The point is that Oregon's record should have been respected. How many times has Notre Dame gone to big bowls just on their reputation? What's right is right, regardless of the gate.
within the BCS if ND gets to #6, it gets an automatic berth.
Same as with Ohio State.
Look, Oregon didn't win it's conference. If you don't win your conference, then you are taking your chances with getting into the BCS.
doesn't mean I like it, but if you don't win your conference, it isn't necessarily the system's fault.
The problem with that point is that they're just not willing to hedge a bet on a program that perpetually fails to meet expectation when playing out of conference against other big boys.
Teams like FSU, ND, Miami, Michigan, Alabama have a history of showing up for the big games. If any of these teams are available with a respectable record in their tough conferences, they are going to get the nod every time.
Until your program builds a rep, you will always be just another Kansas State.