think that would be right."

Stoops and Broncos

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops' name has come up as the NFL's Denver Broncos seach for a new coach, but that's news to Stoops.

"What situation? That's a rumor that I have not heard and no one has contacted me about that so I don't know anything about it," said Stoops. "We're preparing for a national championship and that's all my focus and all my concentration's on so obviously I'm not a candidate."

It's not the first time Stoops' name has come up for a NFL coaching job. The coach with a 109-23 overall record in ten seasons as Oklahoma, including 32-12 vs. ranked opponents, had his name come up for the Dallas Cowboys job in 2007 and the Kansas City Chiefs job in 2006.

Murray = Bush

Oklahoma will be without do-it-all sophomore DeMarco Murray, who is out after having surgery to repair a hamstring injury.

Murray finished the season with 1,002 yards rushing, while also averaging 27.6 yards on kick returns and scoring 18 total touchdowns. Chris Brown, who leads the team with 1,110 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns, gave Murray quite the compliment during Saturday's press conference.

"Whenever you look at us, DeMarco is like a Reggie Bush-type of runner, and I'll be the LenDale White," said Brown. "He can catch out the backfield like Bush and turn something small into a huge play. I'm more conservative and wait for things to develop."

Tickets, please

While Oklahoma has no players from South Florida (Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties), the Gators have plenty.

Florida has 17 players from the tri-county area, including safety Major White (Miramar/St. Thomas Aquinas), who was an honorable mention All-American.

"As soon as the game was over against Alabama, I got calls from people saying 'Can you get me this? Can you get me that?' I only get six tickets so I was only thinking about that."

 

Alabama and Florida are about to make history.

The top two teams in this week CBSSports.com 120 are also ranked No. 1 and No. 4 in the BCS, marking the first time in BCS history that two teams ranked in the Top 5 will meet in a Conference Championship Game.

Before the emails coming flying in about Ohio State vs. Michigan, stress the words -- "Conference Championship Game."

Yes, No. 1 Ohio State took on No. 2 Michigan in the final game of their regular season in 2006, but it wasn't a conference title game because the Big Ten doesn't have one.

Even last year's crazy season had an SEC title game between No. 7 LSU and No. 14 Tennessee, while the Big 12 game featured No. 1 Missouri and No. 9 Oklahoma.

Another game between top five teams in the last week of the regular season was between No. 3 Nebraska and No. 4 Colorado. The Buffaloes smashed the Huskers 62-36 and advanced to the Big 12 title game against Texas, which was ranked No. 7 in the BCS. No worries for Nebraska, though, because it still found itself in the national title game that year.

But back to this season ... Alabama is one of only four undefeated teams remaining and if it takes care of business against the Gators on Saturday in the SEC Championship (CBS, 4 p.m. ET), the Crimson Tide will be playing for the national title for the first time since winning it all in 1992. Meanwhile Florida, which is a 10-point favorite against the No. 1 ranked team in the country, will find itself in the title game if it beats the Crimson Tide.

This is about as big as it gets for two teams from the same conference.

Florida's No. 3 ranked scoring offense with 46.3 points per game vs. Alabama's No. 3 ranked scoring defense, allowing 11.5 points per game. The big difference might be that Florida's defense is ranked No. 4 (12.3 ppg), while Alabama's offense ranks 28th in the nation (32.1 ppg).

"The challenge of playing an opponent like the Florida Gators is, you know, something special for our players," said Alabama coach Nick Saban. "They certainly have an outstanding team, and Coach Meyer has done a fantastic job of putting together a bunch of outstanding athletes who play well together, and are very well coached, and execute as well as anybody in the country. Relative to their scoring offense, balance on offense, Tim Tebow's ability to execute in the way they have. They all contribute in a positive way to playing the roles, to make it difficult to defend them. Their defense is one of the top defensive teams in the nation. They've got some outstanding players, good athletes in all positions. "

The will also mark the fifth time a team from the SEC is playing in the BCS national title game since 1999, where the conference owns an undefeated record (Tennessee in 1999, LSU in 2003, Florida in 2007 and LSU in 2008).

As for the other conference title games (ranking is according to the CBSSports.com 120):

ACC: Boston College (No. 16) vs. Virginia Tech (No. 26), Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC -- Pretty simple the winner goes to the Orange Bowl to likely play Big East champion Cincinnati, while the loser will probably be headed to the Champs Sports Bowl to play Wisconsin/Northwestern/Minnesota. Boston College won earlier in the year 28-23.

Big 12: Oklahoma (No. 3) vs. Missouri (No. 21), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC -- Now that Oklahoma is ahead of Texas in the BCS all it has to do is beat Missouri to play for the BCS national title. If the Sooners lose, Missouri goes to the Fiesta Bowl, Texas gets into the national title game and Oklahoma falls to the Cotton or Holiday Bowl. If Missouri loses, they will most likely be headed to the Alamo Bowl vs. a Big Ten team.

C-USA: Tulsa (No. 27) vs. East Carolina (No. 56), Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN2 -- Winner gets to play in the Liberty Bowl vs. an SEC squad, which will likely be Vanderbilt. If Tulsa loses it will probably end up in the Texas or Houston Bowl. Meanwhile if East Carolina loses, it will likely be headed to the GMAC Bowl against a MAC team. The two teams did not play this year.

MAC: Ball State (No. 12) vs. Buffalo (No. 52), Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN -- Both teams are headed to the a bowl, but the winner gets to play in the Motor City Bowl. There is talk of Ball State going to the Humanitarian Bowl to play Boise State, but there is also talk of Boise State going to play in the Poinsettia Bowl vs. BYU or TCU. If Buffalo wins, throw all that other talk out the window. The two teams did not play this year.

Also of note, even though its not a conference title game -- Arkansas State (No. 80) meets Troy (No. 70). If Troy wins, it will win the conference. If Arkansas State wins and Louisiana-Lafayette beats Middle Tennessee, it would create a three-way tie at 5-2 in Sun Belt play. Only Arkansas State and Troy would be considered because NCAA rules state a 7-5 team, must be picked over a 6-6 teams (La.-Lafayette). So based on head-to-head, the winner of the game would go to the New Orleans Bowl.