For its latest trick, the BCS renders the SEC title game moot
"Is this the year you have to win your conference or the year you don't?" (AP photo)
Q: When is a conference championship really just a exhibition game?
A: When the BCS “system,” whatever that happens to be in a given year, gets its maladroit hands on it.
LSU faces Georgia for the SEC title Saturday at the Georgia Dome. If LSU wins, it will play for the BCS title. If LSU loses, it figures to play for the BCS title anyway.
This is college football, where we’re told Every Game Counts. This year another big fat asterisk gets attached: Every game counts except the SEC championship, which lately has counted the most. And that’s not the worst part.
On Sunday I was speaking with Falcons center Todd McClure, who has a figurative dog in this fight. (He played at LSU.) When I mentioned that I’d rather be Alabama, which is guaranteed not to lose another game before the final BCS standings are announced, than the Tigers, he said: “Do you think that’s fair?”
No, I don’t think it’s fair. The BCS is never fair. Occasionally there comes a year in which the outcry is minimal, and invariably some talking head will say, “The BCS worked this time.” Reality check: The BCS never works. The best the BCS ever can hope is to get lucky.
Case study in inconsistency: In 2007 Georgia was ranked No. 4 in the next-to-last BCS standings. The teams ranked first and second — Missouri and West Virginia — lost on the regular season’s final weekend. Georgia didn’t play. It finished atop the SEC East but was shaded by Tennessee on a tiebreaker. LSU, which had lost its final regular-season game to Arkansas, beat the Vols for the SEC title, and the Tigers got to play for the BCS title.
LSU moved from No. 7 to No. 2. Georgia didn’t play a game and slid to No. 5. Why? Because LSU coach Les Miles kept making the point that his team had “won its conference” and because the many talking heads on ESPN took up the cry. (As we know, what’s said on ESPN has an outsize effect on college football, the only sport in which opinions matter.)
Some of the same voices who’d lobbied for an Ohio State-Michigan rematch in the 2006 BCS title game dismissed Georgia a year later because It Hadn’t Won Its Conference. Never mind that winning your conference isn’t a criterion for BCS title inclusion. Never mind that Michigan hadn’t won the Big Ten the year before. This just seemed like the thing to say at that moment in time, and by golly those ESPN chatterers kept saying it until it became reality.
Georgia wasn’t passed just by LSU but also by Oklahoma and Virginia Tech; see, the Sooners and Hokies had won their conferences. After that season, the BCS considered making a conference title a prerequisite for a berth in the BCS title game but decided against it, which is a good thing if you’re Alabama but another pie in the face if you’re a fan of consistent thought.
If you’re a BCS hater — and who isn’t? — you have to root for Georgia to beat LSU and render this ongoing farce even more farcical. Picture the incongruity: The Bulldogs hoist the SEC championship trophy on Saturday night and trot off to the Sugar Bowl to play this year’s version of Hawaii, and 24 hours later not one but two SEC non-champions get invited to the game that’s supposed to reveal the nation’s best team.
And now you’re asking: Don’t LSU and Alabama look like the nation’s top two teams? LSU has been the absolute best team from start to finish, but the Tigers still have a game to play. The Tide lost its biggest game on its home field and has beaten two teams ranked in the BCS Top 25. If Oklahoma State, which is ranked No. 3 to Alabama’s No. 2, beats Oklahoma on Saturday, the Cowboys will have beaten five Top 25 teams and will be the Big 12 champ. Should Alabama get that nod just because it plays in the almighty SEC and is, you know, Alabama?
The problem with the BCS is that it can tweak its “system” until the cows come home and never be prepared for the vagaries of a given season. And with conferences expanding to elephantine size and schedules growing more imbalanced, this will only get worse. Four years ago Georgia was penalized for not playing in the SEC title game; this time Alabama could be handed a de facto semifinal bye.
Do I think the BCS is fair? Yes indeed. A fairly Big Crock of Sludge.
By Mark Bradley
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810 comments Add your comment
LakeDawg
November 28th, 2011
6:48 pm
I’m with you GeorgiaBoner. Couldn’t give damn about the SEC.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
6:48 pm
Tom
Supposedly there is an except to the BCS rule if any conference has both the #1 and #2 teams, they may also include a third
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
6:48 pm
I’ve been being sarcastic AR. I’ll take a weak SEC schedule over other conference schedules. For instance, beating the glue out of AU this year worse than Bama did. That was pretty sweet.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
6:50 pm
Kelly
There wasn’t a one of these @zzclowns here spouting that crapola during the last 4-5 years while UGA was playing the most difficult schedule in the country
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
6:51 pm
Of course not. But those rules that say that the schedule rotates, that’s all UGA’s fault, riiiight?
Whatever.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
6:52 pm
Kelly,
I know you were, as was I
Just a lame attempt to point out the obvious to some of the more simpletons on the boards and I failed miserably.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
6:52 pm
AR: All I can say is that it must thoroughly suck to lose to such a shabby program like UGA.
phil
November 28th, 2011
6:53 pm
does anyone think that if Bama and LSU were on our schedule this year that we would be in the Dome this year?
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
6:54 pm
Phil: Highly doubtful. Both of those teams are fantastic. Their fans, on the other hand…
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
6:55 pm
It is all Georgia’s fault that the Mississippi schools eat the high hard one, that Urbane Cryer had a chest pain and left the Gators,. Go ahead, blame Georgia that Cam was reaching puberty and Kiffin leaving TN in a lurch. Blame Georgia. The things we do for weak schedules amazes even me
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
6:57 pm
Phil
Depends on when they are on the schedule. Unlikely we would have as we would have probably played them early and suffered defeat. Playing them now? Maybe not so much
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
6:57 pm
AR: Those events, those “coincidences,” were predetermined by the evil UGA scheduling geniuses living 23 miles beneath Skull Island.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
7:01 pm
This year being the exception but Bama always has Arkansas early. Arkansas like Georgia often improves as the year progresses. Then they get LSU late in the season and gives LSU fits (usually) not so much this year.
Bama is a thorn in the side of AR and AR is one usually to LSU. Timing is everything for some teams.
If we played Boise now, likely a 2 TD Georgia win
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
7:01 pm
AR: How do you see Saturday’s game?
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 28th, 2011
7:02 pm
“up until they had the laptop thief last year, hadn’t won a NC in over 50 years!”
Poor whittle baby. So upset that her dawgies haven’t won squat since Reagan was in office. Hey, maybe you can buy Crowell a Trans Am like Herschel got when he played for UGA back in 80.
BTW, AU has a crystal trophy. What does UGA have? Bail money.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
7:03 pm
Kelly
I’ve heard of people who have heard of those people. We also attack the financial sector. We pay everyone off that stands in the way of our weak schedule goals
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 28th, 2011
7:04 pm
“I’ll take a weak SEC schedule over other conference schedules.”
Well, that’s the ONLY way UGA makes it to the dome. That and UF having a down year.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
7:04 pm
2010, if someone hit you with a blunt object it would be redundant.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 28th, 2011
7:05 pm
“if someone hit you with a blunt object it would be redundant.”
Nice comeback, Gump.
Steve
November 28th, 2011
7:05 pm
You know, I would sya OkSt has a legitimate claim .. but the reality is the Big 12 should not have as many ranked teams as it does. KSU and Texas would get beaten easily by at least 5 SEC teams and probably Auburn and maybe Florida. Baylor is a one trick pony .. though he is a heckuva trick. Missouri will likely get beaten by Southern Miss (who should be in the SEC) this weekend.
Quite frankly, it’s an absolute joke that the computers are throwing all this love on the Big 12 despite them playing a horribly weak OOC slate. Then again, the Big Ten and Big East also played thoroughly craptacular OOC slates this year as well. The Pac10, ACC, and SEC all at least scheduled a few OOC games against ranked BCS conference opponents (some being yearly rivalries, but they still count).
No, OSU doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near the BCS title. They lost to an unranked opponent who might not even finish the season with an above .500 record. Alabama actually played 5 teams that were ranked at the time of the game. It’s partially due to Alabama’s utter annihilation of some of those teams that they fell out of the polls.
Let’s face it .. if you want to put the two best teams in the game right now it would have to be two SEC teams. It really won’t matter anyway, because OU will likely beat OSU by 3 td’s this weekend .. and OU is overrated as well.
GATA
November 28th, 2011
7:06 pm
2010 BCS CHUMPS – 45-7, Deal with it.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 28th, 2011
7:06 pm
Kelly
It’s not that I hate UGA, it’s the idiot fans like you and phil that give UGA a bad name.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 28th, 2011
7:07 pm
“45-7, Deal with it.”
I did.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
7:08 pm
Kelly,
Saturdays game I think will surprise most. I wish I could but, I just can’t predict a Georgia victory. LSU is just too solid on both sides of the ball. We have depth in the D but, I don’t know if we have enough. LSUs #2-3 guys are as good as the #1s.
We could certainly pull the upset but more than usual it will rely on Murray’s ability. If he is on and doesn’t easily rattle, we beat LSU. The difference make and game changer is Murray. Also, expect points. LSU won’t stop UGAs offense. If the over/under is more than 30, take that bet.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
7:10 pm
2010, when you get finished with your grad level “Famous Practitioners Of Bestiality: A Practical Guide For Auburn Fans,” maybe you’ll make more sense typing with two hands as opposed to that one you’re using right now. 45-7. Doesn’t sound like you’ve gotten over that much to me. Whatsa’ matter baby pig lover, can’t stand being shown up by a girl?
RGP
November 28th, 2011
7:10 pm
Great article with lots of proof of how the BCS system doesn’t work. Why can’t college have playoffs like pro football does? Even high school football has playoffs for that matter.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
7:12 pm
That sounds about how I have it, AR. A few weeks back I thought UGA might be lucky to keep it close for a half. I think they can stay in longer, but you’re right, LSU is very deep and stay fresh. If UGA is tuned up and psyched the way they were against a flailing, inferior AU team, they should hang around for 3 quarters. Upset not likely, but always possible.
Georgia fans are always crying foul
November 28th, 2011
7:13 pm
When things don’t go their way.
fla dawg
November 28th, 2011
7:13 pm
all of you people who are saying it should be this and it should be that are forgetting one thing…. the BCS has rules and regulations and that is that. the system is not designed to give the public the game that the public wants to see. it is designed to match up the two top ranked teams based on a combination of human and computer rankings. being a conference champion has nothing to fo with anything besides where the team is ranked that you beat or lise to in the conference championship game. also, there is no rule in the BCS system that says you can not have three teams from the same conference in BCS games.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
7:14 pm
LSU wears defenses down. Big strong guys upfront and bruising TBs. Murray will have to pick apart that suspect secondary and our receivers will have to take some killer hits and hold on to the ball. Unlikely we hurt or keep them honest with our running game. We can beat LSU, we have the ability and the talent. Are we up for it or ready for it is probably the bigger looming question
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
7:15 pm
Right…and use their aggression against them.
Georgia fans eats idiots sandwiches
November 28th, 2011
7:16 pm
they really do.
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
7:16 pm
On your last sentence AR – That’s where Richt has been so suspect in years past. Preparing his teams for the big games.
Michael Ruffin
November 28th, 2011
7:16 pm
Mr. Bradley, you have spoken the truth. Thank you!
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
7:16 pm
Kelly
It is certainly the type games and scenarios where upsets do take place. I think if anything LSU is already looking past us a bit. They pretty well know they are in the NCG. The Dawgs could catch them napping
BULLDAWG BILL
November 28th, 2011
7:17 pm
BCS IS A BAD JOKE!!!
THERE IS NO REAL GOOD REASON NOT TO HAVE A PLAY-OFF OF SOME SORT FOR THE TOP TIER TEAMS.
I DISLIKE THE BCS MORE AND MORE EACH YEAR.
TXDawg
November 28th, 2011
7:18 pm
Phil,
I agree with ARDawg, it would depend on when in the season they were scheduled. UGA gets their shot at LSU this weekend so we will see how good we are. I do think that UGA would have treated Ark the same way Bama did this past weekend, they are just not that good.
BurytheBone
November 28th, 2011
7:18 pm
Nero fiddles while Rome burns to the ground. BCS …….what a joke
ARdawg
November 28th, 2011
7:19 pm
Kelly
Oh gawd ain’t it the truth. Many years back Richt met the challenge in big games. I hope he has it in him but it’s been suspect for a long time now. He definitely “can”, if he will is to be determined
Kelly
November 28th, 2011
7:22 pm
AR: They could do that. LSU is explosive enough across all phases of the game to come back if they’re behind quickly. They show up to play and, in those few games where they were caught off guard, rebounded pretty well (save for the Bama game). I’m really happy for the players and think they’ve shown a lot of character not throwing in the towel after a disappointing start of the season. So who knows…they dohave the talent to win this game, but they have to put together a complete, 4 quarter effort. Go Dawgs!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 28th, 2011
7:22 pm
ARdawg,
LSU does wear you down. See WV game earlier this yr – close for 3 quarters and then LSU KO return for TD, LSU D forces TO and game over.
TXDawg
November 28th, 2011
7:23 pm
@ fla Dawg
I think all most of us are saying is that the same rules and thought processes as to how the #1 and #2 teams are determined should be consistant from year to year. It is appearant that what is being described now as the process did not stand true in 07.
Spike
November 28th, 2011
7:23 pm
Best cloumn you have ever written.
Spike
November 28th, 2011
7:24 pm
And Herbstreit sucks.
GATA
November 28th, 2011
7:25 pm
Let’s see… UGA gets bashed for a weak schedule, but Bama gets a pass on theirs. With SIX common opponents between UGA and Bama, both went 6-0, with the Dawgs beating Bama’s in-state rival by a wider margin. Bama had ONE quality win over Ark. and beat a mediocre State Penn.
GeorgiaBoner
November 28th, 2011
7:25 pm
Well, ARdawg, get the word out!
See if all these SEC Homers out there will pull for Georgia over LSU. That way the SEC gets an unprecedented three teams in the BCS. Even the LSU fans should pull for Georgia, since they will be going to the title game anyway.
GeorgiaBoner
November 28th, 2011
7:27 pm
Dunno, PSU was having a good year until the teen-rape stories hit the presses.
yearofthedawg
November 28th, 2011
7:29 pm
Well said, Mark. I was shocked at the campaigning ESPN did in 2007. And not just because I am a Georgia fan… I just couldn’t believe they were campaigning on the air the night before the election.
I argued for Florida to play Ohio State instead of a Michigan rematch several years ago, too. If the regular season is special, then Bama shouldn’t get a mulligan.
GATA
November 28th, 2011
7:30 pm
My point is everyone likes to put Bama right there with LSU, who has legit strength of schedule. I’m not saying Bama is not a good team, but they don’t get the same schedule scrutiny as UGA. And look at who Penn State has beaten – nothing to boast about.
J-Dawg
November 28th, 2011
7:34 pm
The BCS is garbage, BUT all of you folks crying about how the national championship game should never be a rematch need to remember that the EXACT same thing could easily happen if we had a playoff. Granted the two teams would have EARNED it in that case but we could have a rematch none the less. In the case of the 2011 season, there is probably a great chance that the two teams in the game would be LSU/Bama. So, what’s most important? That we get the two best teams playing head to head for all of the marbles? My humble opinion is that is exactly what we will get with a LSU/Bama matchup.