Slideshow

BCS Championship Game Top images from No. 1 Florida's 24-14 victory over No. 2 Oklahoma more photos

/

updated 8:56 p.m. ET Jan. 9, 2009

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Florida coach Urban Meyer wrapped both hands around the crystal football Friday, started to lift it off its stand and then nearly fumbled the whole trophy.

He might have an easier time holding on to the championship next year.

Just hours after the Gators celebrated their second national title in three years, Meyer made it clear he expects them to be in contention again this fall.

A run for the roses? Florida could spend the next seven months as the preseason favorite to reach the Bowl Championship Series title game at the Rose Bowl, especially if quarterback Tim Tebow, receiver Percy Harvin and linebacker Brandon Spikes return for their senior seasons.

“I’m not sure what the word dynasty means,” Meyer said Friday, about 10 hours after the Gators beat Oklahoma 24-14 in Miami. “I’m very confident now. I see a program that’s set. We’re good. I didn’t feel that way two years ago. ... Next year is going to be a very good senior class, but behind them is another group, another group. We don’t have that void is my point.”

There could be huge void if Meyer’s three stars turn pro. Tebow, Harvin and Spikes submitted paperwork to the NFL’s advisory counsel last month in hopes of getting a better feel for their draft status. None of them gave any new insight their decisions after the game.

Harvin, considered the most likely to jump to the next level, said it was possible that all three of them might to return and go for a repeat — much like former Florida basketball teammates Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green did after winning the title in 2006.

Meyer joked that he might mention what happened on the hardcourt to try to sway his guys.

“In all honesty, I’m not going to start using angles because I don’t want to ever influence a guy to make a decision,” Meyer said. “Whenever you make a life-changing decision, place of employment, having a family, getting married, all those big decisions you have to make, you put it all on the table and you make sure you’re doing it for the right reason.”

That wasn’t necessarily the case in recent years. Meyer said some players made decisions without his input.

“Some uncle told me to do this and my peoples can get me in the second round,” Meyer said. “I look at him going, ’What peoples are you talking about?’

“I love this team because they’re very professional. I don’t have any idea what the decision is yet. But they’ll make it the right way, and that’s family, coaches, people that know what they’re talking about, not some guru or some peoples. That will not be part of the discussion.”

The Gators will lose three senior starters — all on offense. Receiver Louis Murphy and offensive tackles Phil Trautwein and Jason Watkins will be gone.

The rest of the team could be intact, and Meyer has another strong recruiting class on the way. But can he ever find another Tebow or Harvin?

Tebow completed 18 of 30 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns against the Sooners. He missed a few open receivers and threw two interceptions in Florida’s first three possessions.

“Tim came in at halftime and said, ’We’re not playing our game and I’m not playing mine,”’ tight end Tate Casey said. “He said, ’I’m not going to do anything but make this team better in the second half.’ He came out and lived up to his word — just like he did after Ole Miss.”

More news

Dave Martin / AP

'Bama-Michigan set for prime-time

CFT: Alabama and Michigan announced Tuesday that their highly anticipated season opener will kick off in prime-time at Cowboys Stadium. The game is slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 1.

CFT: Texas AD says Big 12 doesn't need to expand

Headlines

• Label

CFT: Stewart, 59, dies of apparent heart attack

Judge refuses to delay Sandusky's trial

CFT: Boise St, Mtn. West send mixed messages

CFT: Oklahoma officially adds ex-Arizona CB

CFT: Big 12 still split on expansion

SportsTalk: SEC, Big 12 team up

CFT: Big 12, SEC champs to meet in bowl

Ex-Air Force RB Clark dismissed from academy