Mr. College Football

By Tom Siffermann

December 2, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Your opening paragraph states that Hawaii beats Hawaii??? Should have been Hawaii beats Washington.

By Dennis

December 2, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

I agree with ESPN’s Sports Reporters: If Ohio State can move up, why shouldn’t Georgia?

If they don’t, the BCS is even more of a joke!

By Anthony

December 2, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

A matchup of LSU and OSU would turn the BCS truly into a farce. They will never make a rule that you have to win your conference to be in the championship game and there is a reason for that. If 1 and 2 lost, then 3 and 4 should move up, regardless of who it is. But your telling me that LSU is going to jump 4 or 5 teams, two of which might be Conference champions? Ridiculous. UGA was ranked 4, and Kansas was ranked 5 and everyone who ranked them that knew they weren’t playing for their conference titles. If that’s the case, why didn’t they vote Oklahoma higher, or VA Tech? Ridiculous.

By Dennis Koch

December 2, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Apparently, there is a clause in the BCS that, if your scenario is correct, would allow the Sugar Bowl to pick before the Rose. They would obviously take the Dawgs and the Rose would be happy with the traditional Big Ten/Pac Ten match up with the Illini - so everyone’s happy (except people in Missouri, of course)

By Dog the Gator Hunter

December 2, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Some of these bowls featuring 6-6 teams need to go. Shouldn’t a bowl team at least be a winner?

The consensus seems clear: no way the powers that be are going to allow Georgia to get into the BCS title game. Even if LSU had lost, I think the outcry would have been for Oklahoma or Va Tech to jump Georgia. It’s a shame, but still a great year for the Dawgs. The Sugar Bowl is still a sweet reward. Can’t wait for ‘08.

By Tony Barnhart

December 2, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the catch, Tom. Haven’t slept much.

TB

By Paul Amann

December 2, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Put a two loss team in over an undefeated team just because of the conference they are from? What a travesty of justice that would be. Settle it on the field and not in the back rooms. Put Hawaii in the National Championship Game because they are the only undefeated team and the only team that clearly deserves to be there.

By David

December 2, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Why wouldnt the Orange bowl want Virginia Tech. VS West Virginia (kinda a regional thing)? and the the fiesta bowl would be Oklahoma and Kansas (or hawaii)? Then that changes the sugar bowl, should the fiesta bowl take Hawaii?

By Furious...

December 2, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Let me get this right… Georgia is now going to play in a game that most of the country isn’t going to watch?!?!?! Just great.

Never in my life did I think I would be disappointed with a Sugar Bowl trip, but that is definitely how I feel, and I also think most Georgia fans were VERY excited about the opportunity to play a “tradional” power in either the Orange or Rose.

Now we play in a game we can’t “win.” If we beat Hawaii (which was fortunate to beat Washington with a QB that can’t throw the football) then all the pundits will say, “Of course they should, they are a WAC team!” However, this game will feel alot more like OU last year verses Boise State or when UGA forgot to show up in the first 20 minutes against West Virginia.

By Leonda Markee

December 2, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Please check the BCS rules on bowl selection. From the rules -

A bowl choosing a replacement team may not select any of the following:

A. A team in the NCG; B. The host team for another BCS Bowl; C. When two bowls lose host teams, then the bowl losing the number one team may not select a replacement team from the same Conference as the number two team, unless the bowl losing the number two team consents.

‘C’ is the pertinent rule. In the current case, with SEC Champion LSU likely going to the National Championship Game, the Sugar Bowl loses their host team. Therefore, the Rose Bowl can only choose Georgia if the Sugar Bowl consents.

Since the Sugar Bowl is likely to be ‘stuck’ with Hawaii, I don’t see them consenting to give up their local SEC tie-in (and the accompanying fanbase and revenue) to the Rose Bowl.

So…No, the Rose Bowl cannot choose Georgia (without the Sugar Bowl’s consent).

By syrdog

December 2, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

What a sham the Rose Bowl will be if USC plays a 3 loss Illinois team. They lost to Iowa. they have no business being in the BCS. None of this MNC mess will ever get fixed if the the Rose Bowl does not make the change they must make. The game is usually a mismatch of a fast Pac10 team vs. a slow plodding overrated Bg Ten team.Stop and think about it.This year Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois will all lose their bowl games if your projected matchups do prove true.Tony i know you watch alot of football so I know you know the Big Ten is overarted. Please say so on TV so everyone else will know.

By lester maddoxx

December 2, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

tony, yo suck as usual.

By AlphaDawg

December 2, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Who cares about the Rose Bowl. USC will be playing a hame game and Illinois will get destroyed. The Big Ten and Pac 10 need to get conference championship games or be left out of the BCS if they don’t t add the teams and the game. Who in America besides Illini want to see USC/Illinois. The BCS is a joke and I wish UGA would go to the Chick Fil-A Bowl so they would be close to home and I could go and watch them destroy Clemson

By Dennis Finch

December 2, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

If the BCS selection committee selects a two loss team to play for the national championship when Hawaii is undefeated, then everything about the system needs to be changed. Maybe a lawsuit by a conference like the WAC might be the only way to solve the problem. There are countless millions of dollars lost to conferences and teams because of the BCS fiasco.

By California Dawg

December 2, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

This California Dawg would selfishly love to see them in the Rose Bowl. The USC fans are finally reaching SEC religiously lovin’ fan status. The consistent talk on the left coast is “is the SEC the best conference in football”. Like it even needs to be discussed. Bring the Dawgs out, pound a PAC-10 team, and then they’ll finally learn; just like the Big 10 already knows.

By Dog44

December 2, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

I agree with “Furious…” This is perhaps the weakest outcome for UGA. Funny how the Sugar Bowl can be a disappointment… it’s all about your expectations.

To be honest, I won’t have a huge problem if/when LSU moves ahead of UGA… I understand that argument.

BUT… the Rose (probably) selecting Illinois is ridiculous. They consider themselves the granddaddy of the bowls, or the most prestigious one, or whatever, but with decisions like this they should be penalized by the media and fans for being irrelevant. Wake up to the 21st century and give some other teams a chance to travel out there. Match up the best teams available and the Rose will start to recover some of its tarnished reputation and be the most exciting Bowl game again.

Give me a break, Rose Bowl.

The other thing that deeply concerns me is UGA’s mental state in preparation for the Sugar Bowl (assuming they go.) If you’re one of the players who woke up this morning thinking you might get to play in the national championship, only to learn this evening that you’re going to New Orleans… but a week early… to play the weakest opponent in the BCS match-ups… I’d have a hard time staying motivated for that game. On the other hand, you know Hawaii is going to be killing themselves this month to prove to the world they belong… like OK did last year.

If Barnhart’s predictions play out, I think I would have rather had OK/WVU just win yesterday.

And one more thing… I keep thinking about the fact that if UK would just have not had that FG blocked in overtime against Tenn… we could have settled this issue with LSU on the field… and could be a virtual lock to go to the title game. Uugh. I know we should have taken care of business against SC, but it’s hard to come this close and be denied. UT better watch out next year… there are going to be some angry dawgs waiting for them in Athens.

By Randy

December 2, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

I agree that there are too many minor bowls with only average teams. Very few people care about these games and the ratings are low. Change that by having the top four teams play in these minor bowl games and the winners advancingto the title game. The only problem is that the top game would be delayed another week or two. Maybe the play in games could be early with the losers also playing on January 1. Also if the conference championship games do not determine who goes where they should be cancelled.

By Dog44

December 2, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Tony,

Could you please tell us whether the interpretation of the BCS rules that “Leonda Markee” stated is a correct interpretation?

I know that Rose should get the first replacement pick (since Ohio St. will be ranked higher than LSU), but does that other rule about “permission” apply??

By Paul Amann

December 2, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Hawaii won despite giving away 21 early points mainly because of fumbles within their only 20 yard line to start the game. They won with Colt Brennan throwing the football very well. Can’t throw the ball? How much Hawaii football have you actually watched? Don’t they have 3 wide receivers with 3,000 yards receiving? Seems like you missed a few plays somewhere in there. Colt Brennan has set passing records and may be better than most current NFL quarterbacks already.

Hawaii beat Boise State and Boise State beat Oklahoma last year. USC and Michigan State both refused to play Hawaii this year.

By ????

December 2, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

If LSU were to beat Ohio State and Hawaii were to beat Georgia, who deserves to be National Champion? A 2 loss LSU team or an undefeated Hawaii team with a win over arguably the hotest team in Football.

By mikeinla

December 2, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Guys this is so simple, lets stop all this wishing a team into the Title Game. If Georgia had done what was needed to be done and made it to the SEC Title Game like Tenn., did and beat LSU, then they would most defiantly deserve to be in New Orleans for the chance to win it all, but that’s not what happened. Its simple Ohio State vs. LSU.

By sonnyliv

December 2, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

humanitarian bowl—what is that?—charity for the nerds perhaps.

By stan smith

December 2, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

Yes, Leonda is correct. If LSU goes to the MNC, the Rose bowl gets the first at large pick. However, it cannot pick an SEC team unless the Sugar Bowl consents, since it lost its “host” team to the MNC. With Hawaii pretty much guaranteed to go to the Sugar Bowl, it is highly unlikely that the Sugar Bowl folks will consent to letting Georgia go to the Rose because Hawaii fans won’t travel well.

That means the Rose Bowl gets to pick from WVU, KU, Mizzou, ASU, BC, Clemson or Illinois. All of these teams suck or had recent embarrassing losses. So the Rose Bowl is screwed no matter what and stuck with an undesirable match up. So I guess the thinking for the Rose Bowl is this game is going be terrible no matter what, so why screw with our Big 10/Pac 10 tradition.

So send a nice thank you card to Dave Wannstedt for blowing Georgia’s Rose Bowl chance, which was rumored to happen prior to WVU’s loss.

By ward!

December 2, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

You’ve got two match-ups projected for the Music City Bowl.

So, which team is going to Nashville to play Florida State, Tony?

By jeff

December 2, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

In regards to this being “so simple”… UGA would have been in the SEC title game, had it belonged to the weaker WEST like LSU. Why should UGA be penalized because it plays in a much tougher division than LSU?

By mikeinla

December 2, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

????, Let me ask you a question, who is the Super bowl Champs, the team that has the better record at the end of the year or the team that wins the Super bowl???? DUH. That’s why the game is called the National Championship Game, and I know what your gonna say, atleast the NFL has a playoff system, I agree NCAA needs something, but as of today we have what we have.

By murfdawg

December 2, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Tony Glad you are alive and well today after the carnage from yesterday. UGA deserves a shot at playing in the NCG. They sat home on the sofa just as well as OSU did, and shouldn’t be penalized for doing so. The BCS rules are what they are, and UGA did everything they were supposed to do the last six weeks to make it to the top. OSU always looks good coming out of a conference with a terrible math deficiency. In my humble opinion, OKLA and Southern Cal are the top two teams. OSU and UGA will be the top two teams next year on the field. Hopefully, they can get it done in the polls. I enjoy your columns and the tv show. Keep up the good work as the sage voice for SOUTHERN FOOTBALL!!!!

By jeff

December 2, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

In response to this being “so simple”… If Georgia belonged to the weaker WEST (like LSU), they would have played in the SEC Title game. Why should Georgia be penalized because they belong to the toughest division (SEC EAST) in college football?

By Paul Amann

December 2, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

LSU barely beat Tennessee and Tennessee beat Vanderbilt by one whole point. Also LSU lost just last week to Arkansas. Need I go through all the teams that beat Arkansas and by how many points? LSU lost last week, their second loss. Hawaii hasn’t lost. Hawaii deserves the National Championship Game as they are undefeated. You can’t sit and demand sole rights to a National Championship game with two losses, especially when you lost in the second to last week of the season.

By Eric C.

December 2, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

mikeinla,

It would be a lot easier to do that if we felt that LSU and other 2-loss teams were more deserving. LSU blew it twice while ranked #1.

By Jeff

December 2, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

In response to this being “so simple”… If Georgia belonged to the weaker WEST (like LSU), they would have played in the SEC Title game. Why should Georgia be penalized because they belong to the toughest division (SEC EAST) in college football?

By Michael

December 2, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

The BCS, the Bowl system AND all “rankings” are an absolute farce. We all know that the teamed ranked #1 is not always the BEST team in the country. I mean, #1 Missouri was an UNDERDOG against #9 OU. Obviously, few people considered them the best team, so why were they ranked #1? Let’s face it, Hawaii, while they have not lost, is NOT the best, second best, or third best team in the country. And I would challenge ANYONE to tell me with all honesty that, if Hawaii’s schedule included the likes of UGA, Tennessee, Florida, LSU and the like (which is what an SEC team has to face EVERY year), they would have finished undefeated.

So point is, if the team that is “top ranked” is really not always the BEST team, why even have the rankings? Why follow through with the charade of “ranking” teams when more often than not, a team’s ranking is not a true reflection of where that team stands among other teams?

But no one will ever fix the system because it cannot be fixed. Only scrapped completely. And that won’t happen because the powers that be love the power they have over this multi-million dollar business…

By DolemiteMfker

December 2, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

GA versus Hawaii? I’ll put my money on Hawaii.

By War Eagle

December 2, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Auburn was 12-0, 2004, Oklahoma lost their conference title game 35-7, selected to play USC for NC over Auburn. They were embarrassed 55-20, Southern Cal. Why not UGA vs LSU, Ohio State played a very soft schedule, Youngstown State,Akron, Kent State, Minnespta(lost to North Dakota State, Northwestern..

By Paul Amann

December 2, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Washington won the first half of their game against Ohio State 7-3. Hawaii just beat Washington. Hawaii also beat Boise State who beat Oklahoma last year in a Bowl Game. Hawaii is undefeated and belongs in the National Championship Game. Sports are supposed to have a fair game played on the field. They are not a place where politics should decide everything. Please allow for a fair game here in the true nature of sports and grant Hawaii what they have earned and what they deserve a placement in the BCS National Championship Game.

By dale reynolds

December 2, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

You know that is the whole problem, the team’s that is suppose to be next in line to move up is alway’s pushed aside. The media always Im not a huge georgia fan but they are the one that will get done wrong. They should be playing Ohio state. Nothing will be perfect until we have a playoff, it works wonderful in div.2 .

By Mikey

December 2, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Hell, Why does Ohio State deserve their ranking ?

By dale reynolds

December 2, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

You know that is the whole problem, the team’s that is suppose to be next in line to move up is alway’s pushed aside. The media always Im not a huge georgia fan but they are the one that will get done wrong. They should be playing Ohio state. Nothing will be perfect until we have a playoff, it works wonderful in div.2 .

By BOB BACON

December 2, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

How can I think you have been thorough? Where is 10-2 Arizona State?

By mikeinla

December 2, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

1st Georgia, ok now they are in the toughest div the east? Umm lets see LSU beat the best the east had to offer, They did, im right I think or maybe it was Georgia that won that game. Hawaii, lovely place hope to go back someday, but whom has Hawaii played all year? How many Ranked Teams have they beaten? O my god ONE ranked team and it was # 19th. And they had to come from behind to beat a 4-9 team. They win by ONE point to Louisiana Tech, you got to be kidding me, just be thankful you play in the WAC, and take the Sugar Bowl, Georgia will be all you can handle.

By Marcel Ledbetter

December 2, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

If I’m a Oklahoma fan I’m wondering whay LSU gets in.

LSU lost last week in Baton Rouge and were not impressive yesterday. Oklahoma just beat the #1 team convicingly.

By Paul Amann

December 2, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

The question shouldn’t be who plays Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game. The question should be who plays Hawaii in the BCS National Championship Game.

By Michael

December 2, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

By the way, War Eagle, get your facts straight. In 2004, OU, USC and Auburn all finished the season undefeated going into the bowls. OU WON the Big 12 Championship game that year over Colorado 42-3.

By Chief Iliniwek

December 2, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

As a fan, and Illinois alum, I admit the better matchup is USC/Georgia. However, tradition and the Rose Bowl’s relationship with the Big Ten dictate that the committee will select Illinois. Good luck against Hawaii!

By JIM JACKSON

December 2, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PAIRINGS FOR THE MUSIC CITY BOWL UNDER “OTHER SEC…” AS COMPARED WITH “OTHER ACC…” FOR FLA STATE [MISS. ST. IN ONE, KY IN THE OTHER]. OBVIOUSLY, A MINOR ERROR, IN A MINOR BOWL.

By Dawg

December 2, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

If the Rose Bowl passes on Georgia and takes Illinois, they owe the college football world an explanation. Tradition cannot be used as an excuse this time. It has to be alot better than that. I’m sick of all these conference tie-ins where the players, coaches, and fans are forced to go to the same bowl games every year or so. If you don’t think there is a bias against southern teams, you fooling yourself.

By drave15

December 2, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Tony, my man, we have all been jitterbugging this football season. Still, you have done awesome. You are right—without planets colliding (which happened when Pitt bet WVU), UGA won’t get the big one— but then, they didn’t go get it when they had the chance, did they? At the beginning of the season, GA fans were reserving rooms in Tampa. And that was optimistic. Later on, they were wondering who the hell was UTEP, after losing to SC and UT.After that, UK controlled our destiny. Good gracious…..to be put out about not getting the big game (which no one calls the mythical national championship anymore, although it is and, apparently, will always be)and still be in the biggest bowl they have been to in a long time should be cause for celebration. And I am a GA graduate. Hey…who picked UGA to finish with eight wins this year? Be honest. Many true dawg fans would have been grateful for an eight win season. So don’t b***, dawg fans, no pun intended, about this year. You have never, and I have been a dawg fan since everybody referred to Vince Dooley as VD, seen a coaching staff like this one. These are not national contender quality atheletes across the board…this year. But whoa…..over the next two or three? Watch out. We will not have this discussion about sneaking in the back door. Hunker down. go dawgs

By gtne80

December 2, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

This year is the nightmare that should point out all of the problems with the BCS.

There are a handful of teams that all have legitimate claims as being the best team at this time of year (yes, even UGA). Funny that one of the team with the shakiest credentials, Ohio State, by virtue of their lame conference NOT having a championship game, is sitting in a catbird seat.

The real answer is to let them play it out on the FIELD.

An 8 team playoff would significantly reduce the controversy.

By Ram

December 2, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Couunt the number of teams in top 10

Big 12 - 3 SEC - 2 Big 10 - 1

BCS National title should be Big 12 Champion OU Vs LSU - SEC champion.

Big 10 is a weak conference this year and OSU Vs USC in Rose bowl is a conference arrangement reward. Voters watch last year national title Big 10 zero loss team OSU Vs Florida!

Ram

By Ed

December 2, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Either Kansas or Ohio State should play Hawaii for the National Championship. Why? Because it is impossible to sort out the “best” from all of the two-loss teams. Pitting one of the one-loss teams against the only undefeated D-1 team in the country makes sense. Yes, Hawaii’s schedule was a joke, but running the table is still impressive. The Washington team that Hawaii beat last night is no worse than the Pitt team that WVU lost to last night.

In a year of crazy upsets, Hawaii should be awarded for going undefeated and either Kansas or OSU should be awarded for only dropping one game. Trying to fairly sort out the BCS mess among LSU, Georgia, Oklahoma, USC, Va Tech, and West Virginia simply isn’t doable. And I don’t care what kind of soft schedule a team has, going 11-1 in a BCS conference is impressive and very hard to do, and OSU and Kansas pulled it off.

Of course, that’s not going to happen. So I’ll hope for a miracle that puts Georgia in the title game. Funny, there is a lot of talk about the controversy of putting a two loss team in the title game and which one should get the nod. But if you check the polls, you will find an undefeated team and two teams with only one loss, which sort of looks like a typical season. The problem is, two of those teams - Hawaii and Kansas - had no hype or high ranking coming into the season. As a result, only OSU seems to have any chance at all of playing for the title. How does this nonsense happen? The BCS is a farce.

By JJ

December 2, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

as they say… any team can win on any giving saturday during football season…

just look at the BCS ranked team, being beat by unranked opponents, week after week, all season long

BUT NO…. now it comes down to who can draw the biggest crowd for which Bowl… and $$$

Is it about not about “The Win”… if you win by a point or a touchdown… the Scorecard next season will call it a Team’s winning season…

last time I look it was about “The W”…Hawaii hasn’t lost, period…

BCS, maybe you should have taken your “voting” more serious… stayed up late a few saturdays this year and watch a Team, that wins for the sake of the “Game of Football” and the “Honor of a WIN”

BCS please justify to the NCAA Fans how a “2 loss” team deserves to play and be called “National Champions”.. when you have an Undefeated Team, with a Heisman Trophy caliber throwing QB…

BCS what a farce… how about getting back to College Football and “A WIN IS A WIN”

By Chuck Smith

December 2, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Georgia had a great year. The SEC is such a brutal road for any team, that is almost unfair. BUT….LSU played one more game and beat a team that Georgia lost to at home. There is no way that Georgia with one less win and the same amount of losses should play for the championship. Truth be known it should probably be LSU Vs. Georgia….Since that will never happen, it has to be LSU!

By Ed

December 2, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

LSU will play in the BCS title game (most likely) largely due to preseason rankings and hype. LSU only dropped 4 spots in the BCS after losing at home a week ago to a four-loss Arkansas team. The pollsters have been infatuated with them all year for some reason, probably because they routed Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl (how impressive does that win look today?)and had great talent coming back.

We need to play at least 6-7 games before the first AP and Coaches rankings come out. It’s ridiculous that a one-loss BCS conference team like Kansas and an undefeated mid major like Hawaii have absolutely no shot at the title game and a two-loss team like LSU gets not one, not two, but THREE chances to be No. 1. The system is in total chaos.

By L. Avril

December 2, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

No way Florida State gets in a bowl ahead of South Florida..

By Big SEC

December 2, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Michael,

War Eagle was right! OU did lose their conference game in 2004 and still played for the national title. They lost to Kansas State.

By Boom

December 2, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Rose Bowl: Hawaii v. USC in the battle of the “who almost lost to UW.” Too bad that won’t happen. Hawaii has a great chance against UGa. People who disagree just need to watch tape of UGa v. Troy to see why.

By stan smith

December 2, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

The Rose Bowl is not picking any team over Georgia. The Sugar Bowl has first dibs over Georgia and will exercise that right if LSU gets into the MNC. Of course this is totally stupid, but that is the BCS rules.

So Georgia will either sneak in for the MNC, or be dropped down to the Sugar Bowl. Arggh! The Rose Bowl is not even a possibility right now and has nothing to do with them picking Illinois over Georgia (which would be a joke). If WVU beat Pitt, the MNC would be OSU and WVU. The Rose Bowl told UGA that they would pick them over Illinois or any other school, but now the Rose Bowl can’t pick another SEC team without the Sugar Bowl’s consent.

So now the best ranked team that the Rose Bowl can pick is either KU or WVU. Both teams had pathetic losses to close the season and neither would be a big television draw. Based on what I saw the past two weeks, I think Illinois or about half the SEC could spank both of those teams.

If UGA doesn’t get in the MNC, both the Sugar and Rose Bowls are big losers.

By Illini

December 2, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Illinois beat the number 1 team at the time, Ohio State, convincingly at the horse shoe. They also nearly beat Mizzou in st. Louis. And as for the embarrassing Iowa loss, they actually had a touchdown and the lead taken away from them toward the end of the game on a ticky tack foul. they’re better than their record reflects and the USC-Illinois matchup is a going to be good game. I-L-L I-N-I

By SWinJAX

December 2, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

YES! JJ … I totally agree. The most common sense post. What an odd/great year it’s been for college football fans!!

By War Eagle

December 2, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Michael, sorry, I was thinking about another year before 2004, where Oklahoma did lose their conference and played for NC. My point is: why are they saying UGA did`nt win SEC and will lose BCS votes for the top 2 spots? Its either double standards or new rules have been applied.

By Jeff W.

December 2, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

As its panning out, UGA’s #4 bcs ranking means nothing to LSU’s #7 ranking. Since they didn’t play each other, let’s look at common opponents to see who has performed better. First up, Tennessee: UGA loses at Neyland, LSU wins a close game at the Georgia dome. EDGE: LSU. Next up, South Carolina: UGA loses close game. LSU: wins by double digits. EDGE: LSU. Next up, Alabama: UGA dominates them the entire game and wins a close one. LSU: After an off week, struggles to stay in the game and gets a MIRACLE to eek by in the closing minutes. EDGE: UGA. Next up, Florida: UGA dominates them, winning by double digits. LSU: Struggles to keep the game close and converts two fourth down conversions in closing minutes to eek by. EDGE: UGA. Next, Auburn: UGA dominates them winning by double digits. LSU: biggest miracle of them all, getting long touchdown as time expires. EDGE: UGA. Next up, Ole Miss: moot point as both teams roll. Last up, Kentucky. UGA: wins by double digits. LSU: overtime loss. EDGE: UGA. Looks like overall edge goes to GEORGIA 4-2-1. Now why is everyone thinking LSU should jump from 7th to 2nd on the last day of the season. Wasn’t the BCS created so that we couldn’t cherry pick the title game simply based on the last week of the season?

By Dog44

December 2, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Stan Smith is right. However, based on what I understand, I think the Rose would choose Illinois over UGA even if they had the choice.

Tradition dies hard there… way too hard… but it doesn’t matter.

We’re going to N.O. to play Hawaii. And yes, that game makes me nervous. Oh well… it’s great to be in the BCS and even being talked about for the big game at this point in the season.

By IlliniFan

December 2, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

*Dog44 wrote…

BUT… the Rose (probably) selecting Illinois is ridiculous. They consider themselves the granddaddy of the bowls, or the most prestigious one, or whatever, but with decisions like this they should be penalized by the media and fans for being irrelevant. Wake up to the 21st century and give some other teams a chance to travel out there. Match up the best teams available and the Rose will start to recover some of its tarnished reputation and be the most exciting Bowl game again.

Give me a break, Rose Bowl.*

Listen, I feel for you guys. Both your team and your fans are being screwed to a certain extent but you, and the author of this article for that matter, need to better inform yourselves and blame the Sugar Bowl and the BCS Rules. Don’t blame Illinois and the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl cannot take Georgia unless the Sugar gives them up. In this case, the way the rules are set up, the Sugar has the first right of refusal on Georgia. It is just one of those things.

If I were you I would direct my anger and energies into demanding a playoff system. Then we could avoid all of this uninformed whining and misplaced outrage.

By Phillip Barton

December 2, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

This has been one of the greatest seasons to watch college football in the history of the sport. I am a rabid fan of SEC football and have watched my Georgia Bulldogs compete against great squads from Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and the rest of the southeastern conference schools. The joy of watching college football is being able to rant and rave for your favorite team as it plays the teams it competes against each year and win or lose knowing you can’t wait till next year so your boys can have a shot at them again. I really don’t care if Georgia does not get in the BCS title game because I know they have had a great year and they will only get better. To Southern Cal, Hawaii, West Virginia (Yes I said West Virginia! I would love to see a little a* kicking payback.) and any other football powerhouse available I say Brang it on boys!!! It will be a great game and add to another year of fantastic memories for all fans of college football. Oh yeah, as much as I hate Florida (It’s a good, friendly hate) I think Tim Tebow is the best player in america as far as the Heisman trophy is concerned. Darren Mcfaden is a dream for any NFL team that picks him but Tim Tebow is the best pick for my money. Understand this. I think the Heisman should be awarded to the best player by position “ie” there would be multiple Heismans given (at least 22) for each position both offensive and defensive. Hear what I’m saying. You can’t win a football game without the team working together as a whole. And I don’t think it’s fair for a few people to be chosen simply because they play the glamour positions. Herschel Walker needed his teammates to clear a path for him as he ran for the trophy and so does Darren McFadden. Tim Tebow needs great receivers to catch the ball as well as offensive linemen to protect him while he throws and runs for touchdowns. I know I’ve opened up a whole other can of worms but it’s how I feel about it and that’s what blogs are for. Either way enjoy the bowl games and root like hell for your team like there’s no tommmorow cause it only gets better each and everytime you watch them play. Drive safely and enjoy the new year. Just my thoughts.

By Joshua Fink

December 2, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

hey moron, what about ASU? 10-2…..hello? Fiesta!

By Josh

December 2, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

hey moron, what about ASU? 10-2…..hello? Fiesta!

By kevinh

December 2, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

I always beleived that football should be settled on the field,but I guess I was wrong.Tony and the rest of all football analyst beleive It should be up to a bunch of coachs votes. Coachs will change their votes to lsu over georgia. My only question is why? Please dont use the lsu won the sec championship either because so did oklahoma,virginia tech,usc,why not these teams. why just lsu? Personnally if not uga, I would like it to be oklahoma.

By Kevin

December 2, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

How many wins verse a top 5 team does Georgia have? Illinois has two. The Illini beat the best team in the nation in Ohio home on OSU’s senior day. Not only did they win, but they destroyed any chance of a comeback by holdign the ball for 13 minutes in the 4th quarter, with QB Juice running out the last 8:30 practically by himself. Before you start to think that Illinois is a bad team and that the Big 10 is overrated, you should watch their games… Illinois will beat a USC team, guaranteed. Geogia lost to S. Carolina and Tennesse, give me a break. They are not any better than Illinois… The juice is loose.

By skip

December 2, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

“two touchdown”????????????????????

By Big Ol Hawaiian

December 2, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Dont be suprised to see Hawaii in the Rose Bowl. The revenue from an all west coast/Mega scoring fest coupled with alotta junk bowl game matchups may be enough to sway BCS voters. Hawaii fans will travel and the Rose commitee & BCS knows this. Heres to Hopes of turning the Rose Bowl green Aloha

By Atlanta Gator

December 2, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Bowls other than the BCS championship game? Well, they may be important to the fans, players and coaches of the teams playing in them, but to everyone else, only one game really matters now: the BCS (MNC) championship game.

Here’s the burning question: should UGA or LSU be invited to the BCS title game? Those of you bloggers who have read my previous blog posts know that I am no Dawg hater, but with apologies, my Dawg friends, I must say that no, the Dawgs should not be invited. Here’s why: conference championships matter, and the SEC championship matters more than most. LSU won the SEC West, and defeated the SEC East co-champion on the field. SEC East co-champion Tennessee demolished SEC co-champion Georgia by 21 points for the privilege of playing in the SEC championship game, and UGA also lost to an unranked and clearly inferior 6-6 South Carolina by 4. LSU lost to Kentucky and Arkansas in two multiple-overtime games by a total of 8 points. The argument about who is the “hotter” team right now is moot; a banged-up LSU team still managed to win their own division and gut out a W in the conference championship game on the strength of their defense, and is therefore more deserving than UGA. Period. End of story. As ol’ Ross Perot used to say, everything else is so much “gorilla dust.”

As for the argument that UGA is in better physical shape right now, well, probably so. But when the Tigers are 100% healthy, I have little doubt that they are a better, more talented team than the Dawgs. LSU now has five weeks to get all of their injured players healthy and ready to play Ohio State … .

So, my Dawg friends, enjoy New Orleans, make sure your kids take care of business and beat the snot out of Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, and then bask in the glow of finishing among the top 2 or 3 teams in the country. Anything else is crying over what might have been if the Dawgs had won those two games in September and October.

The SEC will have a chance to win a BCS (MNC) title game and the Sugar Bowl, and rack up at least two other January bowl wins over the Big Ten.

So, I say “Go Tigers, go Dawgs, go Gators, go SEC.”

By Mac

December 2, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

The sense of entitlement on behalf of a team that didn’t win its half of its conference is mind boggling.

By DAN-osu fan

December 2, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

The BCS is a farce, they might as well though out the poll. We are back to picking who we want in the final games. Georgia got shafted, you cannot have LSU and OK jump them, they finished with the exact same 6-2 record in the SEC as LSU and Tenn. I hope Georgia boycotts the BCS bowl bid they get and we get a chance for another split national championship.

By War Eagle

December 2, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

AP 1..OHio State, 2. LSU,. 3. Oklahoma 4. UGA.Same crap as 2004

By Phil

December 2, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

You’re absolutely brilliant. I know that ASU is only tied for the PacTen and is only 10-2, but NO bowl game for the Devils? Dumb-buh. emphasis on the buh!

By cfb fan

December 2, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

to those who believe the rose bowl is locked in a tradition whose time is past… the rose bowl belongs to the big10 and the pac10 and as far as many folks in both these conferences are concerned it should be removed from the bcs system. in no way do they mean this as a slap at other conferences but they want to play each other and to them the the bcs has destroyed what would be the best game (OSU vs USC) from every metric (quality of teams, traditional rivalry, economic impact and tv ratings.) i believe after another decade the big10 and pac10 will lead the dismantling of the bcs. which i know goes against the conventional wisdom of the perrenially disrespected, or so they say, sec leading the charge for a nc playoff. following the dismantling of the bcs a playoff system will be put in place in which the orange, sugar, fiesta, and rose bowl champions enter a playoff. this will require that conference championship games go the way of the do do bird. (once again conventional wisdom is wrong that the big10 and pac10 will move towards adding a conference championship game.) the question will become how are these bowl teams selected. the rose bowl will be big10 vs pac10 that much we know.

By J Dig

December 2, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Let us not forget that LSU lost literally 9 (NINE!!!!) days ago…

By CFB Fan

December 2, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

“War Eagle was right! OU did lose their conference game in 2004 and still played for the national title. They lost to Kansas State.”

Someone on ESPN pointed out they used a different BCS formula after that situation to “fix” the problem. If you were to run the numbers from 2004 in today’s formula OU would have not gone to the national title.

Sorry UGA, just shut up and play in the Sugar Bowl and don’t loss to TN and SC next year jessshhh.

By Bob

December 2, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

Illini Fan, You are absolutely correct. Once it became clear that LSU is headed to play Ohio State, Georgia was locked into the Sugar. The Rose Bowl cannot “steal” UGA from the Sugar. The rule was implemented a couple of years ago after the Orange did it to the Rose Bowl by stealing USC and Iowa.

On the other hand, the Rose Bowl was looking for an excuse to pick a Big Ten team. No offense intended because Ron Zook and Illinois have had a great season. They are a very good team, but had Georgia been available, it would have been a much more desireable match-up.

I am looking forward to going to the Sugar Bowl. Gosh on 7 Oct I thought we MIGHT be headed to that other Louisiana City that hosts a somewhat less prestigious bowl game. We had better be ready for Colt Brennan and Company. They throw the ball all over the lot. We should win and should win handily, but we thought the same thing against WVU and I am sure OU thought the same last year against Boise State. Hawaii will be ranked at least 10th when the BCS comes out later today.

Go Dawgs!!

By syrdog

December 2, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

all illinois fans

the big 10 is overrated. you alll lost to iowa.a bad iowa.

By Bob

December 2, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Hey CFB fan,

You are absolutely right about the Rose Bowl and their desire to continue the tradition of Big Ten and PAC Ten. That is fine and good and I am all for tradition..it is what makes college football.

But then, you cannot have it both ways. After Penn State won the 1994 Rose Bowl they complained to the Blue Sky when FSU beat Nebraska for the National Title. Well, FSU played the best team available while the nice, traditional Rose Bowl offered the Nittany Lions a somewhat less appealing Oregon team. And then ther real laugher was in 1997. Michigan screamed bloody murder when they had to “share” the national championship with Nebraska. All Nebraska did was go to the Orange Bowl and pound a very good Tennessee team. Meanwhile the Rose Bowl pitted the Wolverines played a lesser Washington State team.

So I am all for tradion, but if these two conferences insist on having a different set of standards for their Grand Daddy of all Bowl Games, then they can suffer the consequences of being left out of serious college football discussions.

By TebowHeisman

December 2, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

oh well you guys came close. Go Gators. When was the last time UGA won a national championship?

By chase

December 2, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

THE ROSE CAN TAKE UGA!!!

The RULE that would prevent them from doing so IS THROWN OUT When the team they lost is RANKED #1!!!!

Please Throw a DAWG a BONE and at least let us play in the ROSE against a GOOD OPPENENT!!!!

By Bob

December 2, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Tebow-Heisman, Enjoy Orlando and see if you can beat Michigan this time. Tebow is most deserving of the trophy too. Hope he wins it again next year. Lets see, Spurrier wins Heisman despite 27-10 pasting at the hands of Dawgs. Tebow wins Heisman despite 42-30 Dawg win. Maybe next year we can have Knowshon score 3 more TDs while Tim wins a second straight Heisman.

By Dog the Gator Hunter

December 2, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

The Dawgs better find a way to get up for this Sugar Bowl. No repeats of the 2006 game against WVU. No one should be taken lightly this season, especially the one remaining unbeaten team in the country.

UGA 45 Hawaii 24

By chase

December 2, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

PLAYING HAWAII is an ALL RISK..NO REWARD GAME FOR THE DAWGS!!!!

By Bob

December 2, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

CHASE,

In the Coaches Poll Hawaii is rated 10th. They are probably going to be around that when the BCS comes out. That means they will be ranked higher than who USC plays. WVU is ranked one position higher than Hawaii in the Coaches poll and one position lower in the AP. Kansas is ranked only two positions higher. Our opponent in New Orleans is going to be ranked above or equal to the opponents of USC, Oklahoma and Va. Tech. Yeah, we have lots to lose, but so does everyone else.

And besides, it is irrelevant because that is who we are playing, like it or not.

By Atlanta Gator

December 2, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Dog the Gator Hunter——Exactly so, sir. The Dawgs must take care of business, or Hawaii goes 13-0 and creates even more controversy.

By Bob

December 2, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Chase, Read Rule 3c of the BCS Bowl Selection Process. If the BCS Championship Game takes teams from two conferences that have bowl tie ins (i.e., Rose-Big Ten and Sugar-SEC) the Bowl which loses the number one ranked team gets first choice in the Bowl Selection process. However, that bowl maynot select the replacement team for the bowl which would normally get the number 2 team.

In other words, the Rose Bowl can choose anyteam it wants to replace Ohio State, EXCEPT for the team the Sugar Bowl would take. The Rose can ask the Sugar for Georgia, but there is no way in the world the Sugar would do that.

Again Paragraph 3c of the BCS Selection process.

By Dog the Gator Hunter

December 2, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

TebowHeisman - There should be a rule. Any school that takes 59 years to win its first conference championship (Florida in ‘91) should be barred from trash talking for at least the next 25 years.

By Charles

December 2, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Assuming we had an 8-team playoff system using only conference champions, Georgia would not even be in the playoff, let alone the 4th best rated team in the country. Don’t be blinded by the polls. 8-team conference championship bracket would include: SEC CHAMPION ACC CHAMPION BIG EAST CHAMPION BIG TENN CHAMPION BIG 12 CHAMPION PAC-10 CHAMPION WAC CHAMPION MAC/CONF USA/Other CHAMPION

By Bob

December 2, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Charles,

You are right. We should have the Champion of the MAC, Central Michigan, which lost to Clemson 70-14 and lost 5 games in an 8 team playoff! Makes perfect sense to me. Other than maybe Hawaii, Boise or BYU, what non-BCS team should even be considered? Sheesh

If you are going to have an 8 team playoff, do it this way.

6 BCS Conference Champs Highest ranked non-BCS School if they attain #12 in BCS Poll Highest ranked Wildcard (Notre Dame or highest ranked BCS Conference Wildcard…this year it would be UGA).

By Atlanta Gator

December 2, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Bob——Nice try. You may remember Danny Wuerffel, Gator QB? Heisman winner in 1996? Three wins of 47-17 (‘96), 52-17 (‘95) and 52-14 (‘94) over the Dawgs. No Gator-Heisman jinx vs. UGA afterall, huh?

By Bob

December 2, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator,

Two out of three ain’t bad, is it? LOL.

By cfb fan

December 2, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

hi bob,

since the big10 and pac10 don’t wish to part with tradition (not just for traditions sake but also for financial reasons) and don’t want to be left of out of serious college football discussions on crowing a national champ. i believe they will take the lead in creating a playoff that will follow the rose, orange, fiesta, and sugar bowls. a win-win. thest two conferences have the most to lose and the most to gain by taking the lead on this.

i speculate that it will take about another 10 years for the big10 and pac10 to become dissatisfied enough with the bcs to take the lead on creating a playoff.

i could be wrong in 10 years the rose bowl tradition could be nothing but a distant memory, just another bowl game. we aren’t there yet and this year the dissapointment is strong in both conferences. USC earned the right to play in the rose bowl against the big10 champion and instead will play the big10 runner up. ill looks like they will represent the big10 in the rose bowl and are excited but they are tempered by the fact that the last time they went to the rose bowl (1983) they went as big10 champions now they go as runner-up. it is different and not in a good way. meawhile osu is thrilled to be in the nc game but their joy is also tempered by the fact that they were destined to play usc in the rose bowl and it is impossible to argue that whomever is selected to play osu in the nc will result in a granddaddy of them all like a OSU USC duel on new years day would have been.

By shane #1

December 2, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

usa today and ap polls both show osu #1-lsu#2-ou#3 and uga#4.i think the bcs will follow suit,since 75% of it’s rankings come from human polls.the bcs no longer considers strength of schedule and computer power rankings count for only 25% of the points so uga has no shot.i never really thought uga had a shot anyway,we started too low in the preseason polls.to be quite honest,i am not upset by this,but happy.i would have thought someone insane if they had said back in october that uga was going to the sugar bowl!i was hoping we could finish strong enough to make it to the outback bowl.now it looks like a trip to the big easy and a big party in the french quarter.i hope the dogs take the field with a chip on their shoulder,whip the warriors and start next year at no 2 or 3.count your blessings dog fans,we were close to playing on a blue field in boise!BTW,what the hell is a humanitarian bowl?

By War Eagle

December 2, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

SEC has 6 teams in top 25, three in the top ten. What a conference, sadden UGA is not playing for the title, but we do have an SEC team who will beat Ohio State. UGA will need some skates in the secondary playing Hawaii, but will win.Auburn will have their hands full with Clemson nad Tenn, Florida can tame Big Ten.

By Atlanta Gator

December 2, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Bob——Two out of three, eh? The Evil Genius lost two games (as QB) vs. UGA; Danny Wuerffel won three vs. UGA; Tim Tebow has lost one vs. UGA, with at least one, and hopefully two more games to play. That means the two Gator Heisman winners (and one more likely winner) are collectively 3-3 against UGA.

Still, I think Tim Tebow would be the first to concede this year’s Heisman for a win over the Dawgs and a crack at the BCS MNC in 2008.

Woof!

By chase

December 2, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

ROOT for OU to JUMP LSU in the BCS…that way LSU WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE SUGAR and the DAWGS could go to the ROSE!!!!!

By Richard

December 2, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Sorry Georgia fans, but you really have zero claim to the BCS title game. If only two teams get to play for the championship, winning their conference should be the number one criteria. That being said, West Virginia and VT both have legit claims and I have no idea why noone is lobbying for them.

That being said, here’s a rhetorical question:

How many losses would those 5 BCS conference champions need to have for Hawaii to jump ahead of them? I’m not saying Hawaii is one of the 2 best teams, but what have they done to not get any respect? I hope they blow out whoever they play so they can split the national championship with someone.

By Atlanta Gator

December 2, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

shane——in answer to your questions, humanitarian bowl = charity bowl. for teams with six division i wins. in any event, uga does not need to know what it is.

By Bob

December 2, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Richard,

I think they don’t get much respect because they played an extremely weak schedule…although certainly not all their fault. Plus they barely escaped against San Jose State and LA. Tech, two pretty bad teams. Last night they made a great comeback and then held on to escape a very bad (4-9) Washington team.

I think they are really pretty good, but that is why they don’t get lots of raves. They won them all, but then Tucker High School is unbeaten too.

By pasivefists

December 2, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

funny how so many people are singing the praises of a playoff system, yet unwilling to recognize the obvious…the championship game would be UGA vs USC (not the 2 best record, most traditional, or conference championship winning teams,but the two best playing teams right NOW) so why are all these people saying no to georgia (who is numerically next up) and in the same breath welcoming a change of the system to playoff??????~

By The ole Ball Coach

December 2, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

BCS stands for Biased Crooked System

By Lee Arledge

December 2, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Boycot the Sugar!!! The BCS is a mess enough. Now to make it worse they are dividing up all the games to avoid the possibility of a split National Championship. The Sugar could reward Georgia by allowing them to go to the Rose Bowl to play USC or allow them to go to the Fiesta to play Oklahoma. Instead we get are getting screwed again and have to play Hawaii. If you are a UGA fan and hate the BCS then do not go to the Sugar Bowl! This is the biggest statement we could make. I hope Coach Richt doesn’t accept the bid. I am so upset with college football this season!

By Big Dawg

December 2, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

The team they should be talking about not deserving a title shot is Ohio State as they played and beat nobody. But as we should be all aware Ohio State like Southern Cal and this year LSU are the media’s darlings. All these other teams had their shot and the only reason we are having this discussion is LSU when ranked # 1 twice they lost, Ohio State when they were ranked # 1 they lost, Oklahoma lost twice to unranked teams, and USC lost twice to a pathetic Stanford and a pretty good at the time Oregon. So to say the Dawgs don’t deserve a chance is just wrong as the BCS National Championship game is supposed to pit the two best teams against each other and IMHO that would be Georgia versus USC or LSU.

By shane #1

December 2, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

atlanta gator,thanks for the info.who started the humanitarian bowl,mother teresa?i had no idea she was into football!i am glad she had mercy on my brothers from the north ave trade school.techies,after watching the falcons make the rams look like the cowboys i hope you,or somebody,will take patrino!war eagle,are you guys still intrested?we all know how saban turned alabama around,oops,never mind.just give ole tubby a raise.

By Rob Lundey

December 2, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

For all you crybabies out their saying LSU does not deserve to go to the NC. Shall I remind you that they, like Georgia and V-Tech have TWO losses. However, here are the advantages LSU should have over each. First of all, both of LSU’s losses came in TRIPLE OT, and BOTH to BOWL eligible conference opponents. LSU did lose to one team that Goergia beat, HOWEVER, Georgia LOST to TWO teams that LSU beat, one of which was for the SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS. As far as VaTech goes, I think I could stop with LSU 48 - VaTech 7. For those who want to argue Hawaii or Kansas, I have two words for you.
WEAK SCHEDULE! How many bowl eligible teams did either of you beat? LSU beat SEVEN bowl eligible teams. GROW UP, GET A GRIP and accept it, the SEC has the advantage!

By shane #1

December 2, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

to whoever wrote that about the boycott.are you crazy?boycott the sugar bowl?yeah,i am going to skip new years eve in the french quarter and miss out on pat obrians,preservation hall,the commanders palace,and oyster loafs!my mouth is watering already!shrimp creole,gunbo,dixieland jazz and cold beer.did someone say something about a football game? seriously,let’s go to whatever bowl and root the dogs on to a win.then we will start next year in the top five.where you start in the bcs has much to do with where you finish!

By Phillip Barton

December 2, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Hawaii fans you have a great team. You have a great coach. I am and always have been a fan of June Jones even when he was a coach with the Atlanta Falcons. To get respect even with the fantastic season that you’ve had you must play a schedule of opponents who are worthy enough to propel you into the title game. La Tech 5 - 7, UNLV 2 - 10, Charlston Southern 5 - 6, Idaho 1 - 11, Utah State 2 - 10, San Jose State 5 - 7, New Mexico State 4 - 9,Fresno State 8 - 4, Nevada 6 - 6, Boise State 10 - 2 and a weak Washington Huskies team which finished at 4 - 9. All respect given to you and your fans for the season you’ve had but you have to play somebody to be somebody. I don’t think you guys would have finished better than 5 - 7 if you played in the SEC, BIG TEN, BIG 12 or the PAC 10. Not hating just stating. Good luck in your bowl game. Just my thoughts.

By kennith

December 2, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Reagrding Jeff’s comments “LSU plays in a weaker conference (west vs east) than Georgia” Georgia lost to South Carolina and Tenn. LSU beat South Carolina and Tenn. Actually, LSU beat Tenn with their back up quarterback. Georgia was blown out by Tenn. Also, LSU record is 11-2 and Georgia is 10-2, LSU has won more games and has a higher winning percentage. It is that simple.

By RxDawg

December 2, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

This is rotten =( The F-in media campaigned for this crap the moment it Missouri lost. Were ranked 4th, two teams ahead of us lose, and were still ranked 4th!!!!!!! You gota be freakin kiding me. This is a joke. I will from now on boycott the MNC game and the stupid Rose bowl (unless UGA is in either). The Rose is the biggest reason we cant go to a small playoff so screw em! Yep dawgs, we got done over pretty bad. I guess we can go sulk with the 04 Auburn fans..

By D Gelbart

December 2, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Illinois should go to the Rose Bowl. When Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit were talking about who should go to the BCS National Championship game they were like LSU should be skipped over UGA. They were also talking about LSU deserving it. LSU lost in overtime when they were number 1 twice to Arkansas and Kentucky. UGA beat down Kentucky handily and has a six game winning streak while LSU lost to unranked Arkansas before winning in the SEC Championship against Tennessee who might not be ranked at the end of the season. The National Championship game should be Ohio State versus Georgia but, its not going to happen. GO DAWGS!

By Richard

December 2, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Bob,

Point taken, and I agree completely. Good thing all thos major conference teams bailed on Hawaii so we have no indication that they’re any good.

By James

December 2, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Tennessee stomped Geogia by 3 touchdowns and couldn’t even win the east division. Let a REAL SEC champion represent for the national title. GO LSU!!!!

By James

December 2, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Tennessee stomped Georgia by 3 touchdowns and Georgia couldn’t even win the east division. Let a REAL SEC champion represent for the national title. GO LSU!!!!

By FLA DAWG

December 2, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator,

Let’s stick to the existing policy that has been in place all season; Mizzou & W.Va. lose, Ohio State moves up to 1 - but 4 is jumped by two teams? You can cite all the games you want and so can I but the polls are to be used CONSISTENTLY throughout the year or they should not be used AT ALL!

The Dawgs, by virtue of their wins clawed their way up to 4. Ohio State moves to 1 but the Dawgs stay at 4. Blatantly unfair and you know it my friend.

By mikeinla

December 2, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

COOL did you see the Coaches Poll 1. Ohio State (46) 2. L.S.U. (11) 3. Oklahoma (2) 4. Georgia 5. Virginia Tech 6. USC 7. Missouri 8. Kansas 9. West Virginia 10. Hawaii (1) GO LSU

By Phillip Barton

December 2, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

As for Louisiana State playing for the national title over other teams who may or may not deserve to? I don’t have a problem with it because I think they would give a great effort as well as any other team including my Georgia Bulldogs. My complaint with any of this stuff is that you win when you win and lose when you lose. I don’t see how any team can be ranked #1 and drop so many places not once but twice then jump so far ahead of other teams who might be more deserving simply because they had a last minute win. I have always had a problem with rankings when a team loses a close game even at home “ie” Georgia’s loss to South Carolina and drops from #12-#13 to #22-#23 then after winning enough games to climb back to #12-#13 gets a deserved spanking at Tennessee to be dropped back to #24 again. LSU lost it’s chance at playing in the biggest game of the year (twice!!!) and won the SEC championship which is cool but they should’nt be given a 3rd try when there are several others who may be more deserving. Georgia is/was ranked 3-4 positions ahead of LSU and I for one think that Oklahoma is more deserving of being given the chance to compete. Whatever way the bowls turns out I”ll always love college football in general and Georgia in particular and I’m looking forward to them beating whoever they are paired against. Once again, just my thoughts.

By Dawgtime

December 2, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

All I can say is that the people of Louisiana cannot be proud of Les Miles. That man has been an embarrassment to LSU and the SEC. He starts the season by running off at the mouth about USC. Every time he doesn’t get his way; he gets on T.V. and cries and complains like a baby. He looked like a idiot complaining about the attention with the Michigan job. Like he didn’t use the information as leverage to gain a better contract. Les, put a pacifier in your mouth and just shut up. His team didn’t lose during intermission. How stupid. No, your team lost to an unranked team at home you stupid idiot. You are a disgrace. Maybe Michigan will take you out of the south. I’m a SEC fan to the core, but I cannot pull for a team that is led by that idiot. He has a bigger mouth than Suppier. Oklahoma is a much better team. Les, your sorry team barely beat an average UT team which was ranked much lower than yours. The Sooners defeated the number one team. This is a joke. Playoffs won’t happen because of money and corruption. Typical politics. Liars, thieves, and bums.

By FLA DAWG

December 2, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see Richt not accept ANY BCS Bowl invitation if The Dawgs don’t play for the N.C. If Auburn had done that in ‘04 we would have a playoff system in place by now.

By Bob

December 2, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Why was Alabama picked over South Carolina. They won only one game over a ranked opponent, and only two of the teams they played are going to bowls. South Carolina won two games over teams that were ranked #5 and three of the teams they defeated are going to bowls.

By kdawg5

December 2, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Why is know one talking about Oklahoma in the National Champioship? They just beat the #1 team in the nation handily.

As for LSU, come on! They aren’t superman. They should have 4 losses almost losing to Auburn and Alabama!

How about their non-conference? middle tennesse, tulane, louisana monroe. Some real challanges there.

By Michael Steenblik

December 2, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

Hawaii 12-0 in Horrible Conf. and Home games that teams travel 6+ hours on airplane to play football. BYU at 10-2, 7 game win streak and undeafeted in conf. desearves it more than Hawaii, Illinois, Clemson, and Auburn. Damn the BCS

By Phillip Barton

December 2, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

Stop it! Kill it!! All this talk of boycotting the BCS bowl Georgia is heading to is not reasonable. The projected payout is at least $17,000,000 and I’m a w******* just like all the other major colleges are w******* when it comes to this kind of money. Each BCS conference is guaranteed approximately $17 million, plus an additional $4.5 million should a second conference team be selected. Although each conference has its own arrangement for the distribution of these funds, the average income per school in each conference is as follows (One team selected/Two teams selected):

Atlantic Coast (12 teams): $1.417M / $1.792M Big East (8 teams): $2.125M / $2.688M Big Ten (11 teams): $1.545M / $1.955M Big 12 (12 teams): $1.417M / $1.792M Pacific 10 (10 teams): $1.7M / $2.15M Southeastern (12 teams): $1.417M / $1.792M Any school stupid enough to give up this kind of money to make a point needs to spend whatever money they have for a really good shrink. Get over it Bulldog fans only 2 teams can play for the title and were apparently not one of them. Show me the money! Just my thoughts

By 3volpaul

December 2, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

Congrat, Dawgs on a great year. Don’t blow it be being flat vs the Rainbows. You have a chance to wind up #3.

By Steve

December 2, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

Absolutely embarrassing if the Peach takes Clemson. BC is a much better team and would be a lot better competition for Auburn.

Rose and Peach committees need to rethink why they are on this planet, both will sell-out, have better competition!

By FLA DAWG

December 2, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

The only way this mess will be cleared up is with a genuine playoff system. That will only happen if and when college football teams, coaches, administrators and fans say, “No More”, decline bowl bids, turn the channel and cease buying tickets.

I am a Dawg Fan through and through but what happened to Auburn a few years ago made me sick. It’s happening again now and will happen again and again until we all demand a playoff system.

By GA_is_a_redneck_state

December 2, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

Quit yer whining “Dawg” fans…LSU would blow you off the field just like they did in ‘03. You are NOT the NO. 4 team in the country and you’re definitely not No. 2! Be glad if you get to play Hawaii because a Texas, Oklahoma, USC, etc. would wipe the field with you. BTW, how’s your basketball team doing? HA, HA!

By Bob

December 2, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Yeah Steve,

Sure BC would be better. And all 10 of their fans would appreciate it. They travel worse than Miami does. Face it, in Boston it is the Red Sox or nothing.

I personally don’t begrudge LSU the BCS game. I think being SEC champ carries the weight. What I do find amusing and somewhat hypocritical is the ESPN gang that last year practically begged the BCS voters to pick Michigan because it was “clear that Michigan and Ohio State were the best two teams in the country”. Now, suddenly Georgia shouldn’t qualify because they didn’t win their divsion or conference. Huh??? On top of that, Kirk and company consistently say that UGA and USC are currently the two best teams in the country.

As for boycotting the Sugar Bowl. Who are you kidding. The BCS could care less if we are that stupid. I’ll take that Bowl anyday.

By dawgs_fans_whine

December 2, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Say Aloha, “Dawgs”! Tired of listening to yer whining. Herschel’s been gone forever…DEAL! Count yerselves lucky to draw the “Warriors”. Would love to see you play a Texas or Oklahoma so you’d shut yer yaps after they wiped the field with you!

By Paul Amann

December 2, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

If the final standings aren’t being announced until later than how come news got out early that LSU and Ohio State are in the BCS National Championship Game prior to the show that is supposed to announce it. Also why was betting action being taken for the BCS National Championship Game in Vegas showing LSU and Ohio State as the two teams playing it, prior to the Harris Poll results being released to the public?

By Atlanta Gator

December 2, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

FLA DAWG——No one is trying to take anything away from the Dawgs. Not me, not the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll voters, and not the Harris Interactive Poll voters, are trying to steal something from the Dawgs. The argument that is being made in favor of LSU now is the same one that was made in favor of UF last season. All things being equal, the winner of the SEC championship game deserves to play in the BCS title game if its record is equal or better than the records of the other available teams.

In summary, LSU is 11-2 overall, 7-2 in SEC games and the SEC West champion, and won the SEC championship game. The Tigers are 6-1 against opponents shared with UGA.

UGA is 10-2 overall, 6-2 in SEC games, and the SEC East co-champion. The Dawgs are 5-2 against opponents shared with LSU.

UGA’s record is good, but LSU’s record is also good and includes the SEC championship. Bottom line: conference championships matter, and the SEC matters more than most.

As for the “policy” to which you refer, there is no such policy, formally or informally, among the 200-odd voters in the two polls that are included as part of the BCS rankings. The coaches, retired players and media members who are the voters are free to vote however they wish. If you have a beef, it’s with the voters, not with my honestly stated and easily defended opinion. I merely shared my opinion that LSU is more deserving of playing in the championship game than UGA. Nothing personal, and no disrespect intended. The Dawgs redeemed their early season mistakes, were in position to capitalize on the late season mistakes of others, and have now exceeded all reasonable pre-season expectations. No one has cheated them of anything.

By War Eagle

December 2, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this

If UGA had been pre season #1 or near, won big through the season, lost two over time games and won SEC with back up QB, it would be UGA vs Ohio State. UGA got beat by one of the worst defense in SEC(Tenn), plus really did`nt show up on radar screen until the Florida game,,

By Mike Derry

December 2, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Oklahoma should no doubt be in the BCS game! They by far are the best team in the NCAA this year. Ohio State should not because they don’t play in a league championship so they should not even e cosidered…Bring on LSU!!

By Phillip Barton

December 2, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

Where were you in 05’ #13 Georgia spanked some Kitty Kat booty 34 - 14. I recall your boys were ranked #3 looking for another title shot then. That was the year Georgia got shell shocked against a very good West Virginia squad early in the Sugar Bowl only to lose in the last minutes of a good game. LSU is a great team and will play very well against Ohio State but Georgia and a large number of other teams have legitimate gripes about how the rankings are being set. Looking forward to watching the game versus LSU (Baton Rouge October 25th 2008). Just my thoughts.

By Pat H

December 2, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Missouri got screwed, We beat Kansas and they are playing in the Orangs bowl. There’s something wrong with the system

By Pat H

December 2, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Missouri got screwed, We beat Kansas and they are playing in the Orangs bowl. There’s something wrong with the system

By Richard

December 2, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Ok this is exactly the season we needed for a playoff system to take over!!!! seriously I’m a huge dawgs fan but i agree LSU should be ahead of us but still i feel like its bs because since our last lost to UT they have lost two games!!! 2nd Oklahoma is gettin really screwed i think their one of the best teams in the nation….OHIO St. hasn’t played anybody this season i dont know how they are #1 again after they lost when they were #1.. what kills me is LSU was #1 twice and couldnt hold it they lost…3rd Hawaii i dont think they are good enough to deserve a chance the way the BCS is now but their freakin undefeated they should atleast get a chance and if there was a playoff system they would get a chance… Just like George Mason did in March Madness…..3 best teams right now in order…..1. Oklahoma 2. Georgia 3. USC!!!!!

Bring the playoff system on cause this NC Game is gunna be just like last year.. lsu is gunna kill Ohio St.

GOO DAWGS BABY its gunna be a good game against Hawaii i think!!! a high scoring game….but i think we should of been able to go to the rose bowl and play USC.. i think that would of been the game of the year hands down!!!

By Den

December 2, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Great pre-announcement research, Tony. Lobby for a playoff.

By bamadon

December 3, 2007 6:40 AM | Link to this

Hey Bob, Alabama has 12 national titles in football. South Carolina has never and will never win a national title in football. Bama will bring more fans and it is only a few hours drive from tuscaloosa to the weed eater bowl!!

By FLA DAWG

December 3, 2007 7:11 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator I never used the word “cheated”. In fact, I believe LSU deserves to be there. My point is there is no consistency in the bowl selection / rating procedure. Ohio State was idle Saturday Night and they moved from 3 to 1 while The Dawgs stayed at 4. Ohio State played a patsy schedule in a down year conference and still managed to lose a game - but made it to the NCCG. You’ll probably disagree, but I believe that UF with one loss last year got to play in the NCCG with a little payback from the Auburn burn a couple of years earlier. I believe there were one or more teams with as good a record. I am glad the gators went and even happier they pounded Ohio State. I believe LSU will win this year as well. Bottomline, until there is a playoff system the whole process is subjective as heck. There is no justifiable reason NOT to have a playoff. They do it in high school football as well as the pros. He!!, they do it in the kids leagues. The system is corrupt with no consistency in the selection process.

By Steve B.

December 3, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this

Now that it’s official that LSU will be in the BCS title game, it’s time for Georgia to stop whining. If the Bulldogs had beaten South Carolina, as LSU did, Georgia would’ve had its shot at the SEC title.

By D Ellis

December 3, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this

I ithnk the only 2 teams that got shafted were Oklahoma and Mizzou. O-State SHOULD NOT BE PLAYING FOR THE NC…..THE HIGHEST RANKED TEAM THEY BEAT ALL YEAR WAS #21 Michigan…THERE SCHEDULE WAS A JOKE….THEY BEAT 1….COUNT IT 1 TEAM THE FINISHED IN THE BCS STANDINGS….AND THAT TEAM DID NOT EVEN FINISH IN THE TOP 10….O-State is a fraud….THEY WON THE WEAKEST CONFERENCE IN THE COUNTRY…..THE WEEK BEFORE THEY PLAYED MICHIGAN BY DEFAULT…..O-STATE BACKED THEIR WAY INTO THE BIG 10 TITLE….THEY BACKED THEIR WAY INTO THE NC GAME…OKLAHOME SHOULD BE PLAYING LSU…NOT O-STATE.

As for UGA….yeah the argument can be made that if your number 4 and 1 and 2 lose than you should be #2. However LOGIC….YES I SAY LOGIC AND RATIONAL THINKING AS A PURE AND DIE HARD UGA FAN….BUT ALSO A COLEGE FOOTBALL FAN…TELLS ME AND SHOULD TELL EVERY ONE ELSE….THAT UGA IS THE BOWL GAME THEY DESERVE TO BE IN…PERIOD..POINT BLANK….NOTHING ELSE TO SAY. So lets get ready for a great game against Hawaii… WE ARE ABOUT TO PLAY the following:

1. Highest scoring offense in all the country

2. A Heisman trophy finalist and record holder of over 40 NCAA records

3. THE ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM IN THE NATION….I REPEAT THE ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM IN THE NATION

UGA fans as well as myself should be super excited that we are playing in the Sugar Bowl….and playing a team like Hawaii….it’s going to be shoot out….and one of the better bowl games to watch…Congrats to the DAWGS…I AM PROUD OF OUR TEAM AND WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED THIS SEASON!!!!!!! GO BEAT HAWAII’S ARSE!!!!!!!! AND SHOW THEM RAINBOWS HOW A SOUTHERN WHOOPIN IS SHED STYLE!!!!!!!

By TT

December 3, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

I think that it is great that Hawaii has made a BCS bowl game, and also glad that they are matched up against one of the weaker teams in the picture… a UH win will pave the way for more “fringe” teams to make it to the top.

If UH were matched up against a team the would blow them out- it would set back the whole process. Nobody but the same teams would ever get in. We need fresh teams that can come in and win a bowl to go forward.

Good job with sorting out a difficult mess!

By BromoDawg

December 3, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Can someone ask Les Miles since when has college football become hockey? Since when do we award 1 point for a tie in regulation and a loss in overtime?

Might as well go back to the days of Pat “Tie” Dye and the Sugar Bowl.

Also, how does the computer poll rank Kansas ahead of Georgia and UGA 8th at that when Kansas played the 106th of 119th weakest schedule in the country? Oh, and by the way, UGA played the 44th toughest…Virginia Tech 52nd..LSU 57th…USC 61st…Oklahoma 66th… Ohio St. 75th…and Hawaii 119th.

This is a BCmesS!

O.K., as a Georgia grad, I vented!

By This crazy season !

December 4, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

Reading everyones comments is amusing at best. If anything should be learned by all, it is that the game is settled on the field. Any team on a given day could beat the overwhelming fav. Stanford, Appl st., for examples. Teams that climbed the polls and ended up out of the rankings. The SEC is the strongest conf in the land ? Perhaps, we’ll see how they end up after all the bowl games are played. Can anyone out there say they predicted with any accuracy how this season ended up ? Anyone ? If the game was to be decided by computers and analyst it would be a sad game, VERY sad. The analysts should all shut up as they were made laughing stocks week in and week out. The computer picks and ranking were just as bad. Be a fan, support your team ! Let the game be played and see what happens. I think this should make all the analyst, coaches, people that have a say take a long hard look at how things played out this season and realize one thing. At best it is a “educated” guess and remember 2007 as a great season for the “upset underdogs”. What a great season, no one is safe and any team can win.

By lycheetree

December 4, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of crybabies Georgia fans are. I wish you whining mutts would shut the hell up and start focusing on the Hawaii offense. Dont take them for granted, dont say you are “stuck” with them. They are stuck with YOU. If anyone should be whining it’s them (Hawaii). They are undefeated and should be playing Ohio for the championship! Bullcrap scheduling talk… yah they had a weak schedule but they still WON. Look at all the others who LOST to unranked teams.. what a joke. Suck it up you mutts!

By you're so vain !

December 4, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this

Georgia is so good, they should be playing in the NCG… I hope your players and coaches are overlooking Hawaii as much as their fans are. In fact your’re so good, why not start your second string ? Hawaii plays a nobody schedule so they are nobody. Heck why don’t you send in the cheerleaders, waterboy, trainers and some of the know it all fans to play against us nobodies ? Boycott the game as some of you have said. Is it a such a disgrace to play Hawaii ? If Georgia were all that, they wouldn’t have lost any games. Then there would be no questions and they’d be playing in the NCG. Yup go ahead and talk us down and overlook us. What could we possibly do to such a great team ?

By spin

December 4, 2007 3:35 AM | Link to this

Please people You want to talk about what happen ‘lately’ but it is the whole season that count, did you not know that at the first of the year? And lets talk about “lately” you were watching as others played for your conference championship ‘lately’!! LSU was not the only team that jumped ahead. You were 5th. It was not just the spin, The computers can not be spun. LSU was second. They scored higher on each computer program. They played and won an extra game. Therefore they had a higher percentage of success. It’s simple math folks.