A Golden Opportunity

by Volorado on Nov 12, 2006 10:58 AM EST

With losses by Auburn, Cal, and Texas, Tennessee could've moved way up in the polls with a win last night. But instead, we sit and wait to see how far we fall after a dreadful loss to the Hogs. Arkansas (Darren McFadden for Heisman!), meanwhile, proved they are for real and judging from how bad the Gators have played lately, I think it's safe to say that Arkansas will be SEC champs (They'll beat LSU in Fayettville). Now, if Arkansas wins out, I believe they should play the winner of Ohio St./Michigan for the national title.

Elsewhere, USC and ND both won and now you know the love of those two schools will skyrocket after the loses and near losses that we saw this weekend.

I don't know about any of you, but I was listening to College Gameday on ESPNRadio yesterday and heard Mel Kiper (shouldn't he be hyping up Brady Quinn or some DE from the ACC?)say that the Big East is starting to get a taste of what it's like in the SEC. He was trying to say that teams like Louisville, WVU, and Rutgers are beating each other up and not getting any cupcake games in between their tough ones. Listen, Mel, don't even begin to compare the two. They all have cupcake schedules becasuse they only play two tough games a year. I don't think any team from any conference, Big 10 included, could make it thruough an SEC schedule, plus at least one signature non-conference matchup, unscathed. It's too tough, too physical, and too demanding on the players, coaches, and everyone involved. There might not be any undefeateds, but I would rather watch an SEC game between 2 battle tested, two loss teams than a matchup of two unbeatens that gets overhyped because the teams involved have had 8 scrimmages prior to the game.

Finally, I don't know what Bowl we'll play in, but we must pound whoever we play in order to get a high preseason ranking next year. The pollsters don't normally have a lot of love for the Vols and the BCS certainly doesn't favor the SEC, so we need to build as big of a case possible for next year, when we SHOULD be primed for a run at the National Title.

There, I'm done ranting, it's time for breakfast.

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Comments

Nice

Excellent rant, Volorado...I hear ya.

Here's a few questions for all readers that should cause quite a discussion:

Should all BCS conferences be forced to play a 13th Conf. Championship Game?
Should a team be allowed to play for the Mytical National Championship without playing in/winning such a CCG?
If the SEC keeps screwing themselves (with respect to BCS bowling) by having the SECCG, do you forsee them ever doing away with it? How about modifying contracts/agreements, etc. in such a way to make it not count as an NCAA sanctioned game such that the winner/loser is not rewarded/penalized in the polls? (Not even sure if that would be possible.)

by Aerobab on Nov 13, 2006 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Answers...

Yes, there is no reason for the BCS conferences need to have a conference champ. game. Break the conferences into divisions, and play championship games. Half of the conferences already do, so the other three can follow accordingly. It only makes it fair to everyone.
No, I think you need to at least win your conference to play for the national title, but then again, OU and Nebraska obviously have fallen through the cracks on that one.
The SEC will continue to have the SECCG because of the revenue, the exposure, and the way it determines a true champion. I think if the Pac-10, Big 10 and Big East were to follow, the NCAA could have a "Championship Weekend" and just imagine the possibilities for revenue, excitement, etc. I think eventually we will have this.

I know it sounds like the main reason for keeping these games is for the money, which it is, because it is a business. But from a fan's perspective, the championship game is exciting. It is the first major goal towards going to the national championship. As college football fans, I think we've got too wrapped up in the whole BCS scheme, and we've forgotten the first major step towards a successful season is winning the division, then the conference, then, if the numbers are right (literally), we get the chance to play for a national championship.

***Rockytop Tennessee***

by Volorado on Nov 13, 2006 10:29 PM EST reply actions