Could mighty LSU wind up in a non-BCS bowl? Er … maybe
Don't worry, Leslie: Your darn strong team won't fall as far as the Chick-fil-A Bowl. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Raging consensus holds that LSU will play for the national title no matter what it does Saturday and that the Tigers’ opponent Jan. 9 will again be Alabama. But there’s a slight — slight, let me emphasize — possibility the team that has been No. 1 in every week of the BCS rankings might land in a non-BCS bowl. (And here let me thank esteemed colleague Kevin Whaley for bringing this to my attention.)
Say LSU loses to Georgia by three touchdowns. Say No. 3 Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma by three touchdowns. (By way of comparison, Georgia is No. 14 in the BCS standings to OU’s No. 10.) Say there’s a major Oklahoma State groundswell in the human polls. Say LSU slides to No. 3 in the final rankings behind Oklahoma State and Alabama, the latter of which cannot lose this weekend because it isn’t playing.
Know where LSU, the team that has been the nation’s best from September through November, would be headed? To Orlando for the non-BCS Capital One Bowl. Or to Dallas for the non-BCS Cotton Bowl.
I say again: I don’t think that will happen. Given the Tigers’ strength of schedule — three victories against opponents in the BCS top 10 — and glowing SEC profile, it’s hard to imagine them suffering a Boise State-like fate. (One loss and you’re relegated to the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl.) But if Georgia beats LSU, it goes to the BCS-affiliated Sugar Bowl as SEC champ. If Alabama stays No. 2 or ascends to No. 1, it’s in the BCS title game. And the only way a conference can send a third team to a BCS game is if two of them are playing for the national title and neither is the conference champion.
I say yet again: I don’t think that will happen. Should LSU lose, the debate would become: Who are the two best one-loss teams? At this moment, LSU would figure to have the most impressive body of one-loss work, but the voting won’t be done at this moment. Balloting — and computer-tabulating — will occur late Saturday night, and voters tend to rely most on what they saw last. And what if they just saw the Tigers lose 35-14 to a team that, according to the BCS rankings, is the SEC’s fifth-best?
Never forget that this is the BCS, where weird happens. In 2003 unbeaten and top-ranked Oklahoma lost by 28 points to Kansas State in the Big 12 championship, and somehow the Sooners stayed No. 1 in the BCS rankings. In 2007 once-beaten and top-ranked Missouri lost by 21 points to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship and didn’t even wind up in a BCS game. (But Kansas, which Missouri had beaten two weeks earlier and which finished two spots behind the Tigers in the BCS rankings, did. Georgia wasn’t the only team that got short shrift in ‘07.)
For the fourth or fifth time: When the standings are announced Sunday night, LSU and Alabama figure to be Nos. 1 and 2 (or 2 and 1) even if Georgia topples the Tigers. And that would look funny, too. A national championship game would pair a team that didn’t win its conference against one that didn’t win its division? But that’s the BCS: It’s always going to look funny. Smell funny, too.
By Mark Bradley
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595 comments Add your comment
timthebrave
November 30th, 2011
4:00 pm
SEC
East Conf. W-L Overall W-L
Georgia 7-1 10-2
South Carolina 6-2 10-2
Florida 3-5 6-6
Vanderbilt 2-6 6-6
Kentucky 2-6 5-7
Tennessee 1-7 5-7
Steve Spppppurrrrrierrrrr
November 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
Poor SC fans crying. I know. We should have done better.
LSU #1
November 30th, 2011
4:02 pm
hype this game all you want
LSU 45
GA 13
Steve Spppppurrrrrierrrrr
November 30th, 2011
4:03 pm
Boy I really screwed up that chance against Auburn last yr. in the SEC champ game.
timthebrave
November 30th, 2011
4:03 pm
South Carolina would be there if they didn’t lose to a sorry auburn team…I hope that explains how 1 division loss is better than 2 division losses….It’s funny how tech fans have a tough time with math
Anthing can happen....
November 30th, 2011
4:05 pm
but it ain’t happening this weekend. All this “what if” will be moot when LSU makes UGA their 13th victim this weekend, wins in the BCS championship game, finishes the season 14-0 and is the unanimous #1 team in the nation.
LSU #1
November 30th, 2011
4:12 pm
who do yall think plays LSU In the BCSCG? I see the voters going Ok.State if they beat the Sooners..
Anthing can happen....
November 30th, 2011
4:16 pm
until then UGA fans can fantasize that their team is on the same level as LSU.
UGA does not have a running game outside of Crowell and he has demonstrated a lack of toughness that will be on full display when a real SEC top level defense Gets After His A** (derriere).
Once LSU has UGA playing one dimensional football (passing only) UGA fans might just get their wish to see their backup QB get some playing time.
Anthing can happen....
November 30th, 2011
4:18 pm
If OK State beats OK convincingly, maybe, but right now I think it will be ALA.
Anthing can happen....
November 30th, 2011
4:22 pm
Just wait till Crowell has a real SEC defense get after his derriere. He won’t last one quarter. Once UGA is playing one dimensional football (passing only), the UGA fans just might get their wish to see their backup QB get some playing time after LSU’s pass rush gets through with Murray.
M'ville Jacket
November 30th, 2011
4:34 pm
So you don’t like the comparisons to the 2007 Season…well try this for those wanting a Playoff.
There are roughly 120 teams in the FBS division of College Football.
Have 10 Conferences of 12 teams.
Each team plays 10 games…8 Conference games, 1 Rival game and 1 non conference game.
Conference Championship
Then a 16 team playoff. 10 conference champions and 6 at-large berths.
The at large berths are comprised of 3 factors.
1-The Polls or Rankings(popularity contest)
2-Computers…Strength of Schedule, Opponents Strength of Schedule, and Strength of Victory.
3-All coaches rank the teams not in thier conference.
If you are concerned about not winning your Conference then you better have a tough Schedule against a good team. The teams you are supposed to beat you need to beat them really good. And last but not least when you have a chance to put the foot on the gas you better do it and run up the score…”Leave No Doubt”.
All NCAA Championships are won in a playoff or tournament format except Football because it is a Popularity contest.
makai
November 30th, 2011
4:37 pm
I hope UGA beats LSU to win the SEC. Then LSU plays Alabama for the Nat’l Championship. You would have 2 teams playing for the championship who couldn’t win their conference title. This may end the BCS BS and lead to a true playoff system.
Delbert D.
November 30th, 2011
4:41 pm
M’ville Jacket – We are heading in the direction of 4 16-team conferences. That simplifies things greatly, and it does not require style points.
Idiot Dawg
November 30th, 2011
4:42 pm
LSU #1, I would prefer Ok St.
Idiot Dawg
November 30th, 2011
4:43 pm
Delbert, that sounds like playoff system in the works to me. I hope so
Geaux Tigers
November 30th, 2011
4:45 pm
Georgia sucks and it will show on Saturday. They have their fans hopes up with that crap schedule they played. T I G E R S TIGERS!!!!!
Delbert D.
November 30th, 2011
4:48 pm
Even Paul Johnson said a couple of weeks ago that it appears to be what is happening. The PAC-12 initiated the talk when they floated the 16-team conference idea last year. Notre Dame is the key.
Breeus Nice (formely Christ but Tebow stole that from me)
November 30th, 2011
4:52 pm
A lot of Tiger Love in here…NICE!!!
And as usual, a lot of delusional UGA fans in here, thinking they’re special or conversation-worthy
Can’t wait for the next sacrifical lamb errrr pups, to be offered up on Saturday.
Geaux LSU Tigers!!!
Beaver Cleaver
November 30th, 2011
4:53 pm
Oky State lost AFTER Bama lost. They had their shot and blew it. No one was complaining when both were undefeated and Bama was rated higher-cause its OBVIOUS who has the better team. People want to change the rules after the fact cause they dont like the results.
ARdawg
November 30th, 2011
4:53 pm
Delbert
IF IT CONTINUES DOWN THE CURRENT PATH (opps) Notre Dame will have no choice but to hook up or get left in the dust. They don’t have the network muscle they use to
VidaliaOnion
November 30th, 2011
5:14 pm
@BeaverCleaver If the BCS matches two teams from the same division in the same conference I’ll pay twice what WalMart pays you in a month… OK State is in if they win. The polls will correct just like they did with UGA back when they fell from #2 to #4 on the last day and had to play Hawaii….
Tiger Bait
November 30th, 2011
5:25 pm
Tigers better be ready. Ive seen GA beat them more than once.
Geaux Tigers
November 30th, 2011
5:31 pm
Georgia better be ready. We aren’t those other crap teams they have beaten.
Texas Stud
November 30th, 2011
6:09 pm
I can see the Tiggers overlooking this game. This is gravy for GA. Dawgs play like there is no tomorrow in their home state. It’ll be a great game.
Russ for Permanent Mascot
November 30th, 2011
6:20 pm
Getting our shot @ #1 Baby. It will be fun. Should be a great atmosphere!
Russ for Permanent Mascot
November 30th, 2011
6:22 pm
@ Tiger Bait,
For some reason Les Miles isn’t that sharp when it comes to beating the DAWGS. why?
Bully Bully Bully
November 30th, 2011
6:23 pm
I just took a dump and it looked like a tiger. ROLL DAWGS!!
Doug
November 30th, 2011
6:24 pm
Have they changed the rules regarding BCS at large selections? As I understand the rules, there are only two teams allowed from each conference.
What happens if LSU looses, but Alabama and LSU remain 1-2 in the polls? I know Georgia would get the automatic bid, but that would give the SEC 3 teams in the bowl games? Is there an exception in this situation?
Tiger Bait
November 30th, 2011
6:27 pm
russ,
Maybe he’s got their number this weekend! I hope he does man………….We both got cool team mascots though. No hiking yer leg in the dome though saturday.
Tiger Bait
November 30th, 2011
6:30 pm
Doug,
Yes the 3 teams would all get in the BCS games. They were talking about that this morning. #1 & #2 in champ game. GA would get sugar as SEC champion.
LSU's COLORS ARE FOR GIRLS
November 30th, 2011
6:41 pm
Victory for the DAWGS in the Dome on a Crazy Sat. afternoon. 24-21 to make it 11 straight wins.
Rebel Fan
November 30th, 2011
6:50 pm
Seems to me that SEC fans should want GA to win. that way our conference has 3 teams in the big BCS games with a huge payout for our conference. Could you imagine the money?
Red&Black
November 30th, 2011
6:57 pm
That would be crazy man! Whooo Hooooo
TdawgMoney
November 30th, 2011
7:13 pm
So tell us agin, mark. ……what is the best solution?…..go to an 8 game playoff?
thomas
November 30th, 2011
7:15 pm
puppy cry babies who did yall beat only 2 teams worth anything yall played you got beat was lucky to beat ky. and as far as crowell i think hes scared to get hit and kinda chicken —- well if he plays sat. hes gonna get hit and hit hard a lot if puppies was playing bama the hitting on him might even be worse so my take is LSWHO 31 Puppies 14
LSU'S COLORS ARE FOR GIRLS
November 30th, 2011
7:19 pm
Ya’ll got lucky against Bama boy.
Geaux Tigers
November 30th, 2011
7:20 pm
Thomas,
They will find out Sattidy that they aren’t on the same level.
Idiot Dawg
November 30th, 2011
7:29 pm
Geaux, are you a tech fan
Geaux Tigers
November 30th, 2011
7:31 pm
You believe what you want to believe puppy. I’m a diehard Tiger fan. Don’t get mad because I’m stating the obvious. You aren’t on our level.
Idiot Dawg
November 30th, 2011
7:35 pm
Hard to tell sometimes. Good luck Sat nite.
TideDaddy
November 30th, 2011
7:41 pm
OKEY STATE jump Bama? Let’s see OKEY STATE loss to an UNRANKED team…BAMA loss to the #1 Team in the Nation. The logical game is rematch of BAMA/LSU…..and they say payback is a BEACH!……
They will not leave it up to the kicker next time…..ROLL TIDE!
Pierce Co Dawg
November 30th, 2011
7:44 pm
Never say never,it is setting up as an upset. Especially if LSU is looking ahead. It is hard to get up two weeks in a row after a big win SOMETIMES. Have seen it happen. On paper LSU wins,but you have to play the game. UGA has nothing to loose and all to gain . GO DAWGS!!!!
Idiot Dawg
November 30th, 2011
7:53 pm
TideDaddy, isn’t once enough for you. I know it is for me. I’m ready to see LSU kick some out of conference butt.
Fat Charlie Weiss
November 30th, 2011
7:56 pm
Dem bama fanns is stoopid.
- Greater Baton Rouge News
December 1st, 2011
5:12 pm
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