2012 BCS rankings: Gators ranked No. 4, can still play for National Championship

The Florida Gators find themselves at No. 4 in the latest BCS rankings, keeping a chance at playing in the National Championship Game alive thanks to losses by the Kansas St. Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks over the weekend. Despite that, the Gators' chances are hurt by the fact that they will not play in the SEC Championship Game.

However, Andy Hutchins of Alligator Army believes that after a potential win against the Florida St. Seminoles, with some help, the Gators could be in a position to play for the title without playing in the SEC Championship Game:

But Florida needs just a win over Florida State and a loss by Notre Dame to USC ... to be in position to go to Miami and play for the national championship, because that SEC Championship Game still has to give a loss to a team ahead of Florida.

If the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lose, the Gators would need the Alabama Crimson Tide to lose to the Auburn Tigers or the Georgia Bulldogs to lose to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to at least make the idea of playing for the championship possible. If that doesn't work out in the Gators' favor, a win against the Seminoles would at least clinch the Gators a spot in one of the BCS bowl games:

If Florida beats Florida State, it will play in a BCS bowl game, and possibly for a national title. If the Gators lose to the Seminoles for the third straight time, they can look forward to spending New Year's in Orlando.

The Gators play the Seminoles on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and the game is set to be broadcast on ABC.