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 Friday, December 13, 2002
Miami and Nebraska continue their march
By Jack Arute
Special to ABC Sports Online
There is no debate that Nebraska and Miami are 1 and 2. Miami redeemed itself with its convincing win over Syracuse.
The way they walked over the Orangemen, the Hurricanes showed championship-caliber heart, and made believers out of me. Now Nebraska must do the same thing on Friday against Colorado in Boulder (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). The last five games have been decided by a total of 15 points.
|  | | Bobby Pesavento and the Buffaloes hope to end their 10-game winless streak against the Huskers. |
Gary Barnett and the Buffaloes had this date circled on their calendar long before breaking into the BCS top 15. Should Colorado win, it would punch the Buffs a ticket to the Big 12 Championship game at Texas Stadium in Irving, while Nebraska's 11 straight victories to start the year would go for naught.
The bye week has certainly helped some of the Huskers' key personnel to heal. Tight end Tracey Wistrom and fullback Judd Davies are both ready to go.
Elsewhere, as the top conferences crown their champions, the BCS bowl picture becomes a little clearer. Or does it?
In many respects, everyone must wait to see what the eventual 1 vs. 2 matchup will be. Depending on which conferences go to Pasadena, some changes may take place in the other bowl scenarios.
A Pac-10/Big Ten mini-Rose Bowl at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl is likely with Oregon facing Michigan should the Wolverines be successful in defeating their archrival Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.
Maryland's FedEx Orange Bowl opponent remains clouded. Tennessee stands to receive a coveted at-large BCS berth, but the Volunteers' appearance may be affected by Florida's numerous Nokia Sugar bowl appearances (five since 1991). If Florida takes the SEC title, it is very possible that the Sugar and Orange will trade SEC teams, putting the Gators in South Florida and sending the Volunteers to New Orleans.
It looks as if the other Nokia Sugar Bowl team will likely be Texas, but don't tell that to Big Ten fans. There will be a great deal of individual conference lobbying and Illinois will certainly get due consideration.
Then again, all these scenarios go to the football recycle bin if Nebraska and/or Miami stumble down the stretch. It's quarterfinals time in the BCS and it's as close to a playoff fervor as you can get.
Jack Arute writes a column every Monday on the Bowl Championship Series for ABC Sports Online.
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