Official BCS-CG Bulletin Board Thread

[osubuckeyes2731]

Honestly, the talent level of that OSU team is much higher than many of the 10 champions. We put crazy talent in the NFL from that year. More talent than a lot of those teams.

[TheIronColonel]

For what it's worth, last year's LSU team got dinged for the same reason: winning too many close games and losing a couple they might have won. That list seems to favor dominant teams that won most of their games by high double digit figures. Of course, the 2006 Florida team pokes a hole in my theory, but it is what it is. It doesn't really matter what people think of how you rank as a champion; you're still the champ.

[Buckeneye]

Originally Posted by TheIronColonel

the 2006 Florida team pokes a hole in my theory,

Not quite. I'm sure they'd have been ranked lower if it wasn't so bad on 1/8/07

[Nutriaitch]

Originally Posted by TheIronColonel

For what it's worth, last year's LSU team got dinged for the same reason: winning too many close games and losing a couple they might have won.

that, and losing more games than any other team on the list.

[Fungo Squiggly]

Originally Posted by Nutriaitch

that, and losing more games than any other team on the list.

But only in OT, so those shouldn't really count as losses.

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - Big Ten has benefited most under BCS system in past decade - College Football

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Big Ten has benefited most under BCS system in past decade

If the BCS holds a 10-year anniversary celebration, the Big Ten Conference likely would be first in line for cake.

The league wouldn't leave any crumbs on its plate, either.

Arguably no conference has benefited more from the BCS than the Big Ten, which has sent the most teams (17) to BCS bowls and, for the most part, maintained its traditional bond with the Rose Bowl. Despite owning the fourth-best record (8-9) in BCS games out of the six power conferences, the Big Ten has sent two teams to BCS bowls in seven of the 10 seasons, including each of the past three.

So don't expect the Big Ten to be picketing for a playoff system anytime soon.

Contd...

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - 2001 Hurricanes cream of BCS champions crop - College Football

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

2001 Hurricanes cream of BCS champions crop

During the past 10 years, the BCS hasn't always produced the national championship game college football fans wanted to see. But usually it has produced the best national championship team. Seven of the past 10 national champions finished the season unbeaten, and many are considered among the best teams in college football history.


So ranking the 10 BCS champions isn't an easy task, but here goes:

Contd...

9. 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes (14-0, 8-0 Big Ten)
The season: The Buckeyes' unbeaten campaign was defined by nail-biters and lots of anxiety. Ohio State won its first three games convincingly, including a 25-7 win over No. 10 Washington State. On Sept. 21, Ohio State played Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium, its first road game in its home state since 1916. The Buckeyes trailed 19-14 in the third quarter until quarterback Craig Krenzel scrambled for a touchdown. The Bearcats still had a chance to win, but receivers dropped two potential touchdowns in the final minute of Ohio State's 23-19 victory. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 4 when they won at Wisconsin 19-14, beat No. 18 Penn State 13-7 and No. 23 Minnesota 34-3. Ohio State narrowly beat Purdue 10-6 on the road and needed overtime to beat Illinois, 23-16. The Buckeyes beat rival Michigan 14-9 in the regular-season finale to cap their first 12-0 regular season.
Signature moment: On Nov. 9, the No. 3 Buckeyes trailed Purdue 6-3 late in the fourth quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. On third-and-14, Krenzel threw a 12-yard pass to tight end Ben Hartsock. On fourth-and-1 from the Purdue 37, coach Jim Tressel opted to throw the ball instead of running for a first down. Krenzel threw deep for receiver Michael Jenkins, who caught the ball at the goal line and scored. Ohio State held on for a 10-6 victory.
The championship game: The Buckeyes did the unimaginable in the Fiesta Bowl, stunning No. 1 Miami 31-24 in double overtime. It looked like the Hurricanes had the game won in the first overtime after Glenn Sharpe broke up a pass to Chris Gamble in the end zone. But field judge Terry Porter penalized Sharpe for pass interference, giving the Buckeyes new life. Krenzel scored three plays later on a 1-yard run, forcing a second overtime. The Buckeyes took a 31-24 lead on Maurice Clarett's 5-yard run to start the second overtime. Miami had a first-and-goal at Ohio State's 2, but the Hurricanes were stuffed on three consecutive runs, and Ken Dorsey's fourth-down pass was incomplete.
The stars: Clarett became the first freshman since Georgia's Herschel Walker in 1980 to lead a national championship team in rushing. Clarett finished the 2002 season with 1,237 yards and 16 touchdowns. Strong safety Mike Doss was a two-time All-American and Gamble was a two-way player at cornerback and receiver. Linebacker Matt Wilhelm finished the season with a career-high 122 tackles.
Why they're No. 9: It's hard to believe a team that nearly lost to 4-5 Purdue and needed overtime to win at Illinois could beat one of the greatest teams in college football history. But that's exactly what Ohio State did when it prevented Miami from winning its second consecutive national title. It wasn't Ohio State's greatest team and it didn't overwhelm many opponents, but the Buckeyes finished unbeaten and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history.