Posted on 01/03/2005 6:20:10 AM PST by AppyPappy
Auburn Clings to Split Nat'l Title Hopes
By PAUL NEWBERRY NEW ORLEANS (AP) - In college football, it's never too late to get in some last-minute campaigning. No. 3 Auburn did just that, pitching its Sugar Bowl matchup with ninth-ranked Virginia Tech as a co-national championship game.
``You always have hope,'' Auburn athletic director David Housel said. ``Winston Churchill was right. Never, never, never, never, never give up.''
So, on the eve of Monday night's Sugar Bowl, Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville made his pitch: Auburn (12-0) deserves at least a share of the national title if it beats the Hokies.
``There are two national championship games,'' Tuberville insisted. ``There's one here at the Sugar Bowl, and there's another one at the Orange Bowl.''
Never mind that it's No. 1 Southern Cal vs. No. 2 Oklahoma in the Orange - and the winner of Tuesday night's game is assured of being voted BCS national champion in the coaches' poll.
snip The Hokies' other loss, 17-16 to North Carolina State, would have gone the other way if Brandon Pace's 43-yard field goal attempt on the final play had been a couple of feet to the left.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.netscape.cnn.com ...
Auburn deserves to be in the National Championship.
Auburn needs to be worried about the Hokies. Va Tech is #9. #3 beating #9 is not going to put Auburn in the #1 slot.
Utah can make a case for being in a national championship game too. Its been a strange year in that we had 5 undefeated teams and a Louisville team with one defeat that might be able to play with anyone in the nation.
Someone has to be left out of the mix. It isnt fair. I would rather go back to the old system with the history of tradition then the current BSC. And I also think it should be Auburn against USC in the Orange bowl.
But its OK and USC because they went undefeated after having great season's last year.
And last but not least if Auburn wins there should be 2 national champions for the second year in a row. Problem with that is Utah should be in there too.
They need a playoff. Even if they just do #1-4. That would go a long way and raise revenue.
California really looked weak against Texas Tech and they nearly beat USC. Of course these type comparisons could be used to make about any team look good or bad.
I can't really disagree with the polls as they are now except maybe the emphasis on keeping the team which started the season as #1 at the top as long as they win no matter what.
In conference games are tougher because your opponents know you better. Auburn winning the SEC should have made them automatic but I (Hokies) wouldn't want to play OK either.
For the not-so-informed -- why didn't they have Auburn play Utah, since they were both undefeated? Then there would have been two games of undefeated teams playing. Ideally, there should be some kind of playoff game for situations like this. Just my opinion.
And OK State looked horrible against Ohio State, and almost beat OU.
Utah was considered a weaker schedule
Yes but that leaves out some great teams. Someone will always be unhappy and feel left out. This year makes a great case for a playoff.
So many teams undefeated and teams like Texas and Cal who had one lost to the teams playing for the championship. I think Cal is a better team then the one that showed up to play TT but who knows. Louisville who only lost one game to a very good Miami team.
Utah and Louisville may not have done well in a strong conference but in a championship you never know what might happen.
To think its the only big time sport that does not have a playoff. Even the lower div. football has a playoff. They have ruined the long tradition of bowl games so I see no reason not to have that playoff. They can switch off like they do now for the big game or they can start a new one.
Maybe Vegas can build a stadium and have it there every year. That would bring a BIG TIME atmosphere to the game and a lot of fun for all those involved.
I agree. Utah earned it and more or less proved it after dismantling a decent Pitt team.
I should have mentioned that Texas and Cal played OK and USC very very close and almost won. In another matchup they could easily win.
Pitt was not very good this year.
While we're at it, let's give the Longhorns a share.
The best Auburn can hope for is be the #2 ranked team after the dust settles. Claiming that they're playing in the national championship game is ridiculous chest-pounding.
8 team playoff bracket. have another 8 team bracket analogous to the NIT in basketball. Don't give me any crap about stretching out school because 1-AA does it and high school does it. Just cut one game off the season, get rid of the bowl and the top two playoff teams only play one extra game.
No way. The most important thing is the education of the student athlete. Football is just a small part of the college experience for the player. The diploma is the real measure of success.
And if you believe that, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.
My son hopes to play for Virginia Tech. I'm not sure he's aware that classes are involved.
Auburn has a case - just as USC had last year. There will continue to be questions until a playoff system is devised.
(Someone, (I think Coach Tubberville at Auburn) said that we should go to a network, ask for $150,000,000 or so for a playoff, then split the money with EVERY college, and it would benefit everybody).
My thought on tonight's game (for what it's worth): Auburn will have a true, slobber-knocking battle on their hands with Virginia Tech.
I am in a pool on all the bowl games, and when I looked at this matchup, I decided that these two teams are almost like twins in the way they play. 'Should be hard hitting and close.
...but mebbe not as close at that Arizona State/Purdue game when ASU completed a pass literally as time expired in the fourth quarter!
One of most exciting thus far: Boise State vs Louisville.
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