The Florida Gators, who completed a 13-1 season with an impressive win over Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game, are truly deserving of the national title.
But so, too, are the Utah Utes.
And that's why the Gators and the Utes share the top spot in the final About.com Top 25 for 2008.
The Gators may not like it, but at the end of the day, I could not deny Utah—the only undefeated team in the entire country—at least a share of the championship. The Utes beat several good teams during the regular season, including a Top 10 TCU team, and capped off their remarkable year with a 31-17 upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. They finished 13-0—and that's something that deserves our respect.
What follows is the final About.com Top 25 for 2008:
1. (tie) Florida: Tim Tebow will go down as one of the greatest ever.
1. (tie) Utah: That win over ‘Bama was no fluke. The Utes dominated. They earned the About.com co-championship.
3. USC: Thought they would have been challenged by Penn State in the Rose Bowl. So much for that.
4. Texas: The entire season turned on one blown coverage at Texas Tech.
5. Oklahoma: Sooner offense shut down by SEC defense.
6. Alabama: Stunning collapse in Sugar Bowl. But Saban will be back.
7. Penn State: Second-quarter defensive meltdown cost them against USC.
8. TCU: Only loss on the season? Against Oklahoma. Not bad.
9. Ohio State: Fought hard, but came up short against Texas.
10. Oregon: Came on strong at end of season.
11. Georgia: Dawgs will miss Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, both of whom are headed off to the NFL.
12. Ole Miss: Houston Nutt—coach of the year?
13. Texas Tech: The Big 12 South did not fare well in its bowl games.
14. Boise State: Another strong season for the boys from Boise. One of America’s most consistent programs.
15. Virginia Tech: Finally got that BCS bowl win.
16. Oklahoma State: Not enough defense.
17. Cincinnati: Can Brian Kelly build a consistent winner in the Queen City?
18. Iowa: How will they replace Shonn Greene?
19. Missouri: Jeremy Maclin is really, really good.
20. Oregon State: That Sun Bowl win was dreadful. But still a win, I guess.
21. Florida State: Destroyed Wisconsin.
22. Georgia Tech: After great season, flopped in bowl matchup with LSU.
23. Michigan State: Mark Dantonio’s team will be back next year.
24. West Virginia: Might miss Pat White. Just a bit.
25. Northwestern: Valliant effort in Alamo Bowl falls just short.
Dropped Out: Pitt, Ball State
