Why Bama would be better off NOT playing for the SEC title
"Best of luck against Arkansas. Seriously!" (AP photo)
As we discussed in this space last week, Alabama might not play for the conference title even if Arkansas beats LSU on Friday. For Alabama to win the tiebreaker and qualify for the SEC championship game, No. 3 Arkansas would have to pass No. 1 LSU in the BCS standings, and there’s no guarantee the Hogs will do that.
And if I’m Alabama, I’m thinking I’d just as soon not play for the SEC title. If I’m the Tide, I’ve already got what I need.
Assuming Alabama beats Auburn on Saturday, the Tide would surely be sitting No. 2 in the BCS rankings with one week to go. But the team that represents the West in the SEC championship game would have to face Georgia, which hasn’t lost since Sept. 10, and would have to do it in the Georgia Dome. If you’re all but assured of a berth in the BCS title game, why risk losing?
Yes, we’ve come 180 degrees since 2007, when Georgia led LSU in the next-to-last BCS standings but was passed by the Tigers at the wire. LSU beat Tennessee in the SEC championship game while the Bulldogs sat in Athens and watched, and immediately the ESPN-led cry went up: “You can’t play for the BCS title if you don’t even win your conference!”
Funny how almost nobody is saying that anymore. With the losses suffered by Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Oregon over the weekend, the SEC West now holds the top three spots in the BCS standings. Provided Alabama beats Auburn, it’s all but certain that SEC teams will finish 1-2 in the final rankings. And Alabama, which lost to LSU on Nov. 7, sits in the best spot of the three.
Arkansas probably can’t get to the SEC championship game no matter what it does. LSU could lose to Arkansas and still play for the SEC title, and a lot of numbers-crunchers think the Tigers could lose to Georgia — but not to both Arkansas and Georgia — and drop no lower than No. 2. But if Alabama beats Auburn it could be locked in at No. 2 without another game to play and that, all things considered, would have to be Position A.
Let’s say Arkansas beats LSU and passes the Tigers in the BCS rankings. Let’s say Alabama beats Auburn and moves to No. 1. Now let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that Georgia upsets Alabama in our fair city. That would leave Alabama with two losses and LSU and Arkansas with only one, and the all-SEC BCS title game would surely be staged without the Tide. (Can’t imagine a one-loss Oklahoma State or Virginia Tech nosing ahead of a one-loss LSU or a one-loss Arkansas that just beat LSU.)
Back in 2007, Georgia was blocked from the BCS title game because it didn’t play for its conference championship. For Alabama in 2011, playing for the conference championship wouldn’t seem essential — and it might even be injurious to the Tide’s health. Weird season, huh?
By Mark Bradley
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500 comments Add your comment
McDawg
November 21st, 2011
1:51 pm
i don’t know about that-one of the reasons i think the SEC has dominated BCS championship games is because of the the title game -other teams i.e. Big Ten had almost 6 week layoffs between games and were rusty
seems kind of cheap as well
as a UGA fan-i want to play Bama for recruiting reasons although i think we match up better against LSU
DawginLex
November 21st, 2011
1:53 pm
if there is a rematch and bama wins, there will be a split national title like 2004
Don4654
November 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
If Duke loses to North Carolina in the Regular season in Basketball does that mean they wouldn’t be allowed to play them again in the championship game?
GTBob
November 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
I can’t wait to relive the most boring game of the century. I have red bull and coffee ready to keep me awake.
J Clay
November 21st, 2011
1:54 pm
I was disappointed that the pollsters this week kept Oklahoma and Oregon ahead of us….Oklahoma lost to Texas Tech – that should have disqualified them even without an additional loss…
Also, imagine if Dawgs had not given USC 28 points on offense and special teams….we would be #4 and control our own destiny… Oh well beat Tech is all that matters right now
TrueDAWG
November 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
its not fair! AL is a media mogul not like poor GA! How can they let tht happen! Bring on the playoff system like Pres Obama wants!
GTBob
November 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
Don4654, no, because basketball has this crazy postseason system called a playoff. Every competitive sports organization outside of college football has one also. We can only hope something so radical might be considered in the future.
reality Gator
November 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
If anybody that should not be in the Sec championship game is Georgia, SC beat everyone in the Sec east incl Georgia, they can not help that Georgia opponets on this 8 game wining streak is 12-49 in the SEC.
These puppies did not play the 123 team in the west, for the good of the conference UGA please let SC play for the Sec, before you stomped by LSU. or Akr
Delbert D.
November 21st, 2011
1:56 pm
“If you’re all but assured of a berth in the BCS title game, why risk losing?”
That very succinctly points out the need for a playoff system.
CM
November 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
I just want to say it stinks to be a Razorback fan this year. We finally have a good team and we have Alabama & LSU in our division!?! And have to play them both on the road. And if we beat the #1 team in the COUNTRY this Friday (admittedly a long shot), we still will most likely not get to play for our conference championship. And because of the BCS rules, I don’t see a way we even get a BCS bowl game.
Georgia stunk it up all the way to the Dome. The Hogs play occasionally brilliant ball and get nada. Dang.
Please note: I did not say “victims” or use the word “respect”. It’s just bad luck, but it is still seriously messing up my enjoyment of the season.
Pig sooie!
Hawk n the Ham
November 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
Hey Mark, “Heat Check” is ‘Nique’s saying. Dominique > Chuck Norris.
J Clay
November 21st, 2011
1:57 pm
Anyone see that Willie Martinez secondary this weekend? Torched
UGA, mediocrity at its best...
November 21st, 2011
1:59 pm
Georgia should forfeit its place in the SEC championship. They didn’t beat anyone to get there, lost to Boise St in what amounts to a home game and lost to SC. Barely got by Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Every year I have to listen to this crap about UGA. They are a perennial 4th or 5th place team in the SEC. Keep holding on to Herschel, because in twenty years that will still be the last time you won a national championship. Recognize what you are…mediocre and stop being delusional.
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
1:59 pm
DC: The SEC West is, I guess, a subconference.
J Clay
November 21st, 2011
1:59 pm
Actually CM, if you winFriday I think your fate will be like Bama’s that MB mentions….you win, you are #1 and in BCS title game…playing Bama if they beat Dawgs and playing LSU if Dawgs beat Bama
robodawg
November 21st, 2011
2:00 pm
At this point every year, I just root for BCS chaos and lots of controversy, and hope ESPN gets stuck the mythical championship game they deserve.
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:01 pm
Um “Reality” Gator. The schedules rotate. I didn’t hear y’all crying when you had to play Ole Miss. Wait…
Weekend Review: All-SEC BCS title game is all but a certainty now – CBSSports.com | World News
November 21st, 2011
2:01 pm
[...] for rematch in national championshipWashington Post (blog)USA Today -Los Angeles Times -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 1,285 news [...]
durtty dogg
November 21st, 2011
2:02 pm
I will say this for the last time and I hope you guys understand where Im coming from. ESPN does not like the Bulldogs. In fact, they do not like any of our teams at all. I have always wondered why is that? Then I noticed how many ex Florida people work for them and it started to register. Plus, a lot of their “experts” have felt the wrath of UGA a few times and they just dont like us. The Braves can hit a homerun in the final at bat and still be the 20th story on Sportscenter behind dog racing and the national spelling bee. But let Boston or New York or Chicago do it and its the lead in. We have to stop being so cordial and easy going to a network that does nothing but disrespect us. If you dont believe me, just watch.
timthebrave
November 21st, 2011
2:02 pm
CM, your best bet is to beat LSU and have LSU lose to UGA in the SEC championship. Then you could play AL in a rematch for mythical nc…If I was a razor back I would just be worried about LSU…They are the real deal on defense
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:04 pm
And also, Reality Gator…those puppies beat the *!#$ out of apoplectic Muschump and your over-ranked bunch of tard recruits.
J Clay
November 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
Non Dawg fans…here is the point…we are not against Bama playing for it, they are likely 2nd best team in country….what we don’t like is “rules” being changed to accommodate the media line of the year….in 07 Dawgs were clearly a top 2 team but were held out of the game…
Anyway, all that matters right now is for Dawgs to beat Tech
Mark Bradley
November 21st, 2011
2:05 pm
I don’t think it’s so much that ESPN doesn’t like Georgia. (Tennessee fans continue to believe ESPN hates Tennessee, as you know.) I think it’s that ESPN has disproportionate sway over college football, in which opinion matters. Other networks have games, but no other network offers that day-long opining.
Just as no other network gives you Lee Corso cursing.
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:06 pm
Durrty…it’s about numbers/ratings and, finally, revenue. They kowtow to those markets because of cash. Makes sense. Not always fair, but as the guy who was hammering his wife in Barfly said, “That’s just the nature of the way things woiks.”
timthebrave
November 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
I’m not going to complain that we aren’t in the national championship picture unless bama and lsu both end up with 2 losses. It’s not the same thing when comparing teams that don’t have equal number of losses even if we win the SEC…..I don’t have to like it but those are the BCS blues….PS…I hate the BCS. It’s a band aid on a broken arm
J Clay
November 21st, 2011
2:07 pm
MB – I know game predictions will flow later in the week but what would you say for Tech rushing yards against Dawgs +/- 150?
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:08 pm
UGA, mediocrity at its best: Peanuts are generally for eating, not be placed in your skull and called a brain.
Rodney "Houston" Dangerfield
November 21st, 2011
2:08 pm
Hey, how bout me in the big game. I’m the only undefeated team left in the BCS. I can’t take it no more! I don’t get no respect!
reality Gator
November 21st, 2011
2:09 pm
Kelly
Oh really 3 points with a first year coach really kicked our buts, let see after 18 out 22, and your last title was when?
timthebrave
November 21st, 2011
2:09 pm
Gbal, mark, others
Thanks for answering my question about 3 SEC teams in BCS games
BCS MAJOR JOKE
November 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
Whoops we got a problem if Uga wins!!!! WTF.All LSU fans and Alabama fans shut up you have no argument if a big if UGA wins SEC cause seems like rules are being made up as we go along,member 2007 UGA was snubbed OH S- IT says BCS,all college football championships are mythical always will be especially Alabama’s hell they claim one National title after finishing third or fourth in SEC.UGA fans can say we won 10 titles who cares
Boise Dawg
November 21st, 2011
2:12 pm
There won’t be 3 SEC teams playing in BCS bowl games. If Georgia somehow wins the SEC championship… there will not be 2 SEC teams playing for the BCS championship (just no way it can happen, unless by some miracle Georgia is one of those teams).
Assuming LSU beats Arkansas and Georgia pulls of the upset in the SEC title game, then I assume Alabama moves into #1, but who the heck knows who #2 would be… I just know it won’t be LSU or Arkansas in that situation.
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:15 pm
Gator: 18 out of 22 and you still trail the overall record. How’s that happen to such a dominant program. Eventually your brains will evolve memory. Florida is heading back irrelevance. And yes, they did kick your “buts.” ‘But it was only 3 points, ‘but’ when was your last title, ‘but’ ours is a first year coach, ‘but’ our quarterback wasn’t 100%, ‘but’ I can’t recall beyond 2 decades to remember when UF was irrelevant. Give ‘em Hell, Pell.
durtty dogg
November 21st, 2011
2:17 pm
@ Mark Bradley: I dont know man. I really think its something deeper than that. I really think its some major GA hating going on at that Network. I use to watch just to see where our teams would pop up doing the highlights. I can tell you this, you can go wash your car, cut the grass, and paint the picket fence by the time they show us. Then its like two plays and its a wrap. By the way, thanks for the articles. I enjoy them a lot.
@ Kelly: LOL! Thats true. It does boil down to money. I always say this. Winning rules over everything. So if we kick butt, we will be right where we need to be. Plus, I got Comcast anyway just so I can watch REAL sports talk on CSS.
Seriously??
November 21st, 2011
2:18 pm
hey UGA’s just be thankful you are not TN and had to play the big 3 from the west….you would be back in Memphis losing to another conf usa team on 12/31!!
East Alabama Gator
November 21st, 2011
2:18 pm
Congrats to Georgia on turning around their season and winning the SEC East. As a Gator, you are not supposed to like to see to Georgia win in anything. But whether fans like it or not, Georgia does have an argument concerning not being able to play for the championship if you don’t win your conference.
Regardless of how you look at it, Alabama had their shot, at home and lost, getting out-coached in the process.
I don’t believe this has been one of the better college football seasons. How can you gauge how good LSU and Alabama are when the SEC is very average this season? But then again, so is every other conference.
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:19 pm
Boise…don’t be surprised if this scenario happens. LSU loses the Championship game (not saying that WILL happen, just a happenstance) but only slips one spot. Alabama moves into number one and the way is cleared for the rematch. If you don’t think that can happen, just look at OK. St. who only fell 2 slots and Oklahoma who, after losing to Texas Tech and Baylor (marginally ranked), remains in the top 10.
GTJeff
November 21st, 2011
2:21 pm
Kelly, the Gators have 2 NCs in the past 5 years. UGA’s last NC was during the Carter administration.
jawga69
November 21st, 2011
2:21 pm
Any way that UGA could sneak into BCS title game if it beats GT and if it beats an undefeated LSU in SEC championship game (probably not)?
Bama in Atlanta
November 21st, 2011
2:22 pm
Mark, I was thinking the same thing last night when the BCS standings came out. Simply put, the more games you play the more chances you have of losing. So, if we can hold our #2 position after all regular season and conference championships are played then all the better.
If nothing else, this gives more fodder to condone a playoff system but I don’t see that happening at least in the next decade either. I can certainly understand the arguments that if a team does not win their respective conference championship then they should not be allowed to play for the NC; but, since there is no such rule, then I’ll be thankful for the opportunity until/if it is changed.
Not to count my elephants before they’re hatched, but we have to beat Auburn first and even though UGA beat them like a dirty rug I’ve learned never to take anything for granted. It’s been such a strange couple of weeks in BCS land that Sunday liquor sales couldn’t have come at a better time.
timthebrave
November 21st, 2011
2:22 pm
Boise Dawg, If Bama beats Auburn, LSU beats Ark and UGA beats LSU I would bet money that LSU and Bama are still 1,2 in polls
Dap01
November 21st, 2011
2:23 pm
If you are the SEC West Champ, if you aren’t the SEC Champ, how could you claim a National Championship?
If you can’t kick field goals, how can you be a NC?
If you can’t remember how many to oversign each year, how can you be NC?
PerroGrande
November 21st, 2011
2:23 pm
Actually, that is what BCS is supposed to do. Who doesn’t believe UA and LSU are the top two teams? It isn’t Bama’s fault they are in the same subdiv with LSU. If both win out, then they should play. If we win out, spanking Tech and LSU, it will really get tricky. I don’t think that is likely, but you never know. There will be a lot of other teams rooting for UGA, but Bama will be pulling for LSU. If LSU loses to Ark or UGA, Bama loses credibility.
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:24 pm
That would be 1980, yes, I remember it well. Does your perceived symbiosis with the Gator nation boost your milquetoast Foosball program? No.
timthebrave
November 21st, 2011
2:26 pm
jawga69, UGA would need a lot to happen. First we would have to beat Tech and LSU. Bama would have to lose to Auburn, Ok St would have to lose to Ok, Stanford would have to lose to ND, and VA tech lose to Virginia or Clemson to even have a shot…..In other words it’s a long shot but still possible(1%)
Yo Vince
November 21st, 2011
2:27 pm
BAMA WILL BE IN THE TITLE GAME. 1 LOSS IN O T TO #1. BAMA BEAT THEMSELF AGAINST LSU. I WAS THERE. WE LEFT 20 PTS. ON THE FIELD. WE WOULD KILL GAW GAW. WE WILL BE NATIONAL CHAMPS FOR THE 14TH TIME THIS YEAR. BE GREEN, YOU HOMERS ARE JUST BROKE.
Kelly
November 21st, 2011
2:27 pm
jawga69: Doubtful. The computers (and the powers that be) will still probably like a one-loss LSU and probably should. From the outside looking in, it really does appear as if the two best teams in the country are LSU/Bama.
Gorilla Biscuit
November 21st, 2011
2:28 pm
If Bama makes it in then Georgia fans should do more than just poison a few trees.
Mike
November 21st, 2011
2:28 pm
Mark, I agree, this year is a total mess…again. This system is designed for nothing more than lining the pockets of the perceived power programs and top conference officials. Even if LSU loses to UGA in the SEC Championship, and UGA wins out, the Dawgs have ZERO chance at the title game. In fact, OSU also has no chance even if they beat OU. Like the Dawgs, they arent a big name program.
The LSU/Bama game was a HUGE TV draw. The BCS would like nothing better to match them up again even if neither had a conference title.
Alphare
November 21st, 2011
2:29 pm
Man, compare this year’s BAMA to 07 UGA? really? can you get any dumber than that?