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BCS founder likes idea of a split championship

MIAMI -- The man who helped create the Bowl Championship Series said Wednesday night that he likes the idea of two national champions.

With Oregon's win over Colorado on Tuesday, there is the possibility of a split championship. If Miami loses to Nebraska tonight, Oregon likely will be voted national champion by the Associated Press and Nebraska would be champion by virtue of the BCS.

"Isn't that great? I think it would be wonderful," said Roy Kramer, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference and founder of the BCS. "It would make a lot of people happy. Three hundred guys would get rings instead of 150."

Kramer attended the Orange Bowl on Wednesday night, his eighth bowl visit of the season. He said changes in the BCS can be expected during the offseason.

"I'm sure there will be, but who knows what they will be right now," Kramer said.

MARYLAND CRAZED: How happy were Maryland fans to have their beloved Terrapins in a bowl game for the first time in a decade? Happy enough to need 30,000 tickets.

Pro Player Stadium was a sea of red as Maryland fans dominated the Orange Bowl. Maryland sold its mandatory 15,000 tickets, then requested 5,000 more. Terrapins fans got another 10,000 through other outlets.

"We've had a wonderful time here in Miami," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

LOCK IT UP: Florida coach Steve Spurrier promised that if the Gators earned an Orange Bowl trophy, Florida would take better care of it than it did its last one.

The Gators 1998 trophy was stolen from a closet behind the football secretary's desk.

"Someone walked in, walked out with it and it has never been seen again," Spurrier said.

Spurrier said a more secure trophy case has been built.

A HELPING HAND: Because this is Friedgen's first bowl as a head coach, he looked for guidance from colleagues.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer came to his aid. Because both have coached in an Orange Bowl (Stoops led Oklahoma to a national championship in Miami last season), each sent Friedgen his itinerary to help him stay organized.

SNELL INJURED: Sophomore guard Shannon Snell, a former Hillsborough High standout, sprained his ankle early in the second quarter. He taped it but ended up on crutches.

CHANGING TIMES: A week has made a big difference for Florida quarterback Rex Grossman after he said he received a warm welcome in his hometown.

The sophomore went back to Bloomington, Ind., after finishing second in the Heisman Trophy balloting and being named Associated Press Player of the Year.

"We had a good time for Christmas, it snowed up there," Grossman said. "A lot of people congratulated me on a good year. It was a good time seeing friends."

CARTHON INJURED: Tailback Ran Carthon injured his back during the first half.

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