The Third Wheel: Top 5 BCS Title Game Snubs
December 13, 2012 7:26 am
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Yeah, I know. Putting non-BCS teams in here is just sacrilege, but I don't care, these guys were really good. Playing in the decent Mountain West Conference, the Horned Frogs only had one team come within a score of them, San Diego State, and dominated most other opponents, including Oregon State and Baylor.
The defense was the key, as they ranked first overall and in pass defense, and held seven teams to 7 points or less, including 2 shutouts. Their Andy Dalton-led offense was also efficient, and to top it all off, they knocked off a good Wisconsin team in the Rose Bowl.
If either Oregon or Auburn had lost a game, it would have been tough to keep them out of the big game.
Occasionally the BCS has been known to get it right, but most of the the time there's always a team or two that merits stronger consideration for a national championship shot than the machinations of a computer formula.
But who are theses teams, what gives them the right to claim a national title shot and why did they fall short?
Here are the top five , but there are just a few things I'd like to add: a team doesn't have to be No. 3; it doesn't need to have won its division; it needs to have won its bowl game; and finally, the top two may still be worthy.
Feel free to lambaste with your opinions, they are always welcome. On with the (slide) show!
Read more: Andy Dalton, Auburn Tigers, Brandon Weeden, Brian Cushing, Carlos Rogers, Clay Matthews, Jason Campbell, Justin Blackmon, mark sanchez, Matt Leinart, National, NCAA, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Oregon Ducks, Rey Maualuga, Ronnie Brown, TCU Horned Frogs, Texas A&M Aggies, USC Trojans, Will Herring
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They certainly are subjective, Bob. I could rant for hours about them, but I won't bore you. The first thing they need to do is get rid of ridiculous preseason polls that impact in-season polls. One (the only) thing I actually like about the BCS poll is it isn't released until midseason. This is a more sensible approach. But the polls just can't be justified (to me anyway).
Nope. The point is, the original system was flawed and the BCS was meant to fix it but didn't. That's why a playoff system is being put in place. It's not perfect, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
For the record, preseason rankings have been the scourge of the college world and can not belong as long as a mythical champion is no longer desired.
Paul-I agree with your thought of "BY taking the top 2 teams....... " but I'm glad you added that it's a very good start. Yes, it is, but what would be wrong with re-examining those top 3 teams at the end and making sure that the odd man out (the 3rd Ranked Team) is really only the 3rd best, and not possibly the 2nd best. They are getting left out of the biggest, most important game of the year. If a panel of "experts" could determine that the 3rd best would be favored to beat the 1st or 2nd best team, then why shouldn't they be Ranked above those other teams?
Paul-by the way-what is your thought on the fact that Ala. is a 7 to 10 point (I think) favorite over ND and yet the Rankings have ND NO.1 ? I always thought the No. 1 Team was the to be the best in the nation.
Bob, bear in mind that those odds are not set by the NCAA or the BCS, but by independent organisations.
Al-yeah, I know how Vegas and other oddsmakers set their favorites number, but I heard other sports talk shows have discussions about the game, and the general concensus was-7-10. Here's what I wonder-who would the guys that voted ND No.1 favor in the game. I'm guessing that a majority of them would favor Ala. Then the even bigger question-who would they favor in ND vs. Fla.? If that came out to be Fla., then I say change the Rankings and the Champ. game opponents. Let's get the 2 best Teams in the game.
I don't think Florida are number 2, their offense stinks, but irregardless, the problem stems from preseason polls having real-world value. And the BCS is a crock...
Paul, I think comparing some middle of the pack team in the playoffs to potentially the top team in the nation is hardly going to cause the same uproar. I absolutely agree with you on preseason polls, they should be the equivalent to mock drafts - fun, but no bearing on sports reality. If there is such a thing...
Good question, Ed. Either preseason voters take take a "this has to be their year" approach, or they consult astrologers. From Oklahoma.