Overall McMNC Analysis: Part Three & Conclusion

The BCS Years are a mess, of course.

In 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, I agreed with the BCS determination of the MNC. However, I did so grudgingly in 1999, 2000 and 2001 when the BCS screwed up the choice of the #2 team for the "title" game.

Interesting years? In 1998, Sagarin chose Ohio State as his #1 (they were my No. 2). In 2002, Dunkel, Matthews and Sagarin chose USC as their #1 (they were my No. 4).

The years I chose a different champion than the BCS did were 2003, 2006 and 2007. In the first of those years (2003), the AP, Eck, Matthews and the NY Times also picked USC -- so I certainly wasn't alone. But it surprises me so many of the other selectors chose LSU: they had a worse loss, a worse bowl win and lesser results against common opponents. I see this as the distinct beginning of the "SEC bias" mentality that is now dominating the college football scene, for better or for worse.

However, it is also interesting to note that USC was the unanimous champion in 2004 over Auburn, for at least two of the same reasons noted above.

In 2006, I stood alone, of course, in selecting Boise State. The BCS had a clusterfuck to separate for the #2 title slot, and Florida got the opportunity to take down a flawed Ohio State squad when four other teams probably could have done the same. Why choose Florida over those four other teams? Boise State may be my most radical McMNC call of the whole analysis, but oh well. They went undefeated, they beat a BCS big boy in the bowl game, and they deserved it in my mind.

Finally, 2007 was a disgrace to the entire college football scene. In choosing West Virginia over USC and LSU, I am bucking conventional wisdom, for sure. But I really couldn't understand why LSU was chosen as #2 over Kansas, USC and WVU in the first place, although I am sure the preseason expectations had a lot to do with it. LSU shot itself in the foot twice against unranked teams (while KU only lost to #4) but survived simply because people believed the SEC was "so good" -- although a closer look at SEC OOC schedules really shows most SEC teams to be around .500 against quality competition. I know this is a point of contention on RSFC, and it will be for a long time. But potential and expectation didn't sway my viewpoints, as it did so many "voters" in the laughable BCS polls -- which we have seen to be easily manipulated on multiple occasions by coaches' pleas, conference commissioners and bowl representatives.

Either way, I stood alone again in 2007. So I stood alone twice in the ten years of the BCS. Overall, I picked eight champions that no one else did in 73 seasons -- agreeing with "experts" 89% of the time. Most of my McMNCs went to worthy teams in the estimation of others, while 11% of my picks strayed from mainstream thought/analysis.

That's not a high percentage, and it's one I can live with and sleep soundly upon, for we all know RSFCkers are smr4t3r than the mediots, anyway.

One idea that was floated on RSFC was that of "chance" opening the door for both Florida in 2006 and LSU in 2007. Say USC hadn't lost to UCLA at the end of 2006, for example. Do the one-loss Trojans beat Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl? Probably. Does Florida win their bowl game? Probably. So why would anyone pick USC over Florida for the AP title if Florida was so good? This is the issue with the BCS is most years: it is a flawed system that leaves the selection of the top two teams to chance and the easily-manipulated polls. It's a flawed system, and therefore, no BCS champion can really be considered "real" or "absolute" or "concrete". Likewise, if West Virginia beats Pitt in 2007, LSU can't sniff the BCS title game. But wouldn't they still be considered "better" than either Ohio State or the Mountaineers, if what the mediots and/or RSFCkers would have us believe?

Problems left, problems right. The BCS sucks.

Anyway, that's that. The 2008 season starts tomorrow, and it will bring more controversy and confusion to our fingertips, no doubt. I hope you have enjoyed the experience this off-season, and thanks to interesting information I came across in these studies, I have already decided what to do for Offseason 2009 ...

But you'll have to wait until the second week of January to find out what it is.

Overall McMNC Analysis: Part Two

How off in left field was I on some of these picks? Well, using this list (http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html) we can analyze in context, somewhat.

Up to the BCS Years, I stood alone in my picks six times in 62 seasons: 1942, 1943, 1953, 1965, 1969, 1977. Overall, that's not too bad. Agreeing with the "experts" 90% of the time demonstrates I'm not crazy, that's for sure.

See below for a year-by-year account:

1936: I picked Pittsburgh over Minnesota. While Minnesota was a consensus champ, Boand, Football Research, and Houlgate agreed with me. Williamson chose LSU, my No. 6 pick.

1937: I picked California over Pittsburgh. While Pitt was the consensus champ, Dunkel and Helms agreed with me.

1938: I picked Tennessee over TCU. Both schools were named by a lot of selectors, and Billingsley, Boand, Dunkel, Football Research, Houlgate, Litkenhous, Poling, and Sagarin agreed with my pick. Also, Dickinson picked Notre Dame -- which I left out of my Top 5.

1939: I confirmed Texas A&M, the consensus champion. However, Dickinson selected USC (my #2), while Billingsley and Litkenhous chose Cornell (not in my analysis).

1940: I picked Stanford over Minnesota, the consensus champ. Helms and Poling agreed with me, while Dunkel and Williamson went for Tennessee, my No. 6 team.

1941: I confirmed Minnesota, the consensus champion. But Berryman and Williamson went for Texas (unranked by me) and Houlgate chose Alabama (also unranked by me).

1942: This was the first major deviation year, as the majority of selectors picked between Georgia (my #2) and Ohio State (my #4). Helms chose Wisconsin (my #3). By picking Tennessee, I was standing alone here, but I felt Tennessee should have been a co-champion in the SEC due to the uneven scheduling.

1943: I stand alone again in 1943, as every selector chose 9-1 Notre Dame as their national champion despite the fact Purdue was undefeated and had beaten the team that beat the Irish. I don't think this was a reach, although the SOS was certainly in Notre Dame's favor this season. I had them No. 2 in my analysis.

1944: I picked Ohio State over Army, the consensus champion. However, I do not stand alone as the National Championship Foundation split its selection between Army and Ohio State this year. I didn't rank military academies around war periods, as noted.

1945: I picked Alabama over Army, the consensus champion. However, I do not stand alone as the National Championship Foundation split its selection between Army and Alabama this year. I didn't rank military academies around war periods, as noted.

1946: I picked Georgia over Notre Dame, the consensus champion. However, Boand, Football Research, Helms, Houlgate, and Poling all picked Army in one form or another. I do not stand alone, either, as Williamson picked the Bulldogs as well. I placed Notre Dame No. 2, of course.

1947: I confirmed Michigan as the consensus champion this year, although AP, Helms (split selection) and Williamson all selected Notre Dame. I again placed the Irish No. 2 in my final rankings.

1948: I confirmed Michigan as the unanimous champion this year.

1949: I picked Oklahoma over Notre Dame, the consensus champion. I do not stand alone, however, as Football Research also selected the Sooners. Notre Dame won its usual No. 2 spot in my final analysis.

1950: This was another split year, as selectors chose from four schools. I picked Tennessee, along with Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research and the National Championship Foundation. AP, Berryman, Helms, Litkenhous, UPI and Williamson all chose Oklahoma (my #4). Sagarin selected Kentucky (my #2), while Boand and Poling chose Princeton (not in my rankings).

1951: Five different teams were selected as MNCs in 1951, and by picking Illinois, I joined Boand (split selection) in that camp. Berryman and Boand (split) chose Georgia Tech (my #3). DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research, National Championship Foundation and Sagarin chose Maryland (my #2). Billingsley, Helms and Poling selected Michigan State (my #4), and AP, Litkenhous, UPI and Williamson picked Tennessee (my #5). Quite a season, for sure.

1952: I picked Georgia Tech over Michigan State, the consensus champion. But Berryman, INS and Poling agreed with my analysis.

1953: I stood alone in picking Michigan State. AP, INS and UPI chose Maryland (my #5), while Billingsley, Boand, DeVold, Dunkel, Helms, Litkenhous, National Championship Foundation, Poling, Sagarin and Williamson chose Notre Dame (my #2). Berryman and Football Research even picked Oklahoma (my #3). This was a year where the bowl games mattered in my mind, since Maryland lost theirs and Notre Dame didn't play in one.

1954: Two teams were picked by all the selectors, UCLA and Ohio State. I picked the Buckeyes over UCLA, based simply on the bowl game Ohio State played that UCLA did not.

1955: I confirmed Oklahoma as the consensus champion, although Boand chosen Michigan State (my #2). The Sooners' SOS was very poor, but the Spartans didn't win the Big Ten. Otherwise, they would have been my pick, too.

1956: I chose Iowa over Oklahoma, the consensus champion. But I wasn't alone in ditching the Sooners: Football Research agreed with my Hawkeyes pick, while Berryman chose Georgia Tech (my #4) and Sagarin selected Tennessee (my #3). The Sooners' truly laughable SOS sunk them: one victory over a winning team and no bowl game.

1957: I chose Oklahoma in a year where three teams garnered a lot of support and a fourth team was also selected. Despite being on probation, Auburn was selected by AP, Football Research, Helms, National Championship Foundation, Poling and Williamson. Michigan State (my #4 because they didn't win the Big Ten) won accolades from Billingsley, Dunkel and Sagarin. Ohio State (my #3) topped the lists of Boand, DeVold, FW, INS, Litkenhous and UPI. Only Berryman chose Oklahoma with me. No selector chose my #2, Mississippi.

1958: I confirmed LSU as the consensus champion, while only FW chose Iowa (my #2).

1959: I confirmed Syracuse as the consensus champion, although Berryman, Billingsley, Dunkel and Sagarin selected Mississippi (my #4).

1960: Five teams were selected in 1960 as MNCs, but only one selector (Helms) agreed with my pick of Washington. Berryman, Boand, Litkenhous and Sagarin selected Iowa (my #4), while AP, FB News, NFF and UPI chose Minnesota (my #5). Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research, FW, National Championship Foundation and Williamson all liked Mississippi (my #2), and Poling chose Missouri (my #3). Another crazy year, indeed.

1961: I confirmed Alabama as the consensus champion, while FW and Poling chose Ohio State (my #3).

1962: I chose Mississippi over consensus champion USC, and Litkenhous agreed with me. Billingsley went for Alabama (my #3), while Berryman gave LSU (my #4) a split with USC.

1963: I confirmed Texas as the unanimous champion.

1964: Three teams won at least four selectors this year, but I chose Arkansas in agreement with Billingsley, Football Research, FW, Helms, National Championship Foundation and Poling. My #2 (Michigan) was chosen by Dunkel, while my #3 (Notre Dame) was selected by DeVold, FB News, NFF and Sagarin. Alabama (my #4) was the champion for AP, Berryman, Litkenhous and UPI.

1965: Alabama and Michigan State split all the selectors this year, but I stood alone in gifting the McMNC to UCLA. The Tide was my #2 team, and Michigan State was my #4 team.

1966: I confirmed Notre Dame as the consensus champion, although Alabama (my #2) was chosen by Berryman. Michigan State (my #4) also got some MNC love from Football Research, Helms (split with ND), NFF (split) and Poling (split).

1967: I confirmed USC as the consensus champion. By the way, Dunkel picked Notre Dame, (out of my Top 5, since they lost to the Trojans), Poling picked Oklahoma (my #2), and Litkenhous selected Tennessee (my #3).

1968: I confirmed Ohio State as the consensus champion, although Georgia (Litkenhous) and Texas (DeVold, Matthews, Sagarin) also won some MNC love. I didn't rank Georgia, and I had Texas at No. 3 for the year.

1969: I stood alone in picking USC in 1969 over consensus champion Texas. Penn State (my #2) was selected by FACT in a split with Texas, while Matthews chose Ohio State (my #4).

1970: I confirmed Nebraska as the consensus champion, although four other teams also got MNC affection this year. Poling chose Arizona State (my #3), while Berryman, FACT (split), Litkenhous, NFF (split), Sagarin and UPI all chose Texas (my #4). FACT (split) and Matthews chose Notre Dame (my #2), while NFF (split) chose Ohio State (my #5). Another ridiculous year, clearly.

1971: I confirmed Nebraska as the unanimous champion.

1972: I confirmed USC as the unanimous champion.

1973: Five different teams earned MNC selections in this year, but I chose Notre Dame -- along with AP, FB News, FW, Helms, National Championship Foundation (split) and NFF. Alabama (my #5) was chosen by Berryman and UPI; Michigan (my #4) was selected by National Championship Foundation (split) and Poling (split); Ohio State (my #3) was chosen by FACT, National Championship Foundation (split) and Poling (split). Finally, despite being on probation, Oklahoma was selected by Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research and Sagarin. Sadly enough, 12-0 Penn State didn't get a single selector despite finishing #2 in my rankings. Another clusterfuck season, to be sure.

1974: I chose USC over on-probation/consensus champion Oklahoma. Choosing the Trojans with me were FW, Helms, National Championship Foundation, NFF and UPI. Ohio State (not in my Top 5) was chosen by Matthews.

1975: I confirmed Oklahoma as the consensus champion. However, three other teams also got attention from selectors. Ohio State (my #4) was chosen by Berryman, FACT (split), Helms (split), Matthews (split) and Poling. Arizona State (my #2) was selected by National Championship Foundation* and The Sporting News. Also, Alabama (my #3) got a split from Matthews to claim a sliver this year.

1976: I confirmed consensus champion Pittsburgh, also USC (my #2) got selected by Berryman, Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research and Matthews.

1977: I chose Penn State over consensus champion Notre Dame (my #3). Four teams were honored this year, but Penn State was not one of them so I stand alone here. Texas (my #5) was selected by Berryman and FACT (split), while Arkansas (my #4) and Alabama (my #2) each got split titles (FACT and Football Research, respectively).

1978: Three teams split all the selectors this year, and I chose USC -- along with Berryman, FACT (split), FB News, Helms (split), National Championship Foundation (split), Sporting News and UPI. Oklahoma (my #4) was supported by Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, FACT (split), Helms (split), Litkenhous, Matthews, Poling and Sagarin; Alabama (my #2) was the third team, with AP, FACT (split), Football Research, FW, Helms (split), National Championship Foundation (split) and NFF titles. Messy season, for sure.

1979: I selected USC over consensus champion Alabama. And I was not alone, as Football Research agreed with me.

1980: Five different teams won MNCs in this year, although Georgia won the most. However, I picked Pittsburgh over Georgia -- and I wasn't alone. DeVold, FACT (split), Football Research and the NY Times also picked the Panthers. Interestingly enough, Billingsley, Dunkel and Matthews chose Oklahoma (not in my Top 5). FACT (split) and Sagarin chose Nebraska (not in my Top 5), while FACT (split) also chose Florida State (not in my Top 5).

1981: Six different team were selected in this season, although Clemson was the consensus champion. But they were not mine. I agreed with Dunkel in choosing Penn State. The National Championship Foundation made a mockery of their title by splitting it five ways: Clemson (my #2), Nebraska, Pittsburgh (my #3), Texas (my #4) and SMU all got a slice. Whatever!

1982: I confirmed Penn State as the consensus champion, although Berryman chose Nebraska (my #3) and Helms chose SMU (my #5).

1983: Along with FACT (split), Football Research and the NY Times, I chose Auburn over consensus champion Miami-FL. Also, Berryman, DeVold, FACT (split), Litkenhous, Matthews, Poling and Sagarin selected Nebraska (my #3).

1984: I chose Brigham Young this year, like AP, Football Research, FW, National Championship Foundation (split), NFF, Poling, UPI and USA/CNN. However, three other teams got nods, too, from selectors. Florida (not in my rankings) was pegged by Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, FACT, Matthews, NY Times, Sagarin, and The Sporting News. Litkenhous chose Nebraska (my #4), while Berryman, FB News, and the National Championship Foundation (split) selected Washington (my #2).

1985: I confirmed Oklahoma as the consensus champion, while Matthews and Sagarin selected Michigan (my #3).

1986: I confirmed Penn State as the consensus champion, although Berryman, DeVold, Dunkel, Football Research, NY Times and Sagarin selected Oklahoma (my #3). Miami-FL was chosen by FACT (split).

1987: I confirmed Miami-FL as the consensus champion, although Berryman and Sagarin chose Florida State (my #3).

1988: I confirmed Notre Dame as the consensus champion, although Berryman selected Miami-FL (my #2).

1989: I confirmed Miami-FL as the consensus champion, although Berryman, Eck, FACT (split) and Sagarin selected Notre Dame (my #3).

1990: I chose Georgia Tech over consensus champion Colorado, along with selectors Dunkel, FACT (split), National Championship Foundation (split) and UPI. But Miami-FL (my #3) was chosen by Billingsley, Eck, FACT (split), NY Times and Sagarin, while FACT (split) also nabbed Washington (my #4).

1991: I chose Washington over Miami-FL in this split consensus season.

1992: I confirmed Alabama as the consensus champion. Only Sagarin went astray this year, giving Florida State (my #3) the nod.

1993: I chose Notre Dame over Florida State, the consensus champion. Agreeing with me were Matthews and National Championship Foundation (split). Auburn (not in my rankings) and Nebraska (my #3) also got split nods from NCF.

1994: I selected Penn State over Nebraska in a year of split consensus. Agreeing with me were selectors DeVold, Eck, FACT (split), Matthews, National Championship Foundation (split), NY Times and Sagarin. Surprisingly, Dunkel chose Florida State (my #5).

1995: I confirmed the unanimous champion, Nebraska.

1996: I confirmed the consensus champion, Florida. Although Alderson did select Florida State (my #5).

1997: I selected Nebraska over Michigan in a year of splits, as most selectors went with the Cornhuskers, too. Choosing the Wolverines were AP, FB News, FW, National Championship Foundation (split), NFF, and The Sporting News.

Overall McMNC Analysis: Part One

The big winners in my analysis? Penn State, USC, Washington, Georgia Tech and Tennessee. The Nittany Lions netted three MNCs, while the Trojans, the Huskies, the Yellowjackets and the Vols each netted two MNCs.

Ten schools netted one MNC, while ten schools maintained their MNC totals (albeit some losing one while gaining another). Eight schools lost an MNC from their previous total.

The big losers were Notre Dame, Alabama, Minnesota, Miami-FL, LSU and Army. The Irish lost four MNCs overall, while the Tide and the Gophers each lost three MNCs from their tally. The 'Canes, Tigers and the Cadets each lost two MNCs.

Conference-wise, the breakdown was as follows: current Pac-10 members gained seven MNCs, while current Big Ten members gained three MNCs. Current Big XII members lost two MNCs, while current Big East members gained one MNC. Finally, current ACC members lost three MNCs, while current SEC members also lost two MNCs. Non-BCS schools gained an MNC. Of course, I am sure someone will scream, "Pac-10 Bias!", failing to realize the inherent East Coast media bias that already existed in the AP poll since its creation.

Overall, the teams with the most McMNCS, period, were USC (7), Oklahoma (6), Penn State (5), Tennessee (4), Nebraska (4), Ohio State (4), Notre Dame (4), Alabama (3), Pittsburgh (3) and Miami-FL (3). You know, the usual suspects. Other teams with multiple McMNCs (two, in this case) were Washington, Georgia Tech, Michigan, and Texas. Nineteen schools won a single McMNC apiece.

Overall, there wasn't a lot of dramatic shifting of titles here. Notre Dame and Alabama got the worst of it, and I suspect it's probably because a lot of voters merely saw the grandeur in certain years and ignored some straight-forward facts. Of course, I know this is a matter of opinion, but without "markee valyoo", you just have some numbers on a piece of paper -- and the Irish and Tide suffered for that legendary status in my analysis, while another legend (Joe Paterno) demonstrated he's quite underrated in his time.

Schools that were stripped of MNCs they probably never should have won in the first place? TCU, Maryland, Clemson and Colorado. Yes, I'm leaving Army off this "stripped" list, for reasons explained previously: it's not disrespect, but it is more realistic. Did you know, for example, that a keystone of the 1944-46 Army teams -- Doc Blanchard -- was drafted after his first year at North Carolina and sent to West Point to play football? Also, players who had used up their eligibility at other schools could still play for the military academies/bases. That just isn't right or fair when determining an MNC for the war years.

More to come ...

2007 McMNC: West Virginia Mountaineers

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. LSU: 12-2 -- W, BCS, 38-24
2. Georgia: 11-2 -- W, Sugar, 41-10
3. USC: 11-2 -- W, Rose, 49-17
4. Missouri: 12-2 -- W, Cotton, 38-7
5. Ohio State: 11-2 -- L, BCS, 24-38
6. West Virginia: 11-2 -- W, Fiesta, 48-28
7. Kansas: 12-1 -- W, Orange, 24-21
8. Oklahoma: 11-3 -- L, Fiesta, 28-48
9. Virginia Tech: 11-3 -- L, Orange, 21-24
10. Texas 10-3 -- W, Holiday, 52-34

There's a part of me that wants to go back and change the rules. I don't see how a BCS team can go 12-1 with its only loss being by single digits to the #4 team in the country and NOT be ranked #1, regardless of SOS issues. Kansas really should have been in the BCS title game instead of LSU, and it mystifies me how the BCS continues to justify its existence by simply pandering itself to certain influential whims (2004 Texas, for example, not to mention 2006 Florida and 2007 LSU).

But it's been my rule all along that no team which doesn't win its conference can be named the McMNC. If this were a tournament selection analysis, then Kansas would be in that tournament, of course -- with a chance to prove it on the field. But it's not. I've tried to isolate one team, each year, with the best credentials regardless of popularity contests and power brokering.

But it is a shame: Kansas was the best team in college football in 2007 by most of my usual standards, but because they lost their last regular season game by eight points to #4 Missouri, they have no chance at the McMNC.

Which really leaves us with just three teams which won their conference, won their bowl game and finished with two or fewer losses: LSU, USC, and West Virginia. Each has serious flaws, and each has serious strengths. Choosing one of them is the proverbial challenge of splitting hairs -- just as "choosing" LSU to face Ohio State in the BCS title game was the same proverbial challenge.

Each team is a two-loss BCS conference champion which won its bowl game. The best bowl win of the bunch? Probably West Virginia's win over Oklahoma, for it was a surprise AND a blowout. Everyone pretty much expected LSU and USC to win their bowl games the way they did, so the Mountaineers get a distinct edge here.

Worst loss? This is tough one. Is it West Virginia's choke job at home against Pitt? Is it USC's home loss to The Fraudulent Farm (stanfordsucks)? Is it LSU's home loss to Arkansas where the Tigers gave up 50 points? All of those are pretty bad losses, in truth. No McMNC should be losing to a poor team at home, and no McMNC should be giving up 50 points in a game, no matter how many OTs occur.

So that's a wash. As noted, each team has serious flaws, and I don't think any of them are forgivable.

So on to the positive column!

LSU beat a lot of good teams: they shutout 8-5 Mississippi State (OOC opponents: UAB, Garder-Webb and Tulane which went a combined 11-24 -- making MSU a .500 team against real competition) on the road by 45 points, they beat ACC champion Virginia Tech by 41 points at home, they beat 9-4 Florida (OOC opponents: Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Western Kentucky, Troy) at home by four points, they beat 9-4 Auburn (OOC opponents: New Mexico State, South Florida, Kansas State and Tennessee Tech) at home by six points, they beat 7-6 Alabama (OOC opponents: Western Carolina, Florida State, Houston, and Louisiana-Monroe which went a combined 22-27 -- making 'Bama a sub-.500 team against real competition) on the road by seven points, they beat 10-4 Tennessee in the SEC title game by seven points, and they beat Big Ten champion Ohio State by 14 points in the BCS title game. It's an interesting season for the Tigers, though: the first two games were probably the best games they played all year, and in truth, both are irrelevant. Why? Because almost 25 minutes into the MSU game, it was only 3-0. And the Hokie game? Basically, you can throw that out due to the immense emotional challenge the Virginia Tech squad faced after the campus massacre in Spring 2007. Sure, LSU squeaked through four tough SEC games by single digits, but they also lost two of them (albeit in OT). Sure, they beat Ohio State, but they didn't beat them like Florida beat them in 2006. Very little about LSU's season was impressive to the point you'd say, "Wow!" Their SOS rating (58%) was very good, but playing Middle Tennessee State, Tulane and Louisiana Tech for OOC opponents is typical SEC junk (see above). When every team in the conference builds its OOC schedule this way, it does make the SOS rating a little hollow -- which surprises me that the mediots haven't figured this out yet as they scramble to anoint a new SEC "power" every season. Finally, LSU didn't even have to play the second-best team in the SEC: Georgia. The Bulldogs finished #2 in the AP poll, but they never faced the Tigers -- who is to say that LSU was *really* the SEC champion? This harkens back to all the unbalanced scheduling the SEC had problems with in years past. No one is going to argue that Tennessee was the second-best SEC team, are they? The Vols lost to 7-6 Cal, lost by 39 at Florida and lost by 24 at Alabama. They may have been the worst 10-win team ever. LSU may have a nice SOS on paper, but in reality, their weak wins over SEC teams who also scheduled OOC pansies is telling. And with two losses over 8-5 SEC also-rans Kentucky (OOC slate including Eastern Kentucky, Florida Atlantic and Kent State) and Arkansas (Troy, North Texas, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Florida International), LSU basically lost to two teams that were under at or under .500 against real BCS competition in 2007. So they have their highs and lows -- and a lot of talent, as no one can deny. But that doesn't mean they were the "best" team. Transitive score fun? LSU beat MSU 45-0 on the road; West Virginia beat MSU 38-13 at home.

USC scheduled Nebraska (on the road) and Notre Dame (on the road) as their OOC opponents, although Idaho is also thrown into the fray (which was a favor the Trokans gave to a former assistant, IIRC). That still gives the Trojans a better OOC quality than LSU, however, even though the Huskers and the Irish were a combined 8-16 in 2007 -- at least USC *tried* to schedule good BCS teams. Regardless, the Trojans didn't play as tough as schedule as the Tigers on paper: they beat 9-4 Oregon State (OOC: Utah, Cincinnati, and Idaho State, which went a combined 22-15) at home by 21 points, they beat 7-6 California on the road by seven points, they beat 10-3 Arizona State on the road by 20 points, and they beat 9-4 Illinois in the Rose Bowl by 32 points. Their 47% SOS rating is downright average at best, and USC didn't beat a winning team until November 3. They lost at home to 4-8 Stanford by a point in a game they never should have lost, of course, and they lost to then-#2 9-4 Oregon (with Dennis Dixon) on the road by seven points. Considering Dixon was still healthy and clicking that day, the loss isn't a bad one. But the loss to The Cardinal is pretty bad. Transitive score fun? Illinois beat Ohio State on the road by seven points, and LSU beat Ohio State at home by 14 points. USC beat Illinois at home by 32 points.

West Virginia could have put this all to rest by simply beating Pittsburgh in their last regular season game. But we know they choked. Do they even get a second chance? Of course! This is Division I-A college football, where everyone gets a second (or third?) chance despite the fact the regular season *is* a tournament! The Mountaineers' other loss was on the road to 9-4 South Florida by eight points. Not a great loss, but a respectable one. Just for comparative terms? USF's OOC opponents included Elon, North Carolina, Florida Atlantic and Central Florida. Not exactly stellar, but it still keeps the Bulls above .500 on the year -- which is more than Kentucky and Arkansas can say for their OOC boosts. The Mountaineers (55% SOS rating) did beat 8-5 East Carolina (OOC: Virginia Tech, UNC, West Virginia and N.C. State) by 41 points at home, 8-5 Mississippi State (OOC: see above) by 25 points at home, 8-5 Rutgers (OOC: SUNY-Buffalo, Navy, Norfolk State) by 28 points on the road, 10-3 Cincinnati (OOC: Oregon State, Miami-FL and some creampuffs) by five points on the road, 9-4 Connecticut (OOC: Duke, Maine, Temple, Akron) by 45 points at home, and 11-3 Oklahoma (North Texas, Utah State, Miami-FL and Tulsa) by 20 points in the Fiesta Bowl.

West Virginia beat six winning teams on the season, while LSU beat seven winning teams and USC beat four winning teams. The Mountaineers had the best bowl win, while LSU had the best schedule strength (sort of; this OOC issue is just ugly for the SEC). West Virginia had the worst loss, while LSU had big wins over two Top 10 teams (SOS, again, spoken differently).

LSU dodged a bullet with the unbalanced scheduling of the SEC, avoiding its best potential conference foe. USC and West Virginia? Had to play every team in their conferences. All teams lost twice in conference play, but LSU avoided 11-2 Georgia and 5-7 Vanderbilt in the SEC. If USC and West Virginia could avoid similar teams in their conference play, perhaps the Trojans would have skipped games against 9-4 Oregon and 4-8 Stanford -- instead scheduling San Diego State and Pacific as OOC patsies. Perhaps the Mountaineers would have skipped games against 9-4 South Florida and 5-7 Pittsburgh -- instead scheduling OOC patsies Temple and The Citadel. LSU may have won the SEC, but they did so without having to face its next-best team -- and that's a crock of shit. I suspect LSU would have lost to Georgia on the road, considering LSU's unimpressive road performances against mediocre Kentucky, mediocre Alabama and overrated Tennessee in the SEC title game.

SOS: LSU, WVU, USC -- On paper, LSU played the most winning teams with the best overall win percentage, even though SEC scheduling breaks saved them from a potential loss while Pac-10 and Big East scheduling balance probably cost USC and West Virginia potential wins.

Bowl Win: WVU, USC, LSU -- West Virginia pounded a good Oklahoma team when no one expected them to, and LSU actually trailed Ohio State in their bowl game.

Best Losses: USC, WVU, LSU -- The Trojans lost to a highly-ranked team on the road and only lost by a point in their bad loss, while WVU lost to good team on the road and lost by four points at home in their bad loss. And, as noted above, LSU basically lost TWICE to barely (if that) .500 teams who padded their schedules with pancakes. No team that beat them was truly a good team. FWIW, Oregon -- even without Dennis Dixon -- pounded USF in their bowl game by 35 points. All have bad losses, but USC has the "best" losses overall, contextually. And when you're dealing with two-loss teams, this really matters.

Total that up? WVU (1-2-0), USC (1-1-1), LSU (1-0-2). Not very scientific, but it is telling. Who do I think would have won on the field in a round-robin? USC, easily. We all know what it takes to beat USC in a bowl game, and Vince Young wasn't dressed for LSU in 2007.

That gives me my answer: West Virginia wins the McMNC, because in the end, their SOS was almost as good as LSU's SOS, their bowl win was the best of the TUCs, and their losses weren't as bad as LSU's losses.

McMNC Revisions
1. West Virginia
2. Kansas
3. USC
4. LSU
5. Hawai'i
6. Georgia
7. Missouri
8. Ohio State

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Florida: =1996, -2006
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

2006 McMNC: Boise State Broncos

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Florida: 13-1-0 -- W, BCS, 41-14
2. Ohio State: 12-1-0 -- L, BCS, 14-41
3. LSU: 11-2-0 -- W, Sugar, 41-14
4. USC: 11-2-0 -- W, Rose, 32-18
5. Boise State: 13-0-0 -- W, Fiesta, 43-42
6. Louisville: 12-1-0 -- W, Orange, 24-13
7. Wisconsin: 12-1-0 -- W, Capital One, 17-14
8. Michigan: 11-2-0 -- L, Rose, 18-32
9. Auburn: 11-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 17-14
10. West Virginia: 11-2-0 -- W, Gator, 38-35

Side note: six of the Top 10 teams were from the Big Ten and the SEC. Hmmmm. Makes you wonder why the other four conferences don't want a playoff, eh?

What a mess this was for the BCS. Considering the debates that raged on between Michigan and Florida for the #2 slot in the title game -- while neglecting title-worthy Louisville and Boise State -- just created another BCS clusterfuck.

TUCs are Florida, Boise State and Louisville -- as Wisconsin didn't win the Big Ten, and Ohio State lost its bowl game.

Louisville: With a 57% SOS rating, the Cardinals do belong in this discussion. Their one loss was on the road by three points to AP #12 Rutgers (11-2), and Louisville had wins over unranked 8-5 Kentucky by 31 points at home, over unranked 7-6 Miami-FL by 24 points at home, over unranked 7-6 Kansas State by 18 points on the road, over unranked 8-5 Cincinnati at home by six points, over #10 West Virginia by ten points at home, over unranked 9-4 South Florida by 23 points at home, and over AP #18 Wake Forest (11-3) by 11 points in the Orange Bowl. While they only had two wins over ranked teams, their SOS stands up to scrutiny (see below).

Boise State: Their 50% SOS rating is average, of course, but they didn't lose to anyone, either. They beat AP #21 Oregon State (10-4) by 28 points at home, they beat USA #24 Hawaii (11-3) by seven points at home, they beat unranked 8-5 Utah by 33 points on the road, they beat unranked 9-4 San Jose State on the road by three points, they beat unranked 8-5 Nevada on the road by 31 points, and they beat AP #11 Oklahoma (11-3) by a point in the Fiesta Bowl. Beating three ranked teams -- two from power conferences -- solidifies their legitimacy and completes that multi-year journey from small conference also-ran to big-time MNC contender.

Florida: They had an outstanding 61% SOS rating. Their one loss? On the road to #9 Auburn by ten points. They beat unranked 9-5 Southern Mississippi by 27 points, they beat AP #25 Tennessee (9-4) by one point on the road, they beat unranked 8-5 Kentucky at home by 19 points, they beat #3 LSU at home by 13 points, they beat AP #23 Georgia (9-4) by seven points at home, they beat unranked 8-5 South Carolina by one point at home, they beat unranked 7-6 Florida State by seven points on the road, they beat AP #15 Arkansas (10-4) in the SEC title game by ten points, and they beat #2 Ohio State by 27 points in the BCS title game. They beat nine winning teams in 2006, which is pretty amazing.

But Florida did lose a game (by double digits, no less), as did Louisville. Boise State did not.

Now, in the past, a double-digit edge in SOS rating was qualified as enough to overcome a loss in my McMNC analysis if the team with the better W/L record was deemed inferior enough. Without reviewing all my posts, however, I have no idea if an undefeated team with a 50% SOS rating was ever ousted from its McMNC perch by a team with a loss.

First, we have to eliminate one of the one-loss teams. Florida has the SOS edge on Louisville, but the Cardinals have a better loss -- leaving the Gators still slightly ahead. Common opponents? Both teams beat Kentucky: Florida by 19 points at home, Louisville by 31 points at home. Distinct edge, Louisville.

I don't see much difference between Louisville and Florida on paper, in fact. The Gators' OOC slate? Typical SEC modern fare: three directionals (Central Florida and Western Carolina were the other two) and Florida State, for a composite 22-28 record. Louisville's OOC foes? Kentucky, Temple, Miami-FL, Kansas State and Middle Tennessee State (30-34 overall combined). Neither was impressive, but Louisville scheduled more BCS teams on their OOC.

We'll get back to this (if we need to?).

Is Boise State's status as the only unbeaten approachable? One key factor was the Broncos' win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. The Sooners were 11-2 and the Big XII champions coming into this game. In reality, they should have been 12-1 and in the discussion with Florida for the BCS title game slot. Remember the Oregon game where the officials screwed up so thoroughly and cost the Sooners a win (http://youtube.com/watch?v=IGgd12VzLWA)? The Sooners' only real loss was an 18-point beating by AP #13 Texas (10-3). Basically, Oklahoma was good enough to take Florida's spot in the BCS title game if officials hadn't screwed them up. This is akin to Colorado's Fifth Down nonsense in 1990, basically. The Sooners should have been 12-1 and a BCS title game contender in 2006.

And Boise State beat them.

What this shows is that the Broncos could hang with the best of the BCS teams in 2006. There was little separating Florida, Louisville, Michigan (59% SOS) and Oklahoma (54% SOS) on paper at the end of the regular season. Florida was chosen to face #1 Ohio State mostly because people didn't want a rematch of Michigan-Ohio State and the trendy SEC love affair currently in vogue, but it easily could have been one of the other three teams above (assuming the officials had done their job correctly in Eugene).

And it should have been Boise State, in fact, chosen to face the Buckeyes.

Just because the BCS screwed up does not mean the debate between Florida and Louisville is irrelevant, but Boise State was good enough to claim the McMNC with its undefeated season, its SOS, and most importantly, its win over Big XII champion and BCS title game-worthy Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

McMNC Revisions
1. Boise State
2. Florida
3. Louisville
4. Ohio State
5. Wisconsin

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
LSU: =1958, -2003
Florida: =1996, -2006
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

2005 McMNC: Texas Longhorns

AP Top 11: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Texas: 13-0-0 -- W, Rose, 41-38
2. USC: 12-1-0 -- L, Rose, 38-41
3. Penn State: 11-1-0 -- W, Orange, 24-21
4. Ohio State: 10-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 34-20
5. West Virginia: 11-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 38-35
6. LSU: 11-2-0 -- W, Peach, 40-3
7. Virginia Tech: 11-2-0 -- W, Gator, 35-24
8. Alabama: 10-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 13-10
9. Notre Dame: 9-3-0 -- L, Fiesta, 20-34
10. Georgia: 10-3-0 -- L, Sugar, 35-38
11. TCU: 11-1-0 -- W, Houston, 27-24

Probably not much to discuss here, as the BCS title game was a fantastic one, of course. TUCs? Texas, Penn State, West Virginia and TCU. Of course, the last three will have to have amazing SOS ratings to overcome the Longhorns.

Penn State: 55% SOS rating, with that loss to unranked 7-5 Michigan's timekeeper on the road by two points. We were THAT close to having three major-conference undefeated teams at the end of the regular season (again).

West Virginia: 53% SOS rating, with a home loss by 17 points to #7 Virginia Tech. Not great.

TCU: 46% SOS rating, with an 11-point road loss to a sub-.500 SMU team. Forget it.

The Longhorns? Their 57% SOS rating puts it all to rest, with wins over #4 Ohio State on the road by three points, AP #22 Oklahoma by 22 points at the neutral site, AP #20 Texas Tech by 35 points at home, and #2 USC by three points in the Rose Bowl. For what it's worth, USC had an SOS rating of 58% in 2005 -- so Texas' title was well-earned.

I don't mean to slight Texas here at all, but there's nothing else to say: they kicked ass, and the fans loved what the BCS gave them: a real champion!

McMNC Revisions
1. Texas
2. USC
3. Penn State
4. West Virginia
5. TCU

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958, -2003
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

2004 McMNC: USC Trojans

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. USC: 13-0-0 -- W, Orange, 55-19
2. Auburn: 13-0-0 -- W, Sugar, 16-13
3. Oklahoma: 12-1-0 -- L, Orange, 19-55
4. Utah: 12-0-0 -- W, Fiesta, 35-7
5. Texas: 11-1-0 -- W, Rose, 38-37
6. Louisville: 11-1-0 -- W, Liberty, 44-40
7. Georgia: 10-2-0 -- W, Outback, 24-21
8. Iowa: 10-2-0 -- W, Capital One, 30-25
9. California: 10-2-0 -- L, Holiday, 31-45
10. Virginia Tech: 10-3-0 -- L, Sugar, 13-16

Side note: AP #12 Boise State finished the regular season undefeated (50% SOS) before losing the Liberty Bowl to Louisville. See the progression building?

Texas didn't win its conference, and Oklahoma didn't win its bowl game, so they are both eliminated from McMNC contention. That leaves us with Louisville, Utah, Auburn and USC -- three undefeated teams!

Start with Louisville: with a 47% SOS rating, they can't overcome the one loss. A three-point road setback to AP #11 Miami-FL (9-3) ruined their season, for that was a game the Cardinals should have won. Such as it were, the only ranked team Louisville beat all season was Boise State.

Utah had a wonderful season, but with a 45% SOS rating, they're a longshot. The only ranked team they faced all year was AP #25 Pittsburgh (8-4) in the Fiesta Bowl, and overall, they only played four winning teams all year: three 7-5 teams and Pittsburgh. Weak schedule, although the Utes did dominate their schedule. They go ahead of Louisville, of course, because they're undefeated.

Auburn picked the wrong season to go undefeated. With a 55% SOS rating, they faced a good schedule. They beat AP #16 LSU (9-3) at home by a point, they beat AP #13 Tennessee (10-3) on the road by 24 points, they beat #7 Georgia by 18 points at home, they beat Tennessee again by ten points in the SEC title game, and they beat #10 Virginia Tech by three points in the Sugar Bowl. Five wins over ranked teams makes for a great season, especially when you go undefeated. But the OOC slate? 5-6 Louisiana-Monroe, 3-7 The Citadel, and 6-6 Louisiana Tech. Two of those teams also were on LSU's 2003 OOC schedule. What is the matter with the SEC, anyway?

USC posted a 54% SOS rating, with wins over #10 Virginia Tech by 11 points on the road, #9 California by six points at home, AP #19 Arizona State (9-3) by 38 points at home, and #3 Oklahoma by 36 points in the Orange Bowl. They beat four ranked teams, including three Top 10 teams. The OOC slate? Virginia Tech, 4-7 Colorado State, 5-6 BYU and 6-6 Notre Dame.

Even if you consider the Tigers and the Trojans even right now, there are two separating realities: common opponents and bowl wins. First, both teams played Virginia Tech. USC won by 11 in Blacksburg, and Auburn won by three in the Sugar Bowl. Second, USC absolutely annihilated Oklahoma in a bowl game, while Auburn squeaked by in its bowl win. The Sooners were 12-0 with a 57% SOS rating going into that bowl game, and they got WORKED OVER. This Oklahoma team was better than the 2003 version, which only lost its bowl game by seven points.

With so much on the line for both teams, one clearly performed at a higher level when it mattered most. In fact, in time, history will probably view this USC team as one of the best college football teams of all time. That's good enough for me.

This is no knock against Auburn, at all. But when measured against these Trojans, they don't have a chance.

McMNC Revisions
1. USC
2. Auburn
3. Utah
4. Louisville
5. Oklahoma

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958, -2003
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

2003 McMNC: USC Trojans

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. USC: 12-1-0 -- W, Rose, 28-14
2. LSU: 13-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 21-14
3. Oklahoma: 12-2-0 -- L, Sugar, 14-21
4. Ohio State: 11-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 35-28
5. Miami-FL: 11-2-0 -- W, Orange, 16-14
6. Michigan: 10-3-0 -- L, Rose, 14-28
7. Georgia: 11-3-0 -- W, Capital One, 34-27
8. Iowa: 10-3-0 -- W, Outback, 37-17
9. Washington State: 10-3-0 -- W, Holiday, 28-20
10. Miami-OH: 13-1-0 -- W, GMAC, 49-28

Side note: Boise State (46% SOS) finished 13-1 with a 34-31 win in the Ft. Worth Bowl over TCU. This is an improvement from 2002 for the Broncos.

So, the BCS finally exploded from within in a way that everyone agreed with, as #1 USC was left out of the BCS title game, while another team which didn't win its conference got to play for the "championship" in a game everyone knew they would lose. It was an interesting bowl season, however, as the BCS did provide a No. 1 vs. No. 4 in the Rose Bowl and a No. 2 vs. No. 3 in the Sugar Bowl.

Plus-one anyone? Of course not. That would make too much "cents" for the BCS.

So here we are again: six TUCs this year, although some get eliminated immediately. Oklahoma didn't win its conference or its bowl game, for example. Ohio State didn't win its conference, either.

This leaves us with Miami-OH, Miami-FL, LSU and USC.

Before you laugh, consider the Red Hawks' only loss was on the road to #8 Iowa (by 18 points) in the season opener, and their SOS rating was 51% -- better than some previous McMNCs, obviously. They beat AP #23 Bowling Green (11-3) by 23 points in the regular season, and they beat the Falcons again in the MAC title game by 22 points. Overall, they played seven winning teams on the season, including unranked 9-4 Louisville in the bowl game. The SOS would be higher if not for 1-11 SUNY-Buffalo, 2-10 Ohio University and 3-9 Central Florida. And they even played eight games on the road.

The other Miami squad won the Big East with a 54% SOS rating. This isn't enough to overcome their two losses, however: a 24-point road loss at unranked Virginia Tech (8-5) and a four-point home loss to AP #15 Tennessee (10-3). A big loss to an unranked team is never good, but the Hurricanes just don't have the SOS rating to even pass the other Miami. However, the Coker Bunch did have wins over AP #24 Florida and AP #11 Florida State (twice, one on the road in the regular season and once in the Orange Bowl).

Louisiana State won the SEC and posted a 54% SOS rating. Their one loss was to AP #24 Florida (8-5) at home by 12 points. They had wins over #7 Georgia by seven points at home, AP #13 Mississippi (10-3) by three points on the road, #7 Georgia (again) by 21 points in the SEC title game, and #3 Oklahoma by seven points at home in the Sugar Bowl. The SOS would have been higher, but games against 1-11 Louisiana-Monroe, 2-10 Arizona, 2-10 Mississippi State and 4-9 Alabama hurt.

The Trojans won the Pac-10 while posting a 52% SOS rating. Their one loss was on the road to unranked 8-6 California in OT. Otherwise, USC beat #9 Washington State by 27 points at home and #6 Michigan at home in the Rose Bowl by 14 points. They faced three other winning teams and four other teams which finished at .500 or within a game of breaking even. Their SOS was sunk by 2-10 Arizona.

It is interesting to note that Miami-OH and USC both only beat two ranked teams all season, and the Red Hawks certainly have a decent loss. But USC beat two Top 10 teams, while Miami-OH merely beat #23 twice. For what it's worth, Miami did schedule Iowa, Northwestern (6-7) and Colorado State (7-6) as OOC opponents -- certainly a better effort than LSU's OOC slate of Louisiana-Monroe, Arizona, Western Illinois (9-4) and Louisiana Tech (5-7). The Trojans' OOC gang included Auburn (8-5), BYU (4-8), Hawaii (9-5) and Notre Dame (5-7).

On paper, maybe the Red Hawks can hang with the Tigers and the Trojans, but our eyes tell us otherwise. It was a great season for Miami-OH, but the big loss to Iowa is telling, as the Hawkeyes beat Michigan by three points -- and USC beat the Wolverines by 14 points with everything on the line in the Rose Bowl.

So it's USC versus LSU, and there are some common opponents to consider: Auburn, which lost by 24 on the road to LSU and lost at home by 23 to USC. Advantage? Trojans. Arizona hosted both teams, losing by 46 to LSU and by 45 to USC. Even draw, also considering the Wildcats actually scored against the Tigers (13 points, while the Trojans got the shutout). So USC gets a slight edge on the common opponents.

LSU has the slight edge on the Trojans in SOS rating, but USC has a better loss: losing to a conference foe on the road in three OTs is better than losing at home to a conference foe by double digits. The Tigers did play more ranked teams, but USC had a better OOC schedule -- although Notre Dame and BYU had down years.

Finally, the bowl games: USC beat #4 by 14 points at home in a game that was never close, while LSU beat #3 by seven points at home in a game that went down to the wire. USC definitely had the better bowl win.

Overall, USC gets the distinct edge, but it still would have been a blast to see these two teams fight it out in the field at a neutral site: say Soldier Field in Chicago?

McMNC Revisions
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Miami-OH
4. Miami-FL
5. Ohio State

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958, -2003
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

2002 McMNC: Ohio State Buckeyes

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Ohio State: 14-0-0 -- W, Fiesta, 31-24
2. Miami-FL: 12-1-0 -- L, Fiesta, 24-31
3. Georgia: 13-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 26-13
4. USC: 11-2-0 -- W, Orange, 38-17
5. Oklahoma: 12-2-0 -- W, Rose, 34-14
6. Texas: 11-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 35-20
7. Kansas State: 11-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 34-27
8. Iowa: 11-2-0 -- L, Orange, 17-38
9. Michigan: 10-3-0 -- W, Outback, 38-30
10. Washington State: 10-3-0 -- L, Rose, 14-34

Side note: Boise State finished 12-1 in 2002 (with a 40% SOS rating), beginning their climb to the 2006 season. They beat 7-7 Iowa State by 18 points in the Humanitarian Bowl. Also, USC finished with a 64% SOS rating, losing two road games to Top 10 teams: by seven to Kansas State and by three to Washington State. They played only one team with a losing record all year (2-9 Stanford), while beating four ranked teams. Two trends budding here, eh?

So it's hard to question the placement of both Miami-FL and Ohio State in the BCS title game. The Hurricanes had a 34-game winning streak and were the defending BCS champions. The Buckeyes were 13-0 and the only other unblemished team in college football.

Is there anything else to consider? Georgia's home loss to AP-unranked 8-5 Florida by seven points (Zook'd!) took the Bulldogs out of contention, and their SOS (58%) wasn't enough to overcome either Miami (59%) or Ohio State (55%).

The BCS basically did work this year, after three years of questionable results.

McMNC Revisions
1. Ohio State
2. Miami-FL
3. Georgia
4. USC
5. Oklahoma

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

2001 McMNC: Miami-FL Hurricanes

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Miami-FL: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 37-14
2. Oregon: 11-1-0 -- W, Fiesta, 38-16
3. Florida: 10-2-0 -- W, Orange, 56-21
4. Tennessee: 11-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 45-17
5. Texas: 11-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 47-43
6. Oklahoma: 11-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 10-3
7. Louisiana State: 10-3-0 -- W, Sugar, 47-34
8. Nebraska: 11-2-0 -- L, Rose, 14-37
9. Colorado: 10-3-0 -- L, Fiesta, 16-38
10. Washington State: 10-2-0 -- W, Sun, 33-27

Yet another fuck-up by the BCS. Sensing a theme here?

The Hurricanes deserved their spot in the title game, based on an unblemished record and a 57% SOS rating. They beat AP #15 Florida State by 22 points on the road, they beat AP #21 Boston College on the road by 11 points, they beat AP #14 Syracuse by 59 points at home (shutout), they beat AP #19 Washington at home by 58 points, they beat AP #18 Virginia Tech by two points on the road, and they beat #8 Nebraska in the Rose Bowl by 23 points. Six wins over ranked teams is impressive, although no team ranked higher than eighth by the end of the season.

So why was Nebraska chosen, as a non-conference winner, over Oregon? The Ducks were ranked higher and had won their conference, while the Huskers had a 26-point loss in their last regular season game. The Ducks' one loss was at home by seven points to AP #16 Stanford, by the way. Nebraska is ineligible for the McMNC, of course, since they didn't win their conference. Do the Ducks have enough to overcome Miami's unblemished record?

Oregon had a 53% SOS rating, with wins over #10 Washington State on the road by seven points and #9 Colorado by 22 points in the Fiesta Bowl. They didn't play a tough schedule, obviously. Transitive score fun works here, though: Oregon beat Colorado by 22 points, Colorado beat Nebraska by 26 points, and Miami only beat Nebraska by 23 points.

But like 1999 and 2000, there is just no way to tell what might have happened in a head-to-head matchup between the Hurricanes and the Ducks. The BCS fucked it up AGAIN: on paper, the Ducks don't have enough to overcome the Hurricanes' perfect record.

What a shame we'll never know who the true college football champion was in 2001.

McMNC Revisions
1. Miami-FL
2. Oregon
3. Nebraska
4. Washington State
5. Tennessee

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

2000 McMNC: Oklahoma Sooners

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Oklahoma: 13-0-0 -- W, Orange, 13-2
2. Miami-FL: 11-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 37-20
3. Washington: 11-1-0 -- W, Rose, 24-14
4. Oregon State: 11-1-0 -- W, Fiesta, 41-9
5. Florida State: 11-2-0 -- L, Orange, 2-13
6. Virginia Tech: 11-1-0 -- W, Gator, 41-20
7. Oregon: 10-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 35-30
8. Nebraska: 10-2-0 -- W, Alamo, 66-17
9. Kansas State: 11-3-0 -- W, Cotton, 35-21
10. Florida: 10-3-0 -- L, Sugar, 20-37

It's easy in retrospect to say FSU didn't belong in the title game: they got shutout on offense, after scoring 42.4 points per game in the regular season. Was Oklahoma's defense THAT good? Or was Florida State that overrated?

There were five one-loss teams to choose from in determining Oklahoma's foe in the Orange Bowl: Miami-FL, Washington, Oregon State, Florida State and Virginia Tech. This is easy to resolve, however.

Virginia Tech is out, because Miami-FL won both the Big East and their head-to-head matchup. Yet, Miami is out, because they lost to Washington head-to-head. And Florida State is out, because they lost to Miami head-to-head. And Oregon State is out, because they lost to Washington head-to-head.

Everyone got that? For all the media bluster generated by Miami's whining in 2000 that they deserved the BCS slot over Florida State because they beat the Seminoles, very few seemed to care that Miami had lost to Washington -- and it was truly the Huskies who deserved that #2 BCS position.

Seriously, this was a major fuck-up of epic proportions, and basically no one noticed.

For the record, Washington's only loss was by seven points on the road to #7 Oregon. It's hardly shameful. The Huskies beat #2 Miami by five points at home, they beat #4 Oregon State by three points at home, and AP #13 Purdue in the Rose Bowl by ten points. It's not an overwhelming resume, but beating two Top 5 teams is very strong nonetheless. They had a 56% SOS rating overall. Plus, they had that H2H edge over every other TUC, as noted above. And that has always counted for something with the McMNC.

Oklahoma had a 55% SOS rating, and they beat #12 Texas by 49 points, #9 Kansas State by ten points on the road, #8 Nebraska by 17 points at home, #9 Kansas State by three points in the Big XII title game, and #5 Florida State by 11 points in the Orange Bowl. It's a strong resume, of course, with five wins over ranked teams. But they don't have a singular win impressive as Washington's two best wins.

The SOS ratings are comparable enough, of course. Common opponents? None, of course. There is the transitive power, however: Oklahoma beat Florida State by 11, while Washington beat Miami by five, and Miami beat Florida State by three points. Oklahoma has a much larger MOV (22.1 to 9.8), too.

But like 1999, there is just no way to tell what might have happened in a head-to-head matchup between the Sooners and the Huskies. The BCS fucked it up AGAIN this year: like last year, on paper, the Huskies don't have enough to overcome the Sooners' perfect record.

What a shame we'll never know who the true college football champion was in 2000.

McMNC Revisions
1. Oklahoma
2. Washington
3. Miami-FL
4. Oregon State
5. Virginia Tech

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

1999 McMNC: Florida State Seminoles

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Florida State: 12-0-0 -- W, Sugar, 46-29
2. Virginia Tech: 11-1-0 -- L, Sugar, 29-46
3. Nebraska: 12-1-0 -- W, Fiesta, 31-21
4. Wisconsin: 10-2-0 -- W, Rose, 17-9
5. Michigan: 10-2-0 -- W, Orange, 35-34
6. Kansas State: 11-1-0 -- W, Holiday, 24-20
7. Michigan State: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 37-34
8. Alabama: 10-3-0 -- L, Orange, 34-35
9. Tennessee: 9-3-0 -- L, Fiesta, 21-31
10. Marshall: 13-0-0 -- W, Motor City, 21-3

This BCS year had the only two undefeated teams in the title game, so it appears on the surface to be a verification of the system's true intent.

FSU had a 58% SOS rating, with wins over AP #20 Georgia Tech, AP #15 Miami and AP #12 Florida. They had seven wins over winning teams and two wins over .500 teams. So they only had two wins over losing teams (3-8 Duke, 5-6 Maryland) going into the Sugar Bowl.

Virginia Tech had a 53% SOS rating, with a win over AP #15 Miami. That was the Hokies' only win over a ranked team in 1999. They did beat 8-4 James Madison (47-0), 7-5 Virginia (31-7), 7-5 Syracuse (62-0), and 8-4 Boston College (38-14). They also had wins over 1-10 Rutgers and 2-9 Temple. They played a weak schedule, and they were exposed in the title game against FSU.

Could another team have played FSU more evenly? The candidates are minimal: Nebraska and Marshall. The Thundering Herd didn't play an AP-ranked team all season, of course, and their SOS rating (44%) doesn't cut it.

Which leaves us with Nebraska. Were the Cornhuskers more deserving of a spot in the BCS title game than Virginia Tech? Their one loss was a four-point road setback against AP #21 Texas (9-5), certainly far from shameful. The Huskers had wins over AP #14 Southern Mississippi, AP #23 Texas A&M, AP #6 Kansas State, and AP #21 Texas (in the Big XII title game rematch, 22-6). Their SOS rating was 55%, which was better than Virginia Tech's number.

Here's one other thought to consider: The Hokies' regular season SOS rating was only 48%, while Nebraska's regular season SOS rating was 53%. Considering the fact Nebraska played five games against ranked opponents while the Hokies only played one game, it's a shame Virginia Tech was voted so readily into the second BCS slot for the Sugar Bowl over the Huskers. This deserved more scrutiny.

For argument's sake, since the Hokies lost, let's assume it should have been the Huskers.

Which leaves us with a final question: FSU or Nebraska? Of course, we'll never know how Nebraska might have fared in the Sugar Bowl against FSU, so all we're left with is the numbers: unblemished FSU with a 58% SOS rating against one-loss Nebraska with a 55% SOS rating.

They had no common opponents, although there are many transitive score possibilities. For example, FSU beat Florida by seven points on the road, and Florida beat beat Tennessee by two points at home. Nebraska beat Tennessee by ten points in the Fiesta Bowl. What can this tell us? Nothing, sadly enough. Both teams outscored their opponents on average by about 21 points.

The BCS fucked it up this year: it might have been 11-0 Florida State against 11-1 Nebraska in the Sugar Bowl, but on paper, the Cornhuskers don't have enough to overcome the Seminoles' perfect record.

What a shame we'll never know who the true college football champion was in 1999.

McMNC Revisions
1. Florida State
2. Nebraska
3. Virginia Tech
4. Kansas State
5. Marshall

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

1998 McMNC: Tennessee Volunteers

Okay, so we've entered a new era here, and it's not as easy as anointing the BCS champ as my McMNC. Why? Because quite often, we're not even sure the right two teams were invited to the title game, so it's very possible for a team to win the BCS title game and not win the McMNC. It's also very possible for a team that didn't get invited to the BCS title game to have a better resume than a team that did get to -- and win -- the BCS title game.

And I'm not just thinking of 2003, either. So without further adieu, here we go ...

AP Top 13: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Tennessee: 13-0-0 -- W, Fiesta, 23-16
2. Ohio State: 11-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 24-14
3. Florida State: 11-2-0 -- L, Fiesta, 16-23
4. Arizona: 12-1-0 -- W, Holiday, 23-20
5. Florida: 10-2-0 -- W, Orange, 31-10
6. Wisconsin: 11-1-0 -- W, Rose, 38-31
7. Tulane: 12-0-0 -- W, Liberty, 41-27
8. UCLA: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 31-38
9. Georgia Tech: 10-2-0 -- W, Gator, 35-28
10. Kansas State: 11-2-0 -- L, Alamo, 34-37
11. Texas A&M: 11-3-0 -- L, Sugar, 14-24
12. Michigan: 10-3-0 -- W, Citrus, 45-31
13. Air Force: 12-1-0 -- W, O'ahu, 45-25

Tennessee, as the only unbeaten/untied team from a BCS/major conference, probably deserved its spot in the title game. But more on that later. The question is why Florida State was chosen as the second team when Ohio State, Arizona, Wisconsin, Tulane, UCLA, Kansas State and Air Force all had excellent seasons, too.

Of course, UCLA and K-State went on to lose their bowls -- and their claim to the McMNC, of course. But these are interesting cases to examine. First, UCLA: The Bruins had a 20-game winning streak on the line when they played a re-scheduled game at Miami-FL on December 5. This was a hurricane-delayed game, and the Bruins had wrapped their "regular" season with a 34-17 win over unranked 8-5 USC on November 21. However, they were forced to travel to Florida two weeks later to play this game against Miami which had originally been scheduled for September. With a BCS title game slot on the line, the Bruins lost 49-45 in a classic trap game. With such disappointment, it's a surprise they even managed to play a respectable game in the Rose Bowl. Likewise, K-State was 11-0 with only the Big XII title game between them and the BCS title game slot. Texas A&M upset the Wildcats in overtime, and suddenly, K-State is in the friggin' Alamo Bowl against an unranked Big Ten also-ran. Motivation? Gone.

This began the interesting BCS shuffle every year, where teams on the precipice would lose, thus opening the door for other deserving (or non-deserving) teams. The first year, there were three undefeated teams on the last day of the regular season, and only Tennessee survived. Thus? Chaos ensued for BCS title slot #2.

The Bobby Bowden lovefest reigned supreme in 1998. But why?

With a 17-point road loss to an unranked team (7-5 North Carolina State), the Seminoles never should have been in contention for a BCS spot. They did have a strong resume: 62% SOS rating and five wins over AP Top 20 teams by an average of 16+ points per game. Yet they proved their unworthiness with their lackluster showing in the Fiesta Bowl. Could another team have done better against the Vols?

Perhaps. But let's start with Tennessee to see what we're dealing with here. The Vols had a 54% SOS rating, which is good. They beat AP #25 Syracuse (8-4) by one point on the road, they beat #5 Florida by three points at home, they beat AP #14 Georgia (9-3) by 19 points on the road, and they beat AP #16 Arkansas (9-3) by four points at home (remember this game? Both teams were unbeaten, and the Hogs gave the game away ...). Tennessee also beat #3 FSU in the Fiesta Bowl, of course. With those five wins, you think their SOS would be higher, but the Vols also played 3-8 Houston, 3-8 Auburn (scratching out an eight-point road win), 1-10 South Carolina, 4-7 UAB, and 2-9 Vanderbilt.

So who can challenge The Philip Fulmers in 1998? Ohio State, Arizona, Wisconsin, Tulane and Air Force. But actually, Arizona cannot challenge, since they didn't win the Pac-10. In fact, they lost to UCLA at home by 24 points, and they only had a 46% SOS rating, anyway. Another wildcat bites the dust ...

Ohio State and Wisconsin technically tied for the Big Ten title. They didn't play each other, and the Badgers got the Rose Bowl bid since Ohio State had just been there in 1996. Both are eligible for the McMNC: can they challenge?

The Badgers' 49% SOS says no. With an OOC schedule of San Diego State, UNLV and Ohio U., Wisconsin took the easy route to 11 wins. They did beat AP #24 Purdue (9-4) by seven points at home, AP #17 Penn State (9-3) at home by 21 points, and unmotivated #8 UCLA in the Rose Bowl by seven points. And, of course, they lost to #12 Michigan by 17 points on the road. Double-digit losses, even to ranked teams are not good, but the poor SOS rating and lack of enough wins over ranked teams dooms the Badgers, anyway. They certainly didn't belong in the BCS title game over FSU.

The Buckeyes? They had a 54% SOS rating, which was equal to the Vols' number but behind Florida State's number. Their one loss was that inexplicable home collapse against unranked 6-6 Sparty, where they blew a 15-point lead in the second half to lose by four points. Otherwise, Ohio State beat AP #21 Missouri (8-4) by 21 points at home, they beat #17 Penn State by 19 points at home, #12 Michigan by 15 points at home, and they beat #11 Texas A&M by 11 points in the Sugar Bowl. They have a slightly better resume than Wisconsin, but FSU was still the right choice over the Buckeyes for the BCS title game.

Tulane went undefeated/untied with a 39% SOS rating. They didn't beat a ranked team all year. Not much else to say here, except "Great season, boys!" -- you have no shot at the McMNC. Air Force? They had a 42% SOS rating, and their one loss was by a point, on the road, to unranked 7-5 TCU. They fall below Tulane on this scale.

So in the end, Tennessee verifies its BCS title for two reasons: 1) They were the best team from start-to-finish all year; 2) They beat the next-best team (FSU) in the BCS title game to leave no doubt.

McMNC Revisions
1. Tennessee
2. Ohio State
3. Wisconsin
4. Tulane
5. Air Force

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

1997 McMNC: Nebraska Cornhuskers

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Michigan: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 21-16
2. Nebraska: 13-0-0 -- W, Orange, 42-17
3. Florida State: 11-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 31-14
4. Florida: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 21-6
5. UCLA: 10-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 29-23
6. North Carolina: 11-1-0 -- W, Gator, 42-3
7. Tennessee: 11-2-0 -- L, Orange, 17-42
8. Kansas State: 11-1-0 -- W, Fiesta, 35-18
9. Washington State: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 16-21
10. Georgia: 10-2-0 -- W, Outback, 33-6

Three teams under consideration this year: Michigan, Nebraska and Florida State. For the second year in a row, FSU went into their final regular season game undefeated. This year, Florida beat them by three in the Swamp. It comes down to FSU's SOS rating (57%) to keep them in this discussion -- especially because they beat Ohio State in their bowl game by more points (17) than Michigan beat them in a home game (6).

So let's start with the Seminoles: they beat unranked 6-5 USC on the road by seven points to start the season, they beat they beat unranked 7-5 Clemson on the road by seven points, they beat AP #25 Georgia Tech (7-5) in a 38-0 shutout at home, they beat unranked 7-4 Virginia by 26 points on the road, they beat unranked 6-5 North Carolina State by 13 points at home, they beat #6 North Carolina by 17 points on the road, and they beat AP #12 Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Losing to #4 by three points on the road is the only blemish, but it will depend on the SOS ratings for Nebraska and Michigan. Beating only three ranked teams, however, will hurt the Seminoles.

Nebraska has an SOS rating of 50%, which is passable. Perhaps what we all remember about the Huskers in 1997 is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0FnFFjp1Ns. But Nebraska beat AP #18 Washington (8-4) by 13 points on the road, they beat #8 Kansas State (11-1) by 30 points at home, they beat unranked 6-5 Texas Tech at home in a 29-0 whitewashing, they beat AP #23 Missouri (7-5) by seven points on the road, they beat AP #20 Texas A&M (9-4)by 39 points in the Big XII title game, and they beat #7 Tennessee by 25 points in the Orange Bowl. Not quite as impressive as the 1995 team, but very good nonetheless. When you beat five ranked teams by an average of 22 points each, you're doing something right. They beat six winning teams overall on the year.

Last but not least, Michigan returned to prominence with a 52% SOS rating. The Wolverines beat unranked 7-6 Notre Dame by seven points at home, they beat unranked 7-5 Iowa at home by four points, they beat unranked 7-5 Michigan State by 16 points on the road, they beat AP #16 Penn State (9-3) on the road by 26 points, they beat unranked 8-5 Wisconsin on the road by ten points, they beat AP #12 Ohio State (10-3) home by six points, and they beat #9 Washington State in the Rose Bowl by five points. They beat three ranked teams on the season by an average of 12 points each. They beat seven winning teams in 1997.

Overall, Florida State's SOS isn't enough to overcome their one loss. They needed to be above 60% to have a shot, basically.

So, of course, it's Michigan versus Nebraska. Their game results against ranked teams are almost virtual opposites: Nebraska pounded every ranked team they played but one, while Michigan squeaked by every ranked team they played but one. But Nebraska played more ranked teams, and their bowl win was significantly more impressive.

Michigan has the SOS edge, but it's primarily based on those unranked teams above, while the Cornhuskers played a more top-heavy schedule. What hurts Nebraska's SOS are games against 2-9 Akron, 2-9 Baylor and 1-10 Iowa State. Dragging down the Wolverine SOS are 2-9 Baylor, 2-9 Indiana and 3-9 Minnesota. Eliminate these dwellers, and the SOS ratings are relatively even.

Common opponents helps us here, too, perhaps? Both teams played Colorado and Baylor: Nebraska beat Baylor on the road by 28 and Colorado on the road by three points, while Michigan beat the Bears by 35 points at home and the Buffaloes by 24 points at home. The Wolverines get an edge here, although beating Colorado in Boulder in late November is a tougher challenge than beating them in Ann Arbor in September.

In the end, Nebraska is going to win this comparison for two reasons: 1) They beat better opponents by bigger margins. In fact, they beat 13 teams by an average of 30.2 points per game in 1997, while Michigan beat 12 teams by an average of 17.3 points per game. Considering their SOS ratings were so comparable, this is a distinct edge for the Huskers when you consider how they dominated ranked teams while Michigan merely scraped by ranked teams; 2) With everything on the line in their bowl games, the Huskers beat the one-loss, SEC-champion Volunteers (then-#3) by 25 points in a game that was never close, while the Wolverines beat the one-loss, Pac-10 champions (then-#7) by five points in a game that went down to the wire and ended on a controversial clock judgment (in favor of the Wolverines).

Bottom line? The Huskers beat a better team more convincingly when it mattered most.

McMNC Revisions
1. Nebraska
2. Michigan
3. Florida State
4. Kansas State
5. North Carolina

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

1996 McMNC: Florida Gators

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Florida: 12-1-0 -- W, Sugar, 52-20
2. Ohio State: 11-1-0 -- W, Rose, 20-17
3. Florida State: 11-1-0 -- L, Sugar, 20-52
4. Arizona State: 11-1-0 -- L, Rose, 17-20
5. BYU: 14-1-0 -- W, Cotton, 19-15
6. Nebraska: 11-2-0 -- W, Orange, 41-21
7. Penn State: 11-2-0 -- W, Fiesta, 38-15
8. Colorado: 10-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 33-21
9. Tennessee: 10-2-0 -- W, Citrus, 48-28
10. North Carolina: 10-2-0 -- W, Gator, 20-13

Side note: Not sure why FSU finished above ASU in this final poll, considering the Sun Devils lost their bowl game by three points in the final seconds, while FSU lost their bowl game by many touchdowns the minute their bowl match-up was announced.

Technically, every team on this list, save FSU and ASU, have a shot at the McMNC. Yikes! Let's eliminate first: North Carolina didn't win the ACC, so they're out. Tennessee didn't win the SEC, so they're out. Nebraska and Colorado didn't win the Big XII, so they're out. Penn State didn't win the Big Ten, so they're out.

That leaves us with BYU, Ohio State and Florida.

The Cougars lost on the road to AP #16 Washington (9-3) by 12 points. Not a bad blemish, to be sure, but ... the problem for BYU is the rest of the schedule, as usual. With only a 48% SOS rating, they're way behind already. They only beat two ranked teams all year: AP #22 Wyoming (10-2) and AP #17 Kansas State (9-3) in the Cotton Bowl by a combined seven points. The rest of their schedule was a joke: Arkansas State, New Mexico, Utah State, UTEP, etc.

Ohio State, in usual fashion, blew their season in the last regular season game against AP #20 Michigan (8-4). Losing by four points at home to the Wolverines with everything on the line was just bad. But it's not fatal in this discussion: the Buckeyes had a very good 56% SOS rating, and they beat six winning teams in 1996 -- including four ranked teams. Ohio State has victories over unranked 7-4 Rice by 63 points at home, AP #19 Notre Dame (8-3) by 13 points on the road, #7 Penn State by 31 points at home, unranked 8-5 Wisconsin at home by three points, AP #18 Iowa (9-3) by 12 points on the road, and #4 Arizona State in the Rose Bowl.

Florida lost by three points on the road to Florida State on November 30, won the SEC title game the following weekend and found itself with a rematch against the Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl. The Gators had an SOS rating of 60%, which is excellent. Florida beat #9 Tennessee (10-2) by six points on the road (of course, they did!), they beat AP #12 Louisiana State (10-2) at home by 43 points, they beat AP #24 Auburn (8-4) by 41 points at home, they beat unranked 6-5 South Carolina by 27 points at home, they beat AP #11 Alabama (10-3) by 15 points in the SEC title game, and they beat #3 Florida State by 32 points in the bowl rematch.

Without a doubt, Florida has the better resume: higher SOS and dominating wins over five ranked teams. But the issue I have is the fact they got a rematch they didn't deserve in the bowl game, which gave them a shot at a championship they perhaps don't deserve, either. This will be an extensive problem later as I go through the BCS years, but this is a pre-BCS problem, of course.

Why did Florida get a rematch with Florida State? With Arizona State and Ohio State locked into the Rose Bowl, what other team could have faced undefeated Florida State in a bowl game worth its salt? Nebraska was an obvious choice, but with two losses and the promise of the rematch, the Bowl Coalition screwed us all up.

My problem is this: like 2006, why should a team get a second chance to beat a team it couldn't beat the first time? If the college football season is truly a playoff, Florida's loss to Florida State should have eliminated them from the fray. In fact, why doesn't it, anyway? Florida holds no edge over #3 Florida State, since they split the two head-to-head meetings. Why should the bowl game be given precedence over the regular season game?

Yes, the bowl game season has been a primary factor in the entire McMNC analysis. But this is a strange and unique circumstance. We've had rematches before (1965 UCLA and Michigan State come to mind, for example), but never a rematch after so late a regular season matchup.

Why did Ohio State's loss to Michigan eliminate the Buckeyes in the eyes of the voters while Florida's loss to Florida State did not eliminate the Gators? I don't like it, at all. It violates the very arguments that are routinely given for why there is no tournament championship in major college football.

I feel confident in saying that everyone *knew* Florida would beat Florida State in a rematch, that somehow the Seminoles had gotten lucky in the 24-21 win on November 30. And, since Arizona State was undefeated still, no one suspected Florida would win the MNC simply by beating Florida State. They still needed help.

Goddamn, Sun Devils. You could have made this all moot by just playing some better defense.

I know the purpose of this exercise is to clarify a proper champion, since we can never do it on the field. But I struggled with this one to the end: however wrong the rematch was, Florida was still the better team in 1996. If the Gators had beaten Arizona State instead, and the Buckeyes had beaten Florida State instead, this would be a clear choice.

Like BYU in 1984, Florida just got lucky this year when they had no business winning this title.

McMNC Revisions
1. Florida
2. Ohio State
3. Arizona State
4. BYU
5. Florida State

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
Florida: =1996
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

1995 McMNC: Nebraska Cornhuskers

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Nebraska: 12-0-0 -- W, Fiesta, 62-24
2. Florida: 12-1-0 -- L, Fiesta, 24-62
3. Tennessee: 11-1-0 -- W, Citrus, 20-14
4. Florida State: 10-2-0 -- W, Orange, 31-26
5. Colorado: 10-2-0 -- W, Cotton, 38-6
6. Ohio State: 11-2-0 -- L, Citrus, 14-20
7. Kansas State: 10-2-0 -- W, Holiday, 45-21
8. Northwestern: 10-2-0 -- L, Rose, 32-41
9. Kansas: 10-2-0 -- W, Aloha, 51-30
10. Virginia Tech: 10-2-0 -- W, Sugar, 28-10

This is pretty much the biggest slam dunk to date, I think. The only two teams within a game of Nebraska can't touch the Huskers, by virtue of a head-to-head loss and a non-conference champ status.

But let's discuss some ideas, anyway. Ohio State started this season 11-0 before losing to Michigan in their final regular season game of the year. That could have been interesting ... also, Northwestern came within two points of running the regular season table themselves this season. We were SO close to a four-team scrum at the end for the crown. That would have been a "plus-one" scenario, for sure, except that Northwestern would have been locked into the Rose Bowl, of course.

College football is good and terrible, isn't it?

For the record, the Huskers beat unranked 6-5-1 Michigan State on the road by 40 points, they beat unranked 6-5 Arizona State 77-28 at home (setting up the 1996 upset by the Sun Devils, of course), they beat #7 Kansas State by 24 points at home, they beat #5 Colorado by 23 points on the road, they beat #9 Kansas on the road by 38 points, and they beat #2 Florida by 38 points in the bowl game. See the obvious difference between the Huskers' 1994 and 1995 teams?

This team DOMINATED. And that's all she wrote ...

McMNC Revisions
1. Nebraska
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Virginia Tech
5. Florida State

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993

1994 McMNC: Penn State Nittany Lions

AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results

1. Nebraska: 13-0-0 -- W, Orange, 24-17
2. Penn State: 12-0-0 -- W, Rose, 38-20
3. Colorado: 11-1-0 -- W, Fiesta, 41-24
4. Florida State: 10-1-1 -- W, Sugar, 23-17
5. Alabama: 12-1-0 -- W, Citrus, 24-17
6. Miami: 10-2-0 -- L, Orange, 17-24
7. Florida: 10-2-1 -- L, SUgar, 17-23
8. Texas A&M: 10-0-1 -- NONE (probation)
9. Auburn: 9-1-1 -- NONE (probation)
10. Utah: 10-2-0 -- W, Freedom, 16-13

Another interesting season, to be sure. Florida ruined Alabama's perfect season by winning the SEC title game, 24-23, on December 3. Otherwise, we might have had THREE unbeaten, untied teams in 1994. What a nightmare that could have been ... then again, maybe not (as you will see below).

Putting Miami in the Orange Bowl against the Huskers was dumb, since Miami's one regular season loss was by 18 points at home to 7-4 Washington. Did anyone really think the Hurricanes were a worthy opponent for the Huskers? I realize was the Bowl Coalition Era, or whatever, but still ...

Alabama can't be a TUC, since they didn't win the SEC. Too bad. If they had gone undefeated, they would have won the McMNC with their SOS rating (54%). Colorado isn't eligible, since they lost the Big 8 crown to Nebraska thanks to a 17-point loss in Lincoln.

That leaves us with three teams: Florida State, Penn State and Nebraska. The Seminoles will need a significant edge in SOS to even be in this debate? Do they have it?

Yes and no. FSU's SOS rating (60%) is excellent, but they have two blemishes: a 14-point road loss to #6 Miami and a home tie against #7 Florida. Are they bad blemishes? No. And they did beat the Gators in the bowl rematch. But losing by 14 to the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl stadium, when the Huskers beat the Hurricanes there by seven points is a hard sell.

Unless, of course, Nebraska has a really poor SOS.

Which they do not: at 52%, the Huskers' SOS is fine and good enough to hold off the Seminoles. Nebraska beat unranked 7-6 West Virginia on the road 31-0, they beat unranked 6-5 Pacific 70-21 at home, they beat AP #19 Kansas State (9-3) by 11 points on the road, they beat #3 Colorado at home by 17 points, they beat unranked 6-5 Kansas at home by 28 points, and they beat #6 Miami in the Orange Bowl. Three wins over ranked teams is good, but certainly not great. Plus, they didn't necessarily blowout any of those three teams, either. Overall, they beat six winning teams. Iowa State (0-10-1) was the big dog on the schedule.

Penn State also has an SOS rating of 52% for 1994, so that's a draw. The Nittany Lions (why do I always want to abbreviate that as the Nits?) beat AP #13 USC (8-3-1) by 24 points at home, they beat AP #12 Michigan (8-4) by seven points on the road, they shredded AP #14 Ohio State (9-4) by 49 points at home (63-14), they beat unranked 6-5 Indiana by six points on the road (more on this later), they beat unranked 7-5 Illinois by four points on the road, and they beat AP #11 Oregon (9-4) by 18 points in the Rose Bowl. They beat four ranked teams on the season, although none ranked as high as Nebraska's two marquee victims. But they beat those four teams by almost 25 points each, on average. They, too, beat six winning teams in 1994. Temple (2-9) was the worst team on Penn State's schedule.

So who gets the edge?

The Big 8 had a down year; only three teams finished above .500 (see above). Six teams in the Big Ten finished above .500 in a down year for that conference, too. OOC scheduling was interesting: the Huskers scheduled West Virginia (road), Texas Tech (road), UCLA (home), Pacific (home) and Wyoming (home). Penn State scheduled USC (home), Rutgers (home) and Temple (road). They both tried to get good teams to play OOC.

Penn State's bowl win was probably more impressive, for simple transitive reasons: Washington's 38-20 win over Miami in the 'Canes' backyard dwarfs Nebraska's bowl win over Miami, although we can't underestimate the "pressure" factor. But when Penn State beat Oregon by 18 points, and the Ducks beat Washington by 11 points, and the Huskies beat the 'Canes by 18 points -- you'd have to think the Huskers could beat the 'Canes by more than seven points.

The Nits were probably the better team in 1994. They dropped in the polls after the "close" win over Indiana, which really wasn't all that close. They dominated better opponents in the season than Nebraska did, and they had a better bowl win comparatively speaking.

In the end, Penn State just has the better peripheral numbers.

McMNC Revisions
1. Penn State
2. Nebraska
3. Alabama
4. Colorado
5. Florida State

RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Michigan: +1947, =1948
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
LSU: =1958
Texas A&M: =1939
Auburn: -1957, +1983
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986
TCU: -1938
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993
Texas: =1963, -1969
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994
Army: -1944, -1945
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993