Will this be the season that makes everyone give up on the BCS in favor of a playoff system? One can only hope. While Ohio State is the undisputed #1 team in the country, there is little consensus on which team should be #2.
Despite Michigan’s loss to Ohio State, Michigan is hanging on as the #2 team in the BCS standings. Their lead over #3 USC, however, is very small. Thus the Trojans will likely leapfrog Michigan if they can win their remaining games against Notre Dame and UCLA. Michigan doesn’t have any more games, so the Wolverines don’t have any more opportunities to impress the voters. Also, if USC loses and Florida wins the SEC championship, the Gators will also have the opportunity to leapfrog Michigan. I won’t even bother discussing scenarios for Arkansas and West Virginia.
Those arguing in favor of Michigan are focusing on the three-point margin of defeat in their road game against #1 Ohio State. Those arguing against Michigan can focus on the three Ohio State turnovers that made the game close. Without a couple of errant snaps by Ohio State’s center, the Buckeyes could have won that game by three touchdowns. They torched Michigan’s celebrated defense for 42 points and over 500 yards.
Neither USC nor Florida has been overly impressive this season, but each will have impressive victories on their resumes if they can win out. It’s hard to argue that they should not get a shot at the Buckeyes.
Of course, this mess makes it clear that college football needs a playoff. Urban Meyer’s opinion on the matter is probably shared by many:
Florida coach Urban Meyer said Sunday a rematch between Michigan and Ohio State would be cause for immediate change to the BCS.
“If that does happen, all the [university] presidents need to get together immediately and put together a playoff system,” he said. “I mean like now, January or whenever to get that done.”
He’ll probably feel the same way if USC and Florida both win out but USC gets the #2 ranking over Florida.
The BCS works great when there are two teams who rise above the rest of the pack. The Ohio State/Miami match-up and the Texas/USC match-up from recent years come to mind. For that reason, the BCS is better than the old system that prevented these games from taking place. But in most years, the selection of the #2 team is very difficult. Fans deserve a playoff system.
