Florida was an up-and-coming power and Oklahoma was a declining one when Bob Stoops made his move. He left his post as Gators defensive coordinator to take his first head-coaching job with the Sooners.

Ten years later, both programs are on top. On Sunday, they earned their invitations to play for the BCS national championship on Jan. 8 in Miami.

As expected, the final BCS standings had Oklahoma at No. 1 and Florida at No. 2 – the reverse order of their rankings in the Associated Press poll – setting up the first meeting between these storied programs.

“Nine weeks ago our team got together and said let’s make every game count,” Gators coach Urban Meyer said, speaking of Florida’s rebound from its only loss in September to Mississippi.

Florida (12-1) has averaged 49 points a game in the nine games since its only lost. Oklahoma (12-1) became the first team since 1919 to score 60-plus in five straight games.