Utah Upsets 'Bama in Sugar Bowl

Coaches Meyer, Saban have deep ties to Patriots guru

(NEWSER) - Though he won’t be on the sidelines again until tomorrow, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick holds the common thread in today’s matchup between college football’s top-ranked. Urban Meyer and No. 1 Florida meet Nick Saban and No. 2 Alabama—both unbeaten—for the Southeastern Conference title and a spot in the national championship game, and the men share not only Belichick’s genius tag, but also deep personal and professional relationships. More»

(NEWSER) - Florida defeated top-ranked Alabama today by taking over the fourth quarter of the SEC Championship game and winning 31-20, the Gainesville Sun reports. Tim Tebow (a repeat Heisman winner?) led the Gators with three touchdown throws, one to Riley Cooper to seal the game in the final minutes. Florida will now play in the BCS title game for the second time in three years, while the Crimson Tide heads for the Sugar Bowl, the AP reports. More»

Hype machine already churning for Ohio State-USC showdown Sept. 13

(NEWSER) - With the college football season set to kick off Thursday, blogger The Kid outlines the five weekends that will help decide who plays in the national championship game on Jan. 8 in Miami.

• Aug. 30: Illinois and Missouri square off in St. Louis; Clemson and Alabama meet in Atlanta. “Grilled sausages will be distributed according to need,” Kid writes.

Congress explores launching antitrust probe, backing playoff

(NEWSER) - A Congressional resolution could have the Justice Department looking into whether the college football bowl system is illegal, the AP reports. The authors of the resolution say the system restricts trade because only the biggest schools seem to have a shot at being voted into the championship game. A look at the leglsiators' home addresses suggests a personal angle, however. More»

Bulldogs shut down offense led by Heisman finalist

(NEWSER) - There was little drama in this year's Sugar Bowl matchup, as SEC power Georgia showed no regard for Hawaii's 12-0 record in a thorough dismantling of the WAC champs, 41-10. The Bulldogs, feeling slighted at not being chosen for the national championship game, recorded eight sacks, forced six turnovers and knocked out Hawaii QB Colt Brennan, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. More»