(This is Jake’s response to Gazette columnist David Ramsey’s blog about why the BCS actually did TCU a favor by putting it in the Fiesta Bowl rather than the national title game. You can see Ramsey’s entry here).
You’re right, Ramsey. You’re absolutely right.
TCU would have had no chance in the national title game against top-ranked Alabama – the team that needed a late touchdown drive to topple mighty Auburn two weeks ago and earlier in the season escaped Tennessee, 12-10, only after blocking a pair of field goals.
It’s too bad we can’t go back in time and save the New York Giants the embarrassment against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl two years ago. Or keep James Buster Douglas protected from a vicious first-round knockout by Mike Tyson. Or, more recently, relieve last year’s Utah squad of its death sentence against the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl.
The greatest thing about sports is there isn’t any such thing as a sure thing.
Would Alabama be an overwhelming favorite to beat TCU? Sure. But ‘Bama’s going to be an overwhelming favorite to beat Texas. And what how much more has Texas done to deserve a national title shot than TCU? I look at both teams’ schedules and I can’t tell you.
TCU deserves the chance to pull an upset – at least as much as Texas. Or Cincinnati. Or Boise State.
And, sure, there’s a great chance that the Tide would roll. I wouldn’t bet against it. But then at least the Horned Frogs would know where they stood. Instead of always wondering.
(Thanks for the condolences about the Skins. I knew they’d blow it. Maybe there are some sure things in sports!)
Jake,
The next team in line to play Alabama is Cincinnati, isn’t it? Since the advent of the BCS, every undefeated team has made this claim. The only way to silence it is with a playoff.
Just checked the USA Today Coach’s Poll and it seems that if Coach C had his way, Alabama and Florida would have a rematch for the National Championship. Not sure I understand this…didn’t Florida look suspect at times this year? Think you’ve got to go with Texas or TCU in the 2-spot for having run the table and for having played ranked opponents. And in Calhoun’s case, why not show some MWC love and put TCU at #2? TCU, after all, IS good. On both sides of the ball. So I go back to…what was Calhoun thinking? No doubt he really thinks that Florida is #2 but perhaps he’s also scoring points with potential recruits in SEC country…
Falcon,
Yes, Cincy was ahead of TCU in the BCS standings. But if Texas had lost, I’m wondering if the pollsters would have voted differently and TCU might have gotten the nod. Either way, it’s a shame. Seriously, how great would a playoff be? An eight-team tournament immediately would take its place with the Super Bowl as one of the most-watched sporting events in the country.
Peter K,
When he e-mailed me coach Calhoun said he thought the two best teams in the country, based on all 13 weeks of the season, were Florida and Alabama. I don’t think he had any ulterior motives – that’s just how he felt. And, to be honest, had it been Bama winning in OT or with a late field goal or something like that, I would have given a lot of thought to voting Florida No. 2.