The Humans are Dead, and the BCS did it

In a system as systematically flawed as the BCS, a fair outcome isn’t possible, but the computers finally put a bullet into Mack Brown and the Texas Longhorns. It wasn’t unassisted, as the coaches’ poll had Oklahoma ahead of Texas also; that in combination with the margin in the computers put the Sooners into Big XII Championship game and, assuming they beat Missouri, into the National Championship. Texas…..not so much.

Perhaps Mack Brown shouldn’t have shelved the starters with 12:22 left in the 4th quarter up 42-3 on Texas A&M. Maybe 60+ on the helpless Aggies would have improved the coaches’ opinions of Texas. Instead, despite Texas beating Oklahoma head-to-head on a neutral field by 10 points, the computers, enough Harris voters, and coaches felt compelled or mathematically driven to put the Sooners ahead.

The implications reach further than just the Big XII title game. It’s a foregone conclusion that the national championship game will feature the Big XII champ and the SEC champ. So by exclusion in the Big XII title game, Texas is likely out of the national title picture as well, despite beating both teams that are playing in the Big XII championship game.

Regarding the rest of the BCS, wouldn’t it be poetic if, upon beating Alabama, Florida still wasn’t able to jump Texas in the BCS. Right now Florida stands 4th in the BCS, and a pretty healthy margin behind #3 Texas. They’re a consensus 4th in both human polls and 6th in the computers. It’s expected that should they be 1st in both human polls and perhaps 4th or 5th in the computers, Florida would be #2.

Assuming Florida does beat Alabama and Oklahoma beats Missouri Saturday, here’s the mess we’ll be left with: Florida, Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Penn State and USC all with one loss. Plus Utah, Boise State and Ball State sitting as undefeated mid-majors. If plucking two teams out of that quagmire helps you sleep at night- good for you. But a whole bunch of teams are getting screwed next Sunday when the bowl pairings are officially announced.

Here’s a video that’s comically appropriate for the mess we’re forced to be in thanks to the money-driven university Presidents:

You’re welcome.