Here we go again with another potential controversy with the BCS. Anyone who listens to Idaho Sports Talk knows I am an Ohio State Buckeye apologist. I will also say that I am tired of the SEC claiming a one loss team has earned the right to play in the BCS Championship game no matter what. The "strength of schedule" argument is fine when talking about two teams with the same record, but that's not the case this year.
When I read that SEC Commissioner Mike Slive was verbally rooting against Ohio State in the Auburn press box Saturday night, it made my disdain for the SEC even worse. Why is the Commissioner in the press box instead of some corporate suite? Doesn’t he know there is no cheering allowed? They make an announcement prior to every game.
Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs told USA Today that it would be a “disservice to the nation” if Auburn is left out of the Championship game. Their sense of entitlement is ridiculous. If Ohio State doesn’t get credit for winning 24 games in a row dating back to last season, then Auburn shouldn’t get credit for the fact the SEC has dominated the BCS championship game recently.
For years we have heard that SEC teams beat each other up during the regular season. I don’t buy that argument. In my opinion it is no different than the top teams in any conference beating each other and their lower level foes. Here are a few facts about this season.
Five of Auburn’s conference wins came against the bottom half of the SEC:
Arkansas (0-8) Tennessee (2-6) Mississippi State (3-5) Ole Miss (3-5) Texas A&M (4-4)
Alabama had 6 conference wins against the bottom half of the SEC:
Arkansas (0-8) Kentucky (0-8) Tennessee (2-6) Mississippi State (3-5) Ole Miss (3-5) Texas A&M (4-4)
Why is that so different than Florida State or Ohio State?
Florida State had 6 Conference wins against the bottom half of the ACC:
North Carolina State (0-8) Wake Forest (2-6) Maryland (3-5) Pittsburgh (3-5)
Syracuse (4-4) Boston College (4-4)
Ohio State had 6 conference wins against the bottom half of the Big 10:
Purdue (0-8) Northwestern (1-7) Illinois (1-7) Indiana (3-5) Michigan (3-5) Penn State (4-4)
This argument will become a moot point if Ohio State loses to Michigan State in the Big 10 Championship game on Saturday. My opinion is not jaded enough to think a one-loss Ohio State team would be more deserving than a one-loss SEC team. In that case Auburn should get the nod based on the fact they beat the number one team in the country. But don’t tell me Auburn is entitled to play in the championship game because they are in the SEC. That argument is getting old.
