For those bemoaning the fact that SEC foes Alabama and LSU will likely play a rematch in the BCS national championship game, you need to get over it.
While Oklahoma State technically has a chance to move ahead of the Crimson Tide in the final BCS standings, the Cowboys simply don’t deserve a shot at LSU.
Even if they defeat Oklahoma on Saturday, the Cowboys gave up their chance to play for the national championship when they lost to unranked Iowa State.
Some will argue if Oklahoma State defeats the Sooners and win the Big 12 championship that the Cowboys should play LSU for the national championship.
Oklahoma State's Loss to Iowa State Ended the Cowboys' chances of playing for a national championship
Alabama won’t have a chance to win the SEC championship because of their loss to LSU. But it’s that loss to the Tigers that sets the Crimson Tide apart from Oklahoma State.
The No.1 Tigers beat Alabama 9-6 in overtime while the Cowboys lost in overtime against a Cyclones’ team that will finish their regular season no better than 7-5.
With a number of one-loss teams vying for the chance to play LSU, only Alabama can make a legitimate claim as the most deserving team.
Stanford has lost only one game this season, but the Cardinal got blown out by an Oregon team that lost to LSU in the season opener.
Virginia Tech is 11-1 with their only loss of the season coming against Clemson on October 1. But the Hokies lost to Clemson by 20 points and the Tigers have since lost three games.
If you’re going to make an argument as being the most deserving one-loss team to face LSU, Alabama’s argument is clearly head and shoulders above the rest.
A rematch for the national championship is a virtual lock because even if the Tigers lose to Georgia in the SEC championship, LSU has an insurmountable lead in the BCS standings.
So regardless of what happens on Saturday, the Tigers and Crimson Tide will likely be ranked No.1 and No. 2 in the final BCS standings.
Having two teams from the same conference play for the national championship might irk some people, but that’s how the BCS system is meant to work.
The BCS system doesn’t take into account which conference a team plays in and despite its imperfections, the system will work this season.
Following the outcomes of Saturday’s games, the BCS will have accomplished what it’s set up to do – ensuring that the nation’s two best teams play for the national championship.
Even if Oklahoma State beats the Sooners, the only thing that will prevent the Tigers and Crimson Tide from playing for the national championship is if the voters in the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Harris Poll have a dramatic change of heart.
But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
All bellyaching in the world isn’t going to change the fact that LSU and Alabama are college football’s best teams.
And if you don’t like that, too bad.
