Hurricanes, Gators sit 1-2 in BCS poll

Miami and Florida moved closer to playing the biggest game yet in their long, often bitter rivalry.

The Hurricanes and Gators settled into first and second place, respectively, in the Bowl Championship Series standings released Monday.

And all indications are that if both win the rest of their games, it's on to the national championship game in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 3.

Miami (10-0) and Florida (9-1) have met 50 times since 1938 -- the series is tied 25-all -- but never with the national title on the line for both teams. Last year, Miami beat Florida 37-20 in the Sugar Bowl, just a few days after players from each team duked it out in a Bourbon Street brawl.

With Nebraska and Oklahoma losing -- the Huskers were first, the Sooners third entering the Thanksgiving weekend -- the latest BCS standings underwent major changes.

Texas (10-1) jumped to third place, with Nebraska (11-1) fourth, Oregon (9-1) fifth and Tennessee (9-1) sixth.

Miami, ranked No. 1 in the AP media poll the past seven weeks, had 2.92 points in the BCS standings. Florida had 6.95 points and Texas was next at 8.77 points. The next three teams were within 1.39 points of each other -- Nebraska at 10.48 points, Oregon at 10.87 and Tennessee at 11.87.

The BCS ratings, which determine who plays in Pasadena, are based on a formula that incorporates the AP media and coaches' polls, eight computers, strength of schedule, won-lost record and bonus points for big wins.

The final BCS standings will be released Dec. 9.