BCS National Championship Game: Alabama vs LSU

The 205th game of the century is upon us and the SEC wins again. This time the powers that be at BCS headquarters, said, ‘forget it’, to the other 10 conferences. The SEC has won 5 of the last 5, they noted, and clearly, have earned the right to have two SEC teams in the National Championship Game. Further, We are directed to take no notice of the fact that not only did Alabama not win its conference (oh yeah, they could not have, since both teams are housed in the SEC) they did not even win their division (oops, that’s right, they could not have done that either, since both teams are in the same division). This selection process has given new meaning to concept of national!

I would have been more amiable to LSU getting a second shot. They were the team that traveled to Tuscaloosa and found a way to win. The Tigers did this in front of 101,821 Bama fanatics, who suspect their self worth, if not their salvation, is dependent on a Rolling Tide. Had LSU lost 9-6 in OT, I would have been much more sympathetic to the Tigers’ case for a second taste. Alabama was at home, they set the table, ordered from the menu, and invited the vast majority of guests. Simple truth is, they got beat!

If LSU loses the game on Monday night, does it not suggest a third a game would be needed to resolve the tie, the so called rubber match (Coined in 1599 from a sport called English Bowling…. nothing like American bowling… so no Disco shirt with your name on it). To be fair, the third game should be played at Tiger Stadium and then the winner could be crowned National Champion.

In a playoff setting, no one could or should whine about who earns their way to the championship game. However, in the current BCS system, the rematch ticket was simply given to the Tide. This gift is going to cause an outbreak of schizophrenia in the AP (Associated Press). The Writers Poll or AP Poll voters are not locked into voting for the winner of the BCS National Championship Game. They are free to watch the game  and then vote their perspective.

I, for one, believe LSU’s schedule was tougher then Alabama’s. Oregon’s performance in the Rose Bowl, a 45-38 win over an excellent Wisconsin team or West Virginia destruction of the ACC’s Champ, Clemson, 70-33, in the Orange Bowl, (2 BCS Bowl winners beaten by LSU)  makes that point crystal clear. In case you forgot, both Oregon (40-27) and West Virginia (47-21) were beaten soundly by LSU. Conversely, Alabama best non-conference win was against Penn State, who lost to Houston, 30-14, in the TicketCity Bowl

Even with a loss on 1/9/12, LSU has as good a case for being crowned National Champ as Alabama; they beat the Tide in Tuscaloosa and played a better regular season schedule. This LSU / Bama rematch is problematic, at best and chaotic, in the event of a Bama win. Problematic and chaotic, two good words to describe what the BCS often brings to the house.