Split national champions in 2000?

(AP)-Split national champions, anyone? <br><br>It could happen this season, especially if the Bowl Championship Series standings remain the same and No. 1 Oklahoma (11-0) plays No. 3 Florida State (11-1)

Sunday, November 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(AP)-Split national champions, anyone?

It could happen this season, especially if the Bowl Championship Series standings remain the same and No. 1 Oklahoma (11-0) plays No. 3 Florida State (11-1) in the Orange Bowl _ the BCS national title game on Jan. 3.

That would give No. 2 Miami (10-1) _ which owns a win over Florida State this season _ a chance to be crowned national champions in The Associated Press media poll by winning its BCS game, either in the Fiesta or Sugar bowls.

In the AP poll, sports writers and broadcasters vote independently of the BCS. The USA Today/ESPN coaches poll would automatically crown the winner of the Orange Bowl.

On Sunday, both polls again had Oklahoma, Miami and Florida State ranked 1-2-3, but this week the Hurricanes gained first-place votes on the Sooners.

The latest BCS standings, which use the two polls, eight computer rankings and schedule strength to determine who plays in a title game, will be released Monday. The Sooners and Seminoles were expected to remain 1-2, with the Hurricanes third.

``We're going to try to win one of the national championships,'' coach Butch Davis said after Miami beat Boston College 52-6 Saturday. Oklahoma hung on for a 12-7 win over Oklahoma State and lost votes with the lackluster outing.

Miami's best chance to reach the Orange Bowl would be if No. 8 Kansas State (10-2) upsets Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game Saturday night. But even then, co-national champions are still possible because there will be six top teams with just one loss apiece, including No. 4 Washington (10-1), which has a victory over Miami this season.

The BCS was created in 1998 to come up with two teams to play in a national title game, yet keep the bowl system intact. It worked the first two seasons, but might not this time.

The last time there were co-champions was after the 1997 season _ Michigan was the AP champion; Nebraska won the coaches poll.

If you think the national title race is scrambled, take a look at the coaching scene. An update:

_ Davis was to meet with Alabama officials about replacing Mike DuBose. Miami AD Paul Dee has offered Davis a contract extension on a deal that already pays him about $900,000 per year.

``We're doing everything we can to keep him,'' Dee said. ``The ball is in his court.''

_ Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer could leave for North Carolina, where he reportedly will be offered a deal worth $1.2 million per season to replace the fired Carl Torbush. The Hokies (10-1) beat Virginia 42-21 on Saturday and could be headed for a BCS bowl or end up in the Gator Bowl.

_ Clemson offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez replaces Don Nehlen as coach at West Virginia. Rodriguez, a former WVU player, gets a five-year deal worth $402,600 annually plus incentives that can total $100,000.

_ Virginia coach George Welsh completed his 19th season and hasn't announced whether he'll be back for a 20th. The Cavaliers finished 6-5 and could go to a bowl.

_ Arizona's Dick Tomey resigned after 14 years as Wildcats head coach. Tomey made the announcement after Arizona (5-6) lost to Arizona State 30-17 on Friday night.

_ Earlier last week, ASU's Bruce Snyder was fired. The Sun Devils are expected to go to a bowl game and Snyder is expected to coach them. TCU's Dennis Franchione has been mentioned as Snyder's replacement.

_ USC coach Paul Hackett reportedly will be fired. The Trojans finished a disappointing 5-7 after starting 3-0 and rising as high as No. 8 in the AP poll. USC lost to Notre Dame 38-21 on Saturday.

A recap:

No. 2 Miami 56, Boston College 6

At Miami, the Hurricanes won their ninth straight by scoring 52 consecutive points and rolling up 499 yards.

``We've done all we can do,'' defensive tackle Damione Lewis said. ``We beat No. 1 and we beat No. 2. We did what we had to do to put the program in the situation we're in now. Whatever happens, happens. It's up to the computers, but we know we're the team to reckon with.''

Ken Dorsey threw a career-high five TD passes, and Santana Moss broke Miami's career all-purpose yardage record as the Canes won their first Big East title since 1996. Moss caught two TD passes and ran 85 yards for a score on a punt return.

No. 6 Virginia Tech 42, Virginia 21

At Blacksburg, Va., Michael Vick, back after playing just one of the last 10 quarters because of a sprained ankle, threw for 202 yards and a TD. But he got second billing to Lee Suggs, who ran for three TDs and caught a pass for another. Suggs has 28 TDs this season.

Beamer says his team deserves a second straight BCS game.

``Am I missing something here?'' Beamer said. ``We have the best player in the country, a team that plays like heck. You have the Big East scoring leader, a defense that just fights and fights. You have special teams that can block punts and return kicks. Why would the BCS want us? That's a no-brainer to me.''

No. 11 Notre Dame 38, USC 21

At Los Angeles, Irish coach Bob Davie started the season on the hotseat, but now his team appears headed to a $13.5 million BCS game _ the Fiesta Bowl seems likely _ after its seventh straight win. Freshman Matt LoVecchio ran for two TDs and the Irish (9-2) turned two blocked punts into scores against the Trojans.

``I certainly hope it's the Fiesta Bowl or the Sugar Bowl,'' Davie said. ``I think it's a team people will enjoy, I think we'd be pretty attractive.''

___

Also:

At Nashville, Tenn., Travis Henry ran for 184 yards and two TDs as No. 21 Tennessee (8-3) held off Vanderbilt 28-26 _ its 18th straight win over the Commodores (3-8). ... Rutgers (3-8) lost 49-21 to Syracuse (6-5) in its final game under Terry Shea, who resigned with an 11-44 record in five seasons. ... North Carolina State beat Wake Forest 32-14 to finish 7-4 in its first season under Chuck Amato, former longtime Bobby Bowden assistant. The Wolfpack will play Minnesota in the Micronpc.com Bowl ... On Friday, Josh Brown kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired to lift Nebraska (9-2) over Colorado (3-8) 34-32. The Huskers, the preseason No. 1 pick, probably will lose out on a BCS game and settle for either the Cotton or Holiday bowls. ... LaVell Edwards received a rousing sendoff Friday night when BYU scored with 23 seconds left for a 34-27 win over Utah. It was the final game of Edwards' 29-year coaching career. ``It couldn't have been a better way out,'' Edwards (257-101-3) said. ``I've been blessed and I'm proud of what we've been able to get done over the years.'' ... Michael Bennett ran for 218 yards and a TD as Sun Bowl-bound Wisconsin (8-4) beat Hawaii 34-18 late Saturday night.