The Five Biggest Mistakes made by the BCS

Last night the selections were announced for this years BCS Bowl games, and as expected it comes with some controversy. In my opinion the only time the BCS doesn't screw it up is when you only have two undefeated teams and you cant screw it up. Now i will say that the BCS is better than what it used to be, however that doesn't mean the BCS is fool-proof. Many people want a playoff system, even it is just a plus one. For those who do want a playoff, don't hold your breath its not going to happen anytime soon. So after last night it got me thinking of some of the most boneheaded decisions made by the BCS. I will only list five but I'm sure i could definitely list more.

# 5: BCS chooses to see 'Game of the Century Part 2' over Oklahoma State
What better way to start then last night. Also its hard to rank this any higher because we really don't know how it will work out. Comparing the two teams schedules i have to say Oklahoma State had the tougher road to the BCS. The Cowboys won at Texas A&M, at Texas, they destroyed a pretty good Baylor team and embarrassed their in state rival Oklahoma. The only thing Alabama has over Oklahoma State is Bama's loss is better. Bama lost to the best team in the country while OKSt lost to Iowa State. Again hard to tell how big a mistake this is but as a fan id rather see OKSt-LSU than Bama-LSU.

# 4: Florida State gets nod over in state rival Miami in the BCS Title Game

In the early 2000s the Hurricanes had a mini dynasty going and this could have been the first step in that dynasty. Miami went 11-1, their only stumble, to the eventual Rose Bowl champs Washington Huskies on the road by five points. As for the Noles they also lost only once in the regular season, to the Hurricanes. FSU did end the season with an impressive win over Florida. When the season ended Miami was ranked # 2 in the AP and Coaches poll above Florida State, but in the BCS Standings FSU was # 2. In the bowl games Miami beat Florida by 17, and FSU mustered just 2 points in a loss to Oklahoma.

# 3: USC and LSU Share the National Championship

The one thing you could say about the BCS was there was always one champion. Well after the 2003 season that changed. USC stumbled early in the season but then righted the ship to finish 11-1 in the regular season. Now LSU was not the problem in this equation, its the Sooners. Oklahoma had an impressive regular season and they deserved to be in the conversation. Then the Big 12 Championship game happened. After all the domination the Sooners were crushed by Kansas State 35-7. So common sense would say they were done right? Well not only did Oklahoma get into the title game the BCS had them number 1, really??? Needless to say Oklahoma lost to LSU and USC beat Michigan leading to the first and only shared National Title under the BCS System.

# 2: Auburn runs the table in the SEC, doesn't get title shot

The SEC is the best conference in football, and has been for a long time. So when a team goes undefeated in that conference automatic championship game appearance right? Although this might not at first glance seem so bad. The two teams that played for the championship were also undefeated. Auburn did however beat four Top 25 teams, and three of those were top 10. The thing that made this more egregious is what happened in the BCS Title Game. USC obliterated Oklahoma 55-19. Auburn had a really good team and them against USC would have been an interesting match up.

# 1: Nebraska sneaks into the Title Game

The Cornhuskers were rolling back in 2001, they passed their only real challenge in beating second ranked Oklahoma by 10 points. Nebraska seemed to be heading into a championship showdown with Miami. In the season finale against rival Colorado the Cornhuskers were completely humiliated. Colorado ran all over Nebraska beating them 62-36, yea not a misprint 62-36. Nebraska did not even play in the Big 12 Title game, but somehow they were # 2 in the BCS and played Miami in the Rose Bowl (sound familiar). Miami won easily 37-14. Oregon, the team people wanted to see play Miami, also won easily. They beat the team Nebraska gave up 62 points to a month earlier. Nebraska did not belong in the Title game and the final score strongly indicated that.

The BCS is crap nothing else to say about it, and until they get a playoff system installed there will always be controversy. How college football doesn't determine its champion on the field of play is and will always be mind boggling. Unfortunately its not only the schools that miss out on the championship experience, it also deprives the fans of the best possible game.

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