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BCS Controversy: Nebraska's Path to the Title Game Raises Questions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Nebraska fans are cheering on the Cornhuskers as they take on Miami in the Rose Bowl, but the team's path to the national title game has left many questioning the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) rankings. The BCS rankings, which combine the Associated Press and coaches' polls, eight computer-generated power rating polls, strength of schedule, and quality wins, have landed Nebraska in the number two spot, despite the team's inability to win their conference championship.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BCS rankings are a point system that combines poll average, computer average, schedule rank, losses, and quality wins to determine the top four teams.
  • Nebraska's path to the title game has been marked by controversy, including their loss to Colorado, which gave Oklahoma a chance to secure a spot in the title game.
  • The BCS rankings have created multiple teams with legitimate claims to the national title, including Colorado and Oregon.
  • Traditionalists, such as Minnesota men's athletic director Tom Moe, argue that the BCS rankings diminish the importance of regular season games and create an artificial system.
  • Colorado coach Gary Barnett bemoaned the controversy, stating that the BCS rankings are "rich" but ultimately unfair to his team.

Statistics:

  • Nebraska's strength of schedule ranking has improved due to their win over Southern Miss.
  • Rice's ability to win three last-minute games against winless teams has kept Nebraska ahead of Colorado.
  • Nebraska has won 11 games in a row, all of them by 10 points or more.
  • Colorado has scored 101 points and rushed for 601 yards in late-season victories over Nebraska and Texas.
  • Oregon has held only one opponent under 10 points and has blown a 42-28 lead in the fourth quarter against Stanford.

Sources:

  • The Minneapolis Star Tribune article by JIM SOUHAN, staff writer, stanice.rsec

* + Five factors determine the Bowl Championship Series rankings that have landed Miami and Nebraska in the NCAA football championship game Thursday.

  • The Minneapolis Star Tribune article by JIM SOUHAN, staff writer, stanice.rsec

* The BCS system is a complicated way for the six most powerful conferences - the Big Ten, Big East, ACC, SEC, Big 12 and Pac-10 - to maintain their relationships with bowls and make at least $5 million a year per member team off the television contract signed with ABC.

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