It’s that time of the year again. Just as the turkey you ate last week is about to be fully digested, the BCS standings are ready to upset your stomach once again.
But that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The system is known for causing feelings of discontent and nausea.
Every year, the BCS draws ire from fans regardless of whether their teams are worthy of a BCS bid. Last year, the system snubbed a 10-1 Oregon team, and that decision was criticized only within the state because the nation’s beloved Fighting Irish of Notre Dame got into their first BCS bowl since, well, I don’t care.
The national audience has made it quite clear it doesn’t like looking at the Ducks’ varying coloring schemes. Apparently Leprechauns coach Charlie Weis’ robust figure is less grotesque than green and yellow uniforms
The BCS had its national title selection too easy last year by having USC and Texas as the two remaining undefeated teams and the only thing that was worth complaining about was the Leprechauns snubbing the Ducks because of the special clause that allows Notre Dame an automatic berth if they’re ranked at least eighth in the BCS rankings.
Otherwise, it was a pretty good year for the selection committee, though neither the Ducks or Leprechauns helped their argument by losing their respective bowl games.
This year, however, the BCS is shaping to be wrought with controversy when USC leap-frogged then No. 2 Michigan in the standings after the Trojans beat the Leprechauns by 20 points last week.
This is insane, but it seems like the nation is divided on whether Michigan or USC should play Ohio State in for the national title.
Michigan proved itself worthy of playing the Buckeyes for a second time after losing to them 42-39 in Columbus, Ohio. Losing to the No. 1 team in the nation on the road shouldn’t have been an issue for the Wolverines, but the Trojans’ tough non-conference schedule and the nation’s glorification of the team has paved their way into the national title game for yet another year.
Michigan is the more deserving team. Its only loss came to the No. 1 Buckeyes while USC lost to Oregon State a month ago. Which loss exposed more flaws in the team? The answer should be obvious.
Michigan proved that a rematch would make for another exciting game but the dollar signs are what counts for the selection committee. Despite Michigan’s large national fan base, USC is always a factory for mass hype and profits.
But that doesn’t explain why AP writers and coaches would vote for USC to be ahead of Michigan in the national polls. Maybe they’re not interested in seeing a rematch either, or they’re buying into the USC hype, too.
While I’ll admit that a Buckeye-Trojan matchup is intriguing, I already know that Michigan would make for a more exciting game, and that’s more important to me than seeing USC represent the Pacific-10 Conference in the BCS again.
Once again, they’re getting too much credit for what the team has done in the past. Like I’ve said before, while USC is still one of the top teams in the nation, it’s not near the same echelon of previous years.
And if a greater selection travesty happens, say Boise State being snubbed in favor of Notre Dame for a BCS berth, by God, I’ll finally join in support for a playoff system.
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