The Big 12 is partly to blame this year for the mess at the top of the BCS standings. Texas beat Oklahoma (at a neutral site), Texas Tech beat Texas, and Oklahoma beat Texas Tech. Rather than using a sytematic tiebreaker that takes results into account, e.g., total points for, total points against, margin of victory, etc., the Big 12 allows the BCS standings to serve as a tiebreaker. This couldn't be more flawed if the Joker devised it himself.
The BCS standings have always had two major flaws. First, the teams are ranked before the season even starts. This makes it much harder for surprise teams to climb to the top of the standings. Second, the BCS always punishes teams that lose later in the season more than teams that lose early. Florida lost at home to an unranked team in September this year yet they will most likely play in the BCS championship game if they win today. Meanwhile, Texas, which beat then Number 1 ranked Oklahoma on a neutral field in October has no chance to make the title game without help from Missouri today. That's because Texas lost to Texas Tech in November.
Somehow the BCS voters and computers (hello, Skynet!) moved Oklahoma ahead of Texas last week, allowing Oklahoma to play in the Big 12 title game. If Oklahoma wins tonight, they will play in the BCS title game.
I want to see Oklahoma play Texas again.
I want to see Alabama play USC.
I want to see Texas Tech play Florida.
I want to Penn State play Utah.
I want an eight team playoff.
Think of the excitement an eight team playoff would create in the new year. It would be like March Madness, the Men's NCAA basketball tournament, only bigger. Wouldn't the bowl games be more exciting if they were part of a single-elimination tournament? Wouldn't office pools create interest among even non-football fans? With conference bragging rights, and potential recuiting benefits, wouldn't the players and coaches be even more amped up?
It's time for a playoff system to replace the BCS.
