[grimes]

Yeah, I do agree that UM is the second best, without question. But as I said even before Saturday's game, I just think a rematch is stupid. The winner of that game is the conference champion, and remains undefeated. The national championship, in essence, has already been crowned. OSU has proven themselves worthy. To me, a rematch is pointless.

Oh well.

True, OSU are the undefeated conference champions and that will not be taken away from them, but to be national champions they have to win the BCS title game. Under the current system, as flawed as it is, the two best teams in the country are supposed to play for the title. Sure, granting Michigan a berth would diminish the value of the conference title, but that is one of the sacrifices of having a "playoff" system (think NCAA basketball). While I agree that the BCS, being a essentially a two-team playoff, isn't much of a system, if it were to ever be expanded to 4 or 8 teams, we would likely see this type of situation more often.

Since I'm not a fan of any of the teams left in the running for the title game, I just want to see the best game played, hence my bias towards a rematch. If Florida wins out, then I can see a case to be made for them, since at least their loss was to a decent opponent. I just don't get how USC are getting so much respect, they lost to Oregon State!


(For the record, I am a Notre Dame fan, but unlike many in "ND nation," I am not delusional to the point that I think the Irish should be included in the championship debate)

[grimes]

Well Esthete looks like you'll get your wish for no rematch after that savage beating USC laid on the Irish Saturday. Touchdown jesus must be spinning in his grave after that one. I'll have to suck it up and cheer for OSU in the title game cause my hatred for USC is too deep to ever consider supporting them.

[VioletlightHeron]

I agree, USC is waaaaay overrated and I think the suits who run the BCS and the networks will be disappointed with the outcome of a Ohio State and USC title matchup coz I think Ohio State's offense will murder the USC defense.

[tigerthelion]

Unless USC loses their next game, be prepared for a one sided championship game against Ohio State (like VH said). Ohio State will murder USC.

[The Horrible Esthete]

Yeah. The BCS is so ridiculous. The fact that USC gets more love than Michigan is bogus. I understand that USC had a slightly stronger schedule, and that is adequately reflected in the computer rankings (USC = .940, UM = .930) but it's the Harris Poll (USC = .9512, UM = .9172) and Coaches poll (USC = .9467, UM = .9175) that are pushing USC into the #2 slot in the overall BCS rankings. There is no freaking way that you can look at these two teams, both objectively and subjectively, and conclude that USC is a better team than Michigan. None.

USC beat ND by 20 at home, UM beat ND by 26 in South Bend. Advantage: Michigan.

USC's loss came to unranked Oregon State, who lost 4 games total, and including UCLA (6-5) and Washington State (6-6). Michigan's loss came to #1 and undefeated OSU. Advantage: Michigan.

Obviously, those casting votes are using that privilege to quash an OSU / UM rematch instead of pairing the best two teams, which is the intention of the system. That itself is a tremendous indictment of the BCS.

Though it does give my Buckeyes a more winable NC game (in my opinion), I do not think it will be a blowout. Carroll is too good, and he has too much talent. It will be slugfest, with OSU taking fewer slugs (I hope!).

[VioletlightHeron]

I think what irks me the most is the national media's unspoken assumption that because USC came so close to winning the national championship last year that they deserve a shot at the title when the strength of schedule between USC and Michigan is so close. Lest those national media chowderheads forget, USC was leading in the final minutes last year and assumed that the game was almost over, allowing Texas to kill them in the final minutes. I'm not a big fan of Michigan (Wisconsin and Penn State backer) but they played tooth and nail with Ohio State and very nearly came out the winner. I want to see that same tooth and nail battle, not a competition between a gutsy, blue collar team and a So Cal pretty boy media fantasy.

[tigerthelion]

Unless USC loses their next game, be prepared for a one sided championship game against Ohio State (like VH said). Ohio State will murder USC.

:thumb: Well, USC lost! Who will it be now? Michigan or Florida? :twisted: :twisted:

[grimes]

Florida it is...I think OSU should handle them pretty easily, but then again I didn't think Texas would beat USC last year so who knows. The USC-Mighican Rose Bowl could be quite the match up depending on which USC team shows up. If it's the one that beat Notre Dame two weeks ago then it should be a good game, if it's the one that lost to UCLA this weekend then Michigan will destroy them. As an Irish fan though I'm most interested in the Sugar Bowl. Brady Quinn has one last chance to prove he can actually win a big game, and ND is also trying to avoid setting an NCAA record with 9 straight bowl loses. :roll: