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
PJohn
November 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
Arguing whether or not UGA got screwed in 2007 badly misses the point. That’s not the issue. The issue is lack of consistency in a system that plays favorites and is enabled by a media outlet that lacks accountability.
UGA was leap-frogged in the BCS rankings by LSU in 2007 b/c LSU won the SEC and UGA did not. That was the sole argument against UGA and it was made crystal clear by ESPN and the poll voters. It was called the “common sense” rule. Fair enough.
Fast-forward to 2011 and the “common sense” rule no longer applies. Why? There are 2 1-loss teams in position to win their conferences. Why is Alabama getting special treatment? Why isn’t ESPN pointing his out?
This is the point.
Bo Duke
November 28th, 2011
3:23 pm
Dog in NC…………we will not find out next year, Texas A&M and Mizz messed that up.BTW love those black jerseys
Gorilla Biscuit(?) facts? 13 national titles (soon to be 14) 22 SEC titles, check the books and see how UGA stacks up against.
you are second tier, deal with it DA
Gbal
November 28th, 2011
3:23 pm
Norther S. — “Why can’t we just have an 8-team playoff (6 conf champs + 2 high ranked wildcards.”
I personally dont agree. Like the 8, but not for the auto 6 champs + 2. I would be for the top 8 ranked using the current BCS. Why would anyone not want to put the top 8 ranked teams on the field if the goal is to determine the best?
Spaceman Spiff
November 28th, 2011
3:23 pm
As I have said before, NOTHING will change with the exception of a few minor ones. Why? Because too much money changes hands. Period. If I am not mistaken, one of the principal arguments was that playoffs cut into school/study/whatever time (take your pick) – in that case, how is it that this is the only sport in college athletics that does not have a playoff? And what about basketball/baseball/volleyball/gymnastics (once again, love those gymdawgs!) – since they play multiple times a week, how does that fit into the argument? I would say a playoff between the conference champions with maybe two independents included. But once again, too much money changes hands and lines someone’s pockets…
Spaceman Spiff
November 28th, 2011
3:24 pm
@ Gbal
We posted the same thoughts at the same time – the simple reason is MONEY!
phil
November 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
And yes, Mark….
One of your best jobs! Great story and way to take a harsh stand with the dunderheads on ESPBCSN….
The same type of bias is already in play against Chipper Jones and a first ballot HOF vote for him. I don’t understand it, but it’s there a dozen times a year when the subject comes up. They always ask Will he make it, the implication being that he won’t…..maddening….
Like an Auburn game this year….hahahahaha
Dawg_Mike
November 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
We can cry all we wnat to but in 2007 we could not score a TD against SC and didnt even get off the bus in Knoxville until it was too late. Yes we finished strong but those 2 games hurt and one of them kept us from playing LSU in the dome.
Flash forward to this year and we were not ready for Boise and gave the game to SC. Take care of business against one of them and it might be a different tune now.
WDE
November 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
But they are Bama that means sooo much…well maybe not…I did get sick listening to the talking heads talk about the complete domination Bama put on Auburn. Bama won but UGA won by more and we quit throwing the ball in the 3rd quarter. LSU will school the tide if they have a rematch..hell Bama couldn’t beat them at home ! @I Believe if you think whining wont help a team get to the title game just keep your eyes on Bama the next two weeks….there are no greater whiners on the planet outside the European Soccer League..
robodawg
November 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
Of course 2007 was the year of the whole team celebration penalty in Jacksonville. People with no sense of humor were really ticked about that one.
Dawg_Mike
November 28th, 2011
3:26 pm
Death to the BCS.
The farce being foisted upon all of us this year will actually help facilitate a change.
Strange Murphy
November 28th, 2011
3:26 pm
Bama fans are stupid.
phil
November 28th, 2011
3:27 pm
PJohn
November 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
Arguing whether or not UGA got screwed in 2007 badly misses the point. That’s not the issue. The issue is lack of consistency in a system that plays favorites and is enabled by a media outlet that lacks accountability.
UGA was leap-frogged in the BCS rankings by LSU in 2007 b/c LSU won the SEC and UGA did not. That was the sole argument against UGA and it was made crystal clear by ESPN and the poll voters. It was called the “common sense” rule. Fair enough.
Fast-forward to 2011 and the “common sense” rule no longer applies. Why? There are 2 1-loss teams in position to win their conferences. Why is Alabama getting special treatment? Why isn’t ESPN pointing his out?
This is the point.
*********************
Very, very well said…
freddy
November 28th, 2011
3:29 pm
Dawgs don’t have a prayer r hope chance against LSU..lol
phil
November 28th, 2011
3:33 pm
Freddy, I’m afraid you’re right….
For losing to Boise and SC, FIRE CMR!!!
steve
November 28th, 2011
3:35 pm
just go ahead and put your black jerseys on- that will obviously intimidate lsu, and it seems to have worked so well for you in the past….
robodawg
November 28th, 2011
3:36 pm
I’ll be rooting for two things to help bust the BCS (let there be controversy!):
1) A UGA shocker over LSU in the SEC championship.
2) A very impressive victory by Oklahoma State.
Then the BCS loses its cover that LSU and Bama look like the two best teams. And then, if Oklahoma St does get any consideration, then who do you invite from the SEC, Bama or LSU? Do you reward Bama for NOT playing in the SEC title game?
Based on their body of work, LSU is the team with the best claim to the mythical national championship. Only way the BCS gets lucky again this year is if LSU wins out.
WDE
November 28th, 2011
3:39 pm
Hey phil and freddy you nerds need to get a room….fire your selves..
murfdawg
November 28th, 2011
3:39 pm
Can someone refresh my memory of what happened in 2004? Didn’t the SEC Champ get snubbed by the BCS?
I Believe
November 28th, 2011
3:40 pm
@PJohn
The point is that you guys think that you can magically determine the motivation of every voter who casts a ballot for the BCS poll. Guess what? You’re wrong. Oh yeah, in 2007… You guys didn’t play for an NC because you had a lousy season. You scraped by Vandy and Kentucky. You lost to a South Carolina team that finished 6-6. You got beat down by Tennessee, and that’s why you didn’t get to play for the SEC Championship, much less the National Championship. Get over it.
If you want to win championships, then win your games. It’s really just that simple.
Bobo is Not the Problem
November 28th, 2011
3:42 pm
By a landslide, the best article you have ever written.
Fleming Island Dawg
November 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
I belive. We scraped by Kentucky but LSU lost to Kentucky that year.
BiggDawgK
November 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
I have been saying this exact thing for weeks now. Obviously espn and the powers that be have had a grudge against Georgia for years now. It is an insult to any college football fan that espn can shamelessly force their opininos (based solely on who their advertising $$$$ masters tell them to champion) down everyones throats. The bcs and espn and the ncaa can and often do make decisions and opinions and judgements that totally contradict others based on the team that it effects.
Congrats mark on the best article in recent memory.
James
November 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
Refering to comment made Brian Harris at GSU The play off works for you all because ticket prices are with in reason. I mean you can follow Georgia Southern all the way to the N C Game and not spend what a ticket will cost at a major bowl. So tell who makes enough money that can afford to follow there team to NC game and pay the current ticket price for addiotional 4 games.
ole richie
November 28th, 2011
3:44 pm
“If you want to win championships, then win your games. It’s really just that simple.”
Exactly why Bama doesn’t deserve another shot at LSU
bulldog steve
November 28th, 2011
3:45 pm
LSU deserves to be in the BSC game, win or lose. They played the best schedule hands down. Even if they lose to UGA, I have no problem with them still playing in that game. If they win, then, Alabama also deserves to be in that game because their one loss is to an undefeated team. Now if LSU loses to UGA, then Alabama should drop because their “quality loss” is not as much anymore. I believe Alabama only beat one team currently ranked in the top 25. Arkansas being ranked that high is an absolute joke. They got smoked in both their games against LSU and Alabama. They beat South Carolina when they were short handed and not yet adjusted to life after Garcia and Lattimore. LSU loses, then they should play somebody other than Alabama.
Trade School FTW
November 28th, 2011
3:45 pm
Also, btw, if u fire CMR as some bloggers are saying, we WILL take him at Tech…all day long and 2x on Sunday. Go Jackets!
bulldog steve
November 28th, 2011
3:46 pm
If it is LSU and Alabama and Alabama wins, is there is tie for the BCS since they are 1-1 against each other?
5IML
November 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
Can you Dawg fans stop with the “Ghosts of Christmas Past” 2007 stuff? In case you forgot, you lost two conference games in 2007. You lost to a South Carolina team that finished 6-6 and you got woodshedded by Tennessee. You had no business in the in the BCS championship game that year!
GWJ
November 28th, 2011
3:49 pm
So true……BCS is a complete joke!
Fleming Island Dawg
November 28th, 2011
3:49 pm
51ML LSU lost 2 conference games that year to Arkansas and Kentucky…..kentucky are you kidding me????
freddy
November 28th, 2011
3:49 pm
Why WDE because we don’t cater to your redneck dawgs..u the one that needs to get a life. I’m not a nerd if u thinking GT but we know you’re a tard.
As for Phil ..I don’t known the guy.
Gbal
November 28th, 2011
3:51 pm
ESPN influence is real and a problem. Them doing these select shows on certian team and repeating them over and over (roll tide/war eagle….Connecting with Texas on a TV deal??? Do you not think that this will have some influence on the reporting…. and then influence on the voters? They control too much in this sport. Not so much any any other sport because >>>>>>>>> There is a playoff!…. In every other major sport in the country. Go there with football and TV will figure out a way to make their dough.. Rest assured.
BCS
November 28th, 2011
3:51 pm
Actually, I think the BCS is working. The two best teams are going to play each other for the national title. That’s what we want and that’s what we are going to get. Why is everybody so upset? Get over it. A playoff would totally render the regular season moot and also create “unfairness”. If Alabama beats LSU in the big game then they will be National champs. Live with it.
I Believe
November 28th, 2011
3:51 pm
These “what-ifs” are pointless anyway. LSU will destroy the Dawgs – but they’ll probably still be whining when it’s over. It’s what they do.
5IML
November 28th, 2011
3:52 pm
WDE = Worst Defense Ever
fan
November 28th, 2011
3:52 pm
Enter your comments here
PTC DAWG
November 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
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?
Nail, meet hammer.
GO DAWGS!!
Fred-D
November 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
With CMR, we always have a prayer, and prayer changes things. That being said, GOD doesn’t play favorites, he loves us all and doesn’t prefer one person over another. That being said, the Dawgs still got to go out there and take it to LSU like the Razorbacks did in the first quarter (selective amnesia required for the remaining 3 quarters).
I honestly believe this team can beat LSU. Besides Oregon (whom they had a whole summer to plan for) Alabama ( which they likely practiced for a little every week before the “Game of The Century”) They haven’t faced a team that can be dominant on both sides of the ball.
The “experts” can all be wrong. It has happened before, and it will happen again in the Dome.
Well Ah?
November 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
A loss, is a loss………..when OK State wins their conference Alabama will is home and watch!
Ha, they BCS makes new rules every year that are pushed by ESPN. Everyone wants to see a rematch….who is everyone?
PJohn
November 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
I believe:
No, that’s not the point. Try reading the column again.
This is not about UGA. It’s about the flawed BCS system and the inconsistent arguments used to support it. Alabama didn’t win it’s games and didn’t win it’s division, so why are they more deserving than a conference champion with the same number of loses? Can you answer that?
PTC
November 28th, 2011
3:54 pm
Excellent points by Bradley.
Frankly, I’ll take an EARNED on the field championship anyday.
GATA DAWGS!!
fan
November 28th, 2011
3:54 pm
ST.SIMONS— YOU HIT RIGHT ESPN CAN NOT STAND UGA.
AidDawg
November 28th, 2011
3:54 pm
Who wins the ESPN national championship????
BiggDawgK
November 28th, 2011
3:55 pm
@ I believe
Oh yeah, in 2007… You guys didn’t play for an NC because you had a lousy season.
You don’t know anything at all about college football do you? Every sports writer, tv, radio and print said Georgia was one of the 2 best times in college football that year. Despite being cheated out of a shot at bcs championship, the Dawgs still hammered an unbeaten hawaii team and finished #2.
Its so sad when all you pathetic Georgia haters let your jealousy cloud everything else.
Old Falcon Fan
November 28th, 2011
3:56 pm
Do you really think Oklahoma State is better than Alabama?
Gbal
November 28th, 2011
3:56 pm
51ml …. Fleming Island Dawg said….
51ML LSU lost 2 conference games that year to Arkansas and Kentucky…..kentucky are you kidding me????
Are you speachless ??? Comment?
The issue is THEN – ESPN says you cant play for NC w/out winning your
NC game.
NOW ESPN says Bama and possible LSU can play for the NC w/out winning your NC game.
The issue is …are…. ESPN runs this show & ESPN is inconsistent in their logic.
5IML
November 28th, 2011
3:57 pm
Fleming,
Like BAMA this year, LSU wound up in the 2007 BCS championship game because everyone else lost. Folks are upset with BAMA and the BCS when they should be upset with Okie State and Stanford for losing so badly at the tail end of the season.
In 2007, UGA (despite selective memory) had two very bad losses so we’re not comparing apples to apples.
PreyDawg
November 28th, 2011
3:57 pm
WarEagle- Nobody cares about your opinion. Reality check for you and your girlfriend 2010 BCS Chumps….you got dominated. Your team was destroyed by our team. In no single aspect was the game even remotely close. You see the key to 2010’s monniker here is…2010. That is yesterday’s news. We are all talking about THIS season. That is kind of the way it works. What have you done THIS season. And this season you were our wench. We beat you much worse than you have ever or will ever beat us. We slapped you down and made you like it. Now go back home and roll each others trailers as that is the only “celebration” you redneck lame brains can come up with. And save your money for Fairleys pending bail.
murfdawg
November 28th, 2011
3:58 pm
We are not the darlings for ESPN, because our biggest game of the year is on CBS, then the AU game will not be moved to 8pm anymore, and nobody wants to watch us play GT at noon.
I guess every other year we can play USC at night and help ESPN make more money. And by the way, ESPN doesn’t have the SECCG either.
WDE
November 28th, 2011
4:00 pm
@5IML that was not the “party line ” in 2007 it was we didn’t win our conference . That is the rub now Bama can go and they didn’t either…and the only problem I would have with Bama going and not winning their conference is if UGA beats LSU and they still get to go…..who shows as the better team the no.2 team beating the no.1 team in the regular season or the no.12 team beating the no.1 team for a championship?