The BCS: What we Think

Heading in to championship week, the argument has begun to form on how the BCS is bad for college football, and how screwed a certain team from Texas is getting. The next two posts illustrate the good and the bad about the system that, like it or not, determines January matchups.

Alabama, as evident by the fact that they are the only remaining big-conference school that is undefeated is ranked number one going into the last week of the season. There are no arguments coming from this corner, they have outplayed everyone on their schedule this year. In reality, they have only been challenged once this season, when they won an overtime thriller at LSU.

Number two this week is Oklahoma, and deservedly so. The Sooners are on a roll, having won their last 6 games, and averaging 59.5 points per game since their loss to Texas in early October. Including the loss to Texas, Oklahoma is averaging 53 points per game, a staggering number for the entire season. This week, they will take on Missouri in the Big 12 Championship game, a reward decided by the Big 12’s fifth tie-breaker, BCS ranking. The tie-breaker decided which team would represent the South in the title game, Texas, Oklahoma or Texas Tech. All three teams went 1-1 head-to-head, with wins coming on everyone’s home field (Texas/OU is held annually at the cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Texas is the home of Texas, lest time I checked). Oklahoma’s one loss was to Texas, which brings us to our main point:

• OKLAHOMA IS BETTER THAN TEXAS AND TEXAS TECH: This is true, because Texas beat the same Oklahoma State team by four at home that Oklahoma beat by 20 on the road. Oklahoma also beat/destroyed the Texas Tech team that beat the Texas team. Those are the two reasons why Oklahoma being number 2 is right.

The Texas Longhorns sit at three, behind the previously discussed Sooners. Texas is 11-1, with the loss coming in Lubbock on a last-second TD against Texas Tech. Texas belongs at three because of the loss to Texas Tech and Oklahoma’s pounding of those same Red Raiders. Texas is also not as explosive on offense as the Oklahoma team we have seen this year, especially lately. What the Longhorn fans should be worried about right now is a dangerous team from Ohio that they may have to square off against in the Fiesta Bowl, barring Oklahoma falling apart in the title game on Saturday. Ohio State, unlike most teams in the Big 12, play defense. Say what you want about the Big Ten, but every team in the league played defense this year. It seemed like someone in the Big 12 gave up 60 points every week.

Then there’s Florida at four. The Gators are playing the best all-around football of anyone right now. They have won their last 8, including wins at then 3rd-ranked LSU (51-21), 8th-ranked Georgia (49-10), 23rd-ranked South Carolina (56-6) and this past weekend, beating 24th-ranked Florida State (45-15). Florida is outscoring their opponents by 30 points per game, and giving up just over 12 points per game. They are complete, on both sides of the ball and despite being ranked fourth, will be favorites against Alabama this Saturday afternoon. I think they will win, and play Oklahoma in the National Championship game.

Here’s how we have the BCS shaping out:

ROSE: Penn State vs. USC – A great game which will be good for both schools. Penn State should be the underdog in this game, which will make then that for the first time this season. Naturally, we expect Penn State to win, and if they do, it could be the beginning of good tings for a long time at PSU. It would be lovely to tell kids from Ohio that they can come to a program who can win a big game.

ORANGE: Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech – We think VaTech beats Boston College on Saturday in the ACC title game (which for both schools in conveniently located in Tampa Bay, Florida. This should be the least exciting game of all the BCS match-ups, and it should be a great night to do some post-Christmas Phillies DVD watching.

SUGAR: Alabama vs. Utah – Alabama falls here after losing to Florida and they should end up playing Utah, who will play in their second BCS game in school history. This one won’t go as the first did, when the blasted Pitt under present-day Florida coach Urban Meyer. Nick Saban will win another Sugar Bowl and Alabama is back, and they’ll be around for a while. Us Penn State fans can’t wait for the second week of September in 2010.

FIESTA: Texas vs. Ohio State – A match-up between two schools rich in college football history should provide a great player to step on to the national stage. Like him or hate him, Terrelle Pryor is going to be huge and this game will be his coming out party. Texas’ defense can be had a as weird as it is to think Ohio State could win a big bowl game, we’re going to think they can that way when they lose we won’t be crushed.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Oklahoma vs. Florida – No arguments here, these are hands-down the two best teams in college football. Offensive fireworks in this one, if it happens.