The BCS has its worst nightmare on its hands — five undefeated teams. College football analysts will tell you this is what they expected: Alabama or Florida vs. Texas in the BCS title game. They will also tell you there is no debate about who the two best teams in the country are. Don’t be fooled.
Let’s take a look at some of the arguments (opinions) made by those in favor of Texas as one of the two best teams.
1. Opinion: Texas has played a more difficult schedule.
Fact: Texas has beaten two teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. TCU has also beaten two ranked teams and Cincinnati has beaten three.
2. Opinion: Texas has been ranked high all season, so they deserve to be there.
Fact: While Texas was ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP Poll, Oklahoma was ranked No. 3 and USC was No. 4. Oklahoma and USC are now a combined 15-9; neither is currently ranked. The preseason Polls are just educated guesses, not stone-cold locks.
3. Opinion: The statistics favor Texas.
Fact: This is just false. The BCS “computers” love Cincinnati, which has consistently been ranked third, behind Alabama and Florida and ahead of Texas.
4. Opinion:
Texas is a very good team and deserving of playing for a national title. But so are Cincinnati, TCU, Boise State, and others. Hmmm, if only there existed some system whereby several deserving teams could battle for supremacy. That would really make this much simpler.
Imagine playing in a league where you can win every game and not have a chance to play for a championship. It makes no sense. It goes against everything that sports is supposed to be about.
If you want to see how it’s really done, check out the Division I, Division II, or Division III playoff bracket.
Don’t be confused by the smoke and mirrors and fancy acronyms. BCS is not the division name. The NCAA’s top football division is called the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The BCS is the Bowl Championship Subdivision, a make-believe entity that exists to ensure the largest (see: “BCS”) conferences receive the vast majority of the money associated with the bowl system.
If you believe that the BCS crowns an FBS national champion, then you probably also believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Better get that milk and cookies ready.
No. 5 Cincinnati (12-0, 7-0 Big East): 45
No. 14 Pittsburgh (9-3, 5-2 Big East): 44
The game was played at Pittsburgh. The Panthers dominated the first half, leading 31-17 at the break. Freshman running back Dion Lewis had a Pitt record 47 rushing attempts for 194 yards. Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike threw three interceptions and it looked like head coach Brian Kelly was considering taking him out of the game.
Yet, with everything seemingly in Pitt’s favor, Cincy put together a game-winning touchdown drive in the final two minutes of the game. The Bearcats are now Big East champs for the second straight season.
No. 24 West Virginia (9-3, 5-2): 24
Rutgers (8-4, 3-4): 21
Since Rich Rodriguez left West Virginia for Michigan, the Mountaineers' offense has been noticeably less explosive. However, they have managed to keep winning. This victory, coupled with Pitt’s loss to Cincinnati, means that West Virginia finished second in the Big East. The Mountaineers have a 10-4 Big East record over the past two seasons.
Rutgers had a very respectable season, considering the relative youth of its offense. Expect good things from the Scarlet Knights next season.
South Florida (7-5, 3-4): 27
Connecticut (7-5, 3-4): 29
It’s about time. UConn has been losing close game all season and this one appeared to be more heartbreak for the Huskies. South Florida went ahead 27-26 with 40 seconds remaining. But UConn was able to pick up a few first downs and kick a game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired.
Had a few breaks gone UConn’s way, this could have been a great season. Their worst margin of defeat was only four points.
South Florida put up a valiant effort in the snow, but could not finish the game. After a 5-0 start, the Bulls dropped five of their final seven games of the season. This is the third consecutive year the Bulls have gone in the tank after a fast start.
What we learned:
1. The Cincinnati Bearcats are Big East champs for the second consecutive season.
2. West Virginia finishes second and continues to win games without Rich Rodriguez.
3. UConn was a few bounces away from a terrific season.
4. Syracuse and Louisville still have a way to go.
Respect Barometer:
What can you say? Zero teams ranked in the preseason AP top 25. Now, at the end of the regular season, the Big East has three teams ranked in the top 18, including No. 4 Cincinnati. The Big East has six teams playing in bowl games, and it will be very interesting to see how these teams do.
