USC may lose BCS title but Auburn is still feeling the burn
Tommy Tuberville banged the drum for his Auburn team after the Sugar Bowl, and rightfully so.
So we’ve already established that this is a major kegger day in Knoxville (click here for the updated USC story). The Lane Kiffin/Weenie Roast officially begins at 3 p.m., when the NCAA is scheduled to drop the probation hammer on USC.
But how do you feel today if you’re an Auburn fan? USC may get stripped of its 2004 BCS national championship, and the Tigers never were allowed to even play in that game, despite going through the season undefeated.
Is this a day for Auburn to feel vindicated or just angry?
Rewind to 2004: Auburn went 12-0 through the regular season but finished third in the BCS standings, behind USC and Oklahoma (which also went 12-0). To any SEC follower, the thought of going through the conference season undefeated and not winding up in the national title game is ludicrous. But the Tigers had to settle for the Sugar Bowl, and they defeated Virginia Tech, 16-14.
Auburn’s case for being in the BCS title game even was supported by Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, who said, “We started out playing Southern Cal and I believe this Auburn team is better.”
So you can imagine what the opinion was of Oklahoma — especially after the Trojans destroyed the Sooners, 55-19, to claim the title.
“Neither team is better than us,” Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville proclaimed. “We’ll play them anytime, anywhere.”
Never got that chance.
Now what? The BCS added to its bylaws in 2007 — after the NCAA began looking into potential violations at USC — that gives it the power to strip a championship from the winner. Quoting:
“When the NCAA or a conference makes a finding of violations … and imposes a sanction of forfeiture or vacation of contests in which an ineligible student-athlete participated, we will presume that vacation of participation in a BCS bowl game is warranted.”
This doesn’t mean the BCS (which is independent of the NCAA) is suddenly going to declare Oklahoma the winner and give Auburn a runner-up trophy. If it opts to strip USC, there just won’t be a champion listed for 2004.
Conversely, the Associated Press will not change its final rankings from that season: USC will remain No. 1 and Auburn (which drew three first-place votes) will be No. 2.
The Tigers probably deserve a little more than that.
But then, they also deserved more in 2004.
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301 comments Add your comment
ReddJonn68
June 10th, 2010
4:43 pm
What is all this crazy talk about fining or suspending Bush, just like Carroll he is no longer at USC. He is not the first or last player to violate NCAAs rules or policies. To be honest his family should be ashamed they’re recieved most of the benifits off of his status quo. It’s coaches like Carroll & Rodriguez (who get paid millions) who walk around on campuses of higher learning, wearing dunce caps, & claiming to be oblivious to everything. Also one of the standards of being selected Heisman trophy winner is no violation of NCAAs rules, so stay tuned.
Get Over It
June 10th, 2010
4:44 pm
What a bunch of whinners!! USC and Okla. started the season 1 and 2, remained undefeated, and played in the NC. Auburn started the season somewhere in the 11-13 range, had a great season, and finished 2nd. Deal with it and get over your inferiority complex and “woe-is-me” attitude.
2004 Auburn
June 10th, 2010
4:46 pm
“Deal with it and get over your inferiority complex and “woe-is-me” attitude.”
Nothing better than a grumpy Arkansas fan.
Tom
June 10th, 2010
4:47 pm
Hey Steve….I know it is hard for you to give credit to Auburn as we have been whooping the DAWGS butts, going back and forth for decades…but give credit when credit is due. Don’t let your jealousy of Auburn cloud your vision. Auburn has had three NC type season since your puppy dogs last championship. We just didn’t get the votes.
And also, I am so sick of all these people saying that just because Auburn lost to Southern Cal in 2003 that it automatically means we would have lost to them in 2004. Using that logic, we shouldn’t even play football every year. As if teams can’t improve or hire coaches that make them better. Might as well not play Florida next year Steve…according to these fans logic…you are never going to beat Florida. What a joke.
Jay
June 10th, 2010
4:47 pm
Why are you Auburn fans still crying about ooh they didn’t let us play for the champship. When you put together a few real good years in a row maybe you’ll get recognized. Short memory, USC beat the brakes off of the same Auburn team the year before by like 30 or 40 so stop crying and win some games. What is your record the last 6yrs ?????????? sorry
2004 Auburn
June 10th, 2010
4:48 pm
NCAA strength of schedule.
5. Auburn – 0.618 (opponents winning %)
11. Oklahoma – 0.607
18. USC 0.581
AU played and beat 5 top 25 teams.
USC played and beat 3 but they cheated.
Oklahomo played and beat………1 ranked team. Texas.
For all the troglodytes talking about AU playing the Citidel.
Florida played Citidel in 2008. Nuff said.
schmeckdawg
June 10th, 2010
4:49 pm
the TRUTH, how can you spew such hatred at The Joke by Coke? Kidding, I love it!!!!!!!!!
2004 Auburn
June 10th, 2010
4:49 pm
“Short memory, USC beat the brakes off of the same Auburn team the year before ”
Yeah, so by using that stupid logic, Bama didn’t beat FL last year because Bama lost to FL the year before.
USC had two great years…..and they cheated both years.
West Coast Bias
June 10th, 2010
4:50 pm
We might as well give Alabama the 2004 title- in 50 years they’ll claim it anyway.
Tom
June 10th, 2010
4:52 pm
Jay…Auburn’s record last 6 years? 55-21. Clearly not the best….but one of the best in the country. And that is with a head coaching change and two straight great recruiting classes. Get a clue and shut up.
2004 Auburn
June 10th, 2010
4:53 pm
“What is your record the last 6yrs ?????????? sorry”
2004 Auburn went undefeated.
2005 Auburn finished at number 14.
2006 Auburn finished at number 9.
Auburn is on the way up.
TJ
June 10th, 2010
4:53 pm
Don’t be so sure that Auburn would have beaten Utah….
Steve
June 10th, 2010
4:54 pm
Tom, you make me laugh. Auburn has been kicking UGA’s butt for decades? Are you serious? First off, the overall series is pretty much even moron. Second, UGA has won 4 in a row against you kittens. “Auburn has had 3 NC “TYPE” seasons since UGA won a NC.” That’s funny. Go check out the final top 10 rankings since 2000 and let me know how many times UGA ended in the top 10 compared to the kittens, birds, whatever you are.
Alphare
June 10th, 2010
4:54 pm
Man, Bush is something. Why the haste? Everybody knew you were good even back then. You are going to get your money eventually. Why cannot you wait a few months to get your millions, instead of thousands right away? Association with people like Bush ruins not only reputation of individuals like Pete Carrol, but an entire institution like USC.
Actually, I don’t place blame much on USC. USC is a big institution with thousands of athletes and boosters, it’s hard not to hard a bad apple or two.
I believe it’s the greedy parents that cannot wait for a new house.
juvenal
June 10th, 2010
4:54 pm
go ahead & claim it, au-they are all mythical without a play-off,any way…in a real play-off, if #1 is disqualified, #2 is elevated automatically…
Tweets that mention USC may lose BCS title but Auburn is still feeling the burn | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
June 10th, 2010
4:54 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ajc sports editor, Gabe Correa. Gabe Correa said: AJC: USC may lose BCS title but Auburn is still feeling the burn: The Lane Kiffin/Weenie Roast officially begins at 3PM http://bit.ly/9Kr22O [...]
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
4:55 pm
Tom
Most of the idiots who on here trashing Auburn don’t even realize that Auburn set an all-time NFL recruiting record with players drafted in the top 25. Everyone of those players are starting.
Auburn played and beat 5 top 25 teams in 2004.
Alphare
June 10th, 2010
4:57 pm
Yes, Auburn deserves to be 04 champ if it’s up to me.
Tom
June 10th, 2010
5:00 pm
Steve…read first idiot. I said back and forth for decades. Enjoy your 4 game streak…not like Auburn has never had one on UGA. How can you have so much disrespect for a team that is right there with you? The series is Auburn 51-50-8 I believe. I would say that is back and forth wouldn’t you? As far as the present in concerned I am not worried…the two programs are headed in different directions. Richt reminds me of Tuberville. You are right…Richt’s record is impressive, but if he was going to win one…he would have won it by now. He is losing the team mentally and he is running out of gas. I see another 5 loss season for you guys…mainly because Bobo cant develop a QB to save his life.
Steve
June 10th, 2010
5:00 pm
Alphare, why is that? If Auburn does, so does Oklahoma. Would you really want it HANDED to the kittens without even playing in the NC game? Pretty pathetic. It will be forever before Auburn wins one, if they ever do.
Gatorbait 17-3
June 10th, 2010
5:02 pm
It is so fitting the Kiffin gets this stuck up where the sun doesn’t shine. I also read (Schultz) that Kiffin was head of recruiting from 2001-2006 when alot of this happened.
It is poetic justice.
Steve
June 10th, 2010
5:02 pm
Ha ha. Funny you say that when many “experts” are picking UGA to possibly be a surprise team and most pick them 2nd in the East compared to Auburn 4th in the West. UGA’s direction is up, again. In 2011 they will be a top 10 team, again, and will contend in 2012. They will go 9-3 this year.
Jay
June 10th, 2010
5:04 pm
Tom, 21 loses in 6yrs does not make for a great record. USC and Oklahoma were 1 & 2 to start season and they both went undefeated, Also the same teams in most postions would have returned and then the 23 to nothing stomping at your house would have just been a laugher all the way if they had let them in. Also don’t be impolite when this a just a conversation. You sound immature wake up. Auburn does not send you and checks ha ha ha
Alphare
June 10th, 2010
5:04 pm
Steve,
Why not? I am SEC fan and I know SEC teams are good. Heck, if USC was disqualified that year and UGA played OK in the title game, UGA could win too (but Auburn was better that year so UGA could represent SEC that year).
Steve
June 10th, 2010
5:06 pm
I would be PISSED if they just handed UGA a national championship for that season. I want them to EARN it in the NC game.
pete
June 10th, 2010
5:06 pm
Hey Rammer Jammer.When did the possum farmers in Tuskeloosey get teeth?
Tom
June 10th, 2010
5:07 pm
Excuse me 53-52-8. Anyways, I saw something the other day since 2000….UGA has like 98 wins…and Auburn has 89 wins….wow….that’s a huge difference Steve…what dominance…one more win a year! Since 2000 UGA leads AU 6-4. Since 1990…UGA leads 10-9-1. Since 1980…AU leads 16-14-1. Since 1970…AU leads 21-18-2…..Pretty even Steve…
ReddJonn68
June 10th, 2010
5:07 pm
Way to go juvenal, the next BCS championship game may as well be called the ” NEVER NEVER LAND BOWL ” . This is what they want you to do talk up a mythical champ = ratings & revenue . If someone shot you would want people to stand around talking, doing nothing. Well guess what the BCS murdered college football !!!!!
Jay
June 10th, 2010
5:09 pm
Auburn and its draft, who was the linebacker out of Auburn that was the first pick and a complete flop… Did you count him?
dawgster
June 10th, 2010
5:09 pm
Tom, please tell me that you didn’t mean to say that Bobo couldn’t develop a QB, lets see Stafford, Shockley, Greene..Who are the Qb’s that Auburn developed lately…Your argument doesn’t hold water…And for Coach Richt losing it…Lets see 4 in row over Auburn….I didn’t mean to get in the middle of this augument you are having with Steve above, but give me a break on some of your comments…I hope you read some of my earlier posts as i do believe Auburn is indeed worthy of being the NC for 2004 or at least Co-Champions…
Gatorbait 17-3
June 10th, 2010
5:09 pm
Everyone, Florida, UGA, Bama and the rest of the SEC should be behind Auburn. We may
beat hell out of each other during the regular season, but when the SEC champion has a chance to be National Champions we should all pull for the SEC Champion——it make everyone in the SEC look better——-show a little class.
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
5:11 pm
“First off, the overall series is pretty much even moron.”
Wow, somebody failed math.
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
5:12 pm
“Auburn and its draft, who was the linebacker out of Auburn that was the first pick and a complete flop… Did you count him?”
Carlos Rogers is better than any defensive back that UGAY has put out in 20 years…
THE BOTTOM LINE
June 10th, 2010
5:12 pm
Auburn had a great season and went undefeated. They were not selected to play in the National Championship game.
Tom
June 10th, 2010
5:13 pm
Jay…21 losses in 6 years isn’t great as I stated, but heck we got 7 of those losses in 2008. Regardless, I said it wasnt the best, but it is one of the best records in the country. You could probably only find 10 BCS schools with better records during that span. And spare me with the USC crap…as always people dodge the point. I ask you again…if we are only going to go by what happened the year before why are we playing football? It’s okay, I don’t expect you to answer. Auburn was a whole different team in 2004. If you can’t see that, you don’t know football and certainly are not a true fan.
Alphare
June 10th, 2010
5:13 pm
For those who are on Kiffin: I don’t think the guy ever put winning games as his first priority. He knows USC will be under sanction and will be hard to dig out. It would be a whole lot easier to win in TN than in sanctioned USC.
The only reason he is in USC is money, and he is getting tons of it. So he is winning, not games, but money.
Aaron Mitchell
June 10th, 2010
5:13 pm
You bunch of moronic SEC loving hillbillys, USC did not cheat. Cheating is when you do something against the rules that gives you an unfair advantage over your opponent. Bush receiving gifts from an agent did not help him or USC gain any unfair on-field advantages. What he did was wrong, but it was not cheating. I dont think there is one SEC fan that has an IQ over 60.
Steve
June 10th, 2010
5:14 pm
And Tom, Auburn has one ONE ONE ONE national championship which was in 1957. 1957? Really? They also only had to play 10 total games to do it.
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
5:15 pm
Aaron Mitchell
Really? The next in chain of command at Apple is an Auburn grad.
“You bunch of moronic SEC loving hillbillys, USC did not cheat.”
The NCAA says differently.
Aaron Mitchell is a colossal fag.
Tide Rising
June 10th, 2010
5:15 pm
Al,
When you showed Bama’s noncon schedule this year I noticed that you left off Penn State, a team which has won 11 games 3 straight years. Also, Duke is a bcs conference member. Maybe not the toughest team in the acc of course but they do manage to win a few games here and there in the acc and play everyone tough. So really we play 2 pansies in San Jose State and Georgia State who we are playing as a favor to Bill Curry since the game will give Georgia State a lot of national exposure not to mention several hundred thousand dollars of badly needed money for their program.
Did AU get screwed in 04. Of course they did. Their noncon schedule hurt them but even with a bad noncon schedule they beat a lot of highly ranked sec teams and flat out destroyed a couple of them.
But does it really matter? Could they have beaten USC? Nope. This same batch of USC seniors had put a whupping on AU in Auburn the year before 23-0 and whipped em the year before that 28-14. Why would anyone expect the result to be any different in 04? No offense but USC would have destroyed AU had AU made it to the bcs title game. And while I think agree that AU should have gotten into the game I also think most reasonable fans know USC would have given them a beatdown.
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
5:16 pm
“They also only had to play 10 total games to do it.”
Not too smart is ya? Every team in 1957 played 10 games.
THE BOTTOM LINE
June 10th, 2010
5:16 pm
Carlos rogers couldn’t hold a candle to Champ Bailey
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
5:17 pm
“Their noncon schedule hurt them but even with a bad noncon schedule they beat a lot of highly ranked sec teams and flat out destroyed a couple of them.”
Tide, are you retarded?
2004 SOS
NCAA strength of schedule.
5. Auburn – 0.618 (opponents winning %)
11. Oklahoma – 0.607
18. USC 0.581
RUSS GATA
June 10th, 2010
5:17 pm
They,Auburn, “The N stands for nowledge”, can not accuse any body else of cheating.
Steve
June 10th, 2010
5:17 pm
Tide Rising, don’t say Duke is a “BCS School.” You should know better. That will be a 45-10 game.
Tom
June 10th, 2010
5:18 pm
dawgster…..are you smoking the pipe? Bobo let the #1 draft pick have a very mediocre career at UGA. Please tell me how Bobo made Stafford better? He never even won the SEC. He was painfully average at UGA and threw tons of interceptions, not to mentions a 58% career passing I believe. Greene and Shockley had nothing to do with Bobo….those boys were just god given talent. There is a difference. When it comes to having to make a QB better…as in Cox, Tershinsky, Stafford…Bobo blows. As far as Auburn…we have had some troubles at the QB position, but thats all about to change.
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
5:18 pm
“Carlos rogers couldn’t hold a candle to Champ Bailey”
Surprised you didn’t bring up 1980.
Kiffin pays price at USC (funny), but Carroll and Bush skate | Jeff Schultz
June 10th, 2010
5:18 pm
[...] sanctions and links to the NCAA’s report below. By the way, great comments today on both this and the Auburn blog. Thanks, [...]
Steve
June 10th, 2010
5:19 pm
“CHEAT” when did I say every team did not play 10 games? My point is that when UGA won it in 1980, they had to win 12 to do it. Don’t be sad because you don’t know your mascot. 4 in a row!
CHEAT ON TROJANS!!!!!!
June 10th, 2010
5:19 pm
“They,Auburn, “The N stands for nowledge”, can not accuse any body else of cheating.”
They don’t have to. The NCAA does it for them. LOL