It was explained during the game that Auburn originally had scheduled Bowling Green, but BG pulled out to play Oklahoma leaving Auburn searching for a fill in game. Thats how they got the Citidel. I agree with those who want a playoff, any voting selection has about as much logic as a coin toss. Leave politics out of sports championships. I say this because with the voting, even if USC lost a game and OK lost a game, there are writers and coaches who would not rank AU number one. Voting sucks.
Auburn has known about this schedule problem since late 2002. In fact, in early 2003 West Virginia offered to play Auburn IN Auburn on 25 September 2004, but Auburn turned them down. Auburn later scheduled the Citadel. West Virginia then scheduled James Madison for 25 September. Auburn scheduled the Citadel so they could have an easy game between LSU (18 Sep) and Tennessee (2 Oct). On 25 September 2004, West Virginia defeated Div-1AA James Madison 45-10 and Auburn defeated Div-1AA The Citadel 33-3.