The B(C)S

Another regular season comes to a close in college football and it again results in embarrassment for the BCS system. The system that was started in 1998 as a method for crowning a true national champion has had as many perplexing national champion scenarios result as true national champions. Let's take a look back over the years.

1998: In the first year of the BCS, the day before the final poll was released, there were still three teams that were undefeated. This led to speculation about what might happen if there are three undefeated teams and only two spots in the championship game. By the end of the day, two of those undefeated teams had lost setting the stage for a matchup between undefeated Tennessee and one-loss Florida State. It seemed to work out okay but it left undefeated Tulane, a school from a non-BCS conference, completely out of the picture. Result: Tennessee won to remain undefeated. It was a little scary for a while there, but the system worked.

1999: The second year worked out quite a bit better for the system. Both Florida State and Virginia Tech ended the regular season undefeated and thus met in the national championship game. It did however leave out undefeated Marshall, another school from a non-BCS conference. Result: Florida State won to remain undefeated. It's getting better but what is going to happen if there are three undefeateds from BCS conferences?

2000: The third year had at least one clear team for the title game in undefeated Oklahoma, but there were three one-loss teams all vying for the number two spot in the poll. Miami had beaten Florida State during the regular season, but Miami had been beaten by Washington. But due to Florida State's wins over ranked opponents during the season, they were awarded the chance to play Oklahoma in the title game. Result: Oklahoma won to remain undefeated. Did you see what happened there with the three teams vying for the number two spot? It's kind of like what might happen if there are three undefeated teams.

2001: The fourth year seemingly had the numbers going for them until the inexplicable happened. Again there was one clear participant in undefeated Miami, but there were four one-loss teams. Amazingly, Nebraska got the nod over Colorado even after they were beaten mercilessly by the Buffalos who went on to win the Big XII title game. Result: Miami destroyed the unworthy Nebraska to remain undefeated. Doesn't it seem a little strange that a team that didn't even win it's conference can play in the national title game?

2002: The fifth year was probably the smoothest for the system. There were two undefeated teams and they met in the national championship game. Undefeated Miami played undefeated Ohio State. Result: Ohio State won in double-overtime as a result of a questionable call. Ohio State remained undefeated. It worked out but what happens if there is a third undefeated team?

2003: The sixth year of the system is when all hell really broke loose. There were no undefeated teams at the end of the regular season. There were three one-loss teams and only two spots in the championship game. Oklahoma had been badly beaten in the Big XII conference championship game, but inexplicably retained it's #1 ranking despite being ranked #3 in both the AP and Coaches polls. Similarly, USC was relegated to #3 in the BCS despite it's top ranking in both the AP and Coaches polls. Consequently, Oklahoma met LSU in the national title game while USC was forced to play a two-loss Michigan team. Result: LSU won and USC won. The rules of the BCS require that the Coaches must vote for the winner of the BCS title game #1 but it makes no rules about the AP votes. LSU was voted #1 in the Coaches poll while USC was voted #1 in the AP poll. Thus, the national championship was split between LSU and USC. Wasn't the whole point of this system to keep split national championships from happening?

2004: And here we are in the glorious seventh year. I am eagerly awaiting the final BCS poll which is released at 4:00 this afternoon. This year there are three undefeated teams that all played twelve games. There are actually five undefeateds if you count Utah and Boise State from non-BCS conferences. The top three spots as of last week were held by USC, Oklahoma and Auburn. There's no telling how the coaches and sportswriters will vote, but it would seem most likely that the top three will remain unchanged sending USC and Oklahoma to the title game while leaving Auburn out. Result: Haven't people been saying this would happen since 1998? The people from the BCS will have their reasons for sending the two teams they select and they will stand by them, but does that make it right? The only way to solve this mess is a playoff. Sure it would make the season longer, but aren't these guys trying to get into the NFL where they play for sixteen weeks and then have playoffs? Why can't college players handle a few more weeks. Lord knows that there are enough post-season bowl games to accommodate a playoff.

The point is that the BCS system is just a bunch of BS. I really can't wait to see how it shakes out and not only for the national championship but the at-large bowl spots as well. I know where I'll be at 4:00 this afternoon.