So far, so perfect for No. 1 Oklahoma.
Not only are the Sooners playing for their first national championship since 1985, they get to do it in one of their favorite games — the Orange Bowl.
"Oklahoma traditionally has played extremely well in the Orange Bowl," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said Sunday. "Our players understand that Oklahoma plays well in the Orange Bowl, and you can bet we'll watch a bunch of those highlights."
Of Oklahoma's five national titles, three were clinched with Orange Bowl victories; the other two were accomplished with perfect records, but without playing in a bowl game. The Sooners are 11-5 in Orange Bowls.
This time, Oklahoma (12-0) goes against No. 3 Florida State (11-1) in the Orange Bowl, the Bowl Championship Series' designated title game, on Jan. 3.
While the Sooners are back in the championship chase, Florida State seems to be in the mix every year — no matter what system college football uses.
For the fourth time in the five seasons, the Seminoles will play with the national title on the line thanks to Sunday's final BCS standings, which rated them second behind Oklahoma but ahead of Miami (10-1), which beat Florida State 27-24 on Oct. 7.
"I feel lucky, but the thing is this formula was made before the season ever started," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said of the system of rating teams using polls, computers, schedule strength and losses. "The formula spit this thing out that it was us, therefore I feel good about it."
The matchup creates the possibility of split national champions. The AP media poll and the coaches' poll have Oklahoma and Miami ranked 1-2. If Florida State beats Oklahoma and Miami beats Florida in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, there's a chance for co-champions.
The AP poll's sports writers and broadcasters vote independently of the BCS, but the coaches' poll crowns the Orange Bowl winner as its champion.