As much as I hate to say it, no matter what happens this weekend, an Ohio State/Michigan rematch is beginning to look more and more like a logical (if not possible) reality.
I said a week or two that the BCS is a mess and after this weekend, with a number of big upsets, I couldn’t agree more. In a weekend that witnessed the loss of top ten teams, Louisville, Auburn, Texas, Cal, we find ourselves in a situation where Rutgers can be justified in claiming a BCS championship spot.
And let’s face it, Florida did not win anything with a blocked kick Saturday (although that is the only highlight you will see). South Carolina lost that game a play or two earlier when a completed pass on the 10 yrd line or so, setting up an easy field goal to win the game, was called back because of an SC player improperly set at the line.
Without question, the most painful loss was seeing Texas go down do to an inured Colt McCoy. I believe that McCoy, suffering a game ending injury as he scored on Texas’s first possession, would have lead the Longhorns to an easy win over Kansas State. I also think that Texas, with a healthy McCoy is one of the only teams worthy of facing the winner of Ohio State/Michigan in a BCS championship.
The losses add up to a BCS top twenty that is…well…it’s a little embarrassing is what it is.
Of the teams in the top 20, about half have no business there (see Wisconsin) a couple have moved ridiculously high in the polls by default (see Notre Dame/USC) and a few are much lower than they would like to be because they choked and choked big.
Let’s take a look at #9 ranked Wisconsin as an example of what I mean. While it is true that I have a certain respect for any Big 10 team, a team that wants serious national consideration needs to schedule big games outside of conference play. The Badgers have definitely taken the easy route this year. Next weekend, they end their regular season against Buffalo.
You heard me…Buffalo.
While other Big Ten teams are scheduling non conference games against the likes of Texas and Notre Dame, outside of the Big Ten, Wisconsin played Bowling Green, Western Illinois and San Diego State. Not really a schedule worthy of top ten status.
Probably the most annoying is seeing USC and ND move to #3 and #5 respectively. I was really enjoying watching ND sit at a BCS denying 9th position and already, the ND fans are beginning to gloat. A comment from a ND fan on this site boasted that they will see Ohio State in Glenn Dale in Jan.
Imagine the situation if (when) Ohio State beats Michigan and Notre Dame beats USC to win out the season. You’re going to tell Michigan, who pretty much destroyed Notre Dame, that Notre Dame should go to the BCS Championship ahead of Michigan. Personally, I hope Cal beats USC who beats Notre Dame. Maybe that would shut both of them up once and for all (and hopefully push Notre Dame to that BCS denying 9th place).
As for the Big East, a week ago, I thought that if WV, Louisville and Rutgers all beat each other, that would pretty much take care of the Big East situation. Now, however, if WV beats Rutgers, they are beating a #6 team. If Rutgers wins, they are beating a #8 team. God only knows what could happen from there. If Rutgers goes undefeated than God bless ‘em. Let them play in the BCS.
That leave the SEC. You tell me. If Arkansas beats both LSU and FL, then yeah, I guess they should have a pretty good shot. If FL beats Arkansas in the final, than should they jump over a #3 ranked USC that beats ND?
I give.
Again, I say we settle everything with the real BCS Championship which will be played this weekend in Columbus.
