Gators' win puts all doubts to rest

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MIAMI

Now that a new year is here, it's time to let go of some BCS-induced angst. In that vein, congrats to No. 1 Florida.

As for the yipping ankle-biters otherwise known as Utah, Southern Cal and Texas: Get over it.

Trojans, not only did you lose, you also lost to by far the worst team (Oregon State) among those squads with one loss.

Longhorns, your team stunk up the Fiesta Bowl, barely edging a one-dimensional Ohio State bunch that hasn't completed a forward pass since Troy Smith left Columbus.

And it's hard to buy the Utes' movement. They think they deserve a piece of the national title for finishing undefeated in the Mountain West. Really?

First, stop deluding yourselves about the Sugar Bowl victory against an Alabama bunch that emotionally and literally disbanded after coming up one quarter short of the national title game. When Florida's Tim Tebow shattered the Crimson Tide's crystal-football dreams in the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship game, Alabama took a rain check on the postseason.

Though the rest of the team was psychologically MIA in New Orleans, Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith was officially absent, taking his game and the cornerstone of Alabama's power-based offense to the NFL. The team Utah beat was more like the Crimson Hyde.

Second, is there anyone in America who thinks the Utes could stay on the same field with Florida? Urban Meyer invented the Utah offense and now runs it in Gainesville with real athletes.

Third, there's no playoff. Amazingly, most teams were familiar with this entering the season. It's unfortunate, perhaps even a touch unfair, but it's also reality.