# (#1)USC + (#2)Oklahoma = An Asskickin' **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 5, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132 "2005-01-05T02:52:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/61 "2005-01-05T15:45:34Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > According to the NCAA’s own strength of schedule list, Auburn’s schedule was rated 9th, Oklahoma’s 21st and Southern Cal’s 31st. (That’s from memory, OK & So. Cal could be reversed.) Auburn played five teams that were rated in the top ten at some the time this year. Nobody else is even close to matching that. I’d dry it up on the schedule subject if I were you, as there’s not a leg to stand on there. Big deal about the NCAA’s strength of schedule. CBS has the SoS as: Oklahoma (15), Auburn (19) and USC (25). Not very much difference at all. From the final AP rankings, USC took down the #3, #9, #10, and #19 teams, never played a team not in I-A, and never played a team in a conference easier than the MWC. Auburn took down the #7, #10, #13 and #16 teams, played a I-AA school and had a game against a team from the Sun Belt Conference, which is borderline I-AA. And saying that Auburn played a tougher schedule because they played five teams ranked in the top ten _at some time_. This is the AP poll from Week 3 (the earliest I could find): 1. USC 2. Oklahoma 3. Georgia 4. FSU 5. Miami 6. LSU 7. Texas 8. Michigan 9. Ohio State 10. West Virginia Only 4 were left in the top 10 at the end of the regular season - USC, Oklahoma, Georgia and Texas. Hell, West Virginia isn’t even ranked in the top 25 anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/62 "2005-01-05T15:48:00Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > Until there’s a playoff, we can have all this fun with arguements every season, just like we used to do, before the BCS. I forgot to address this. Of course, now with the BCS we have one more thing to argue about which makes it all the more entertaining. If it didn’t consistently screw up the Rose Bowl, I’d say that the BCS is worth it. But it does, so it needs to go. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/63 "2005-01-05T15:59:49Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > If it didn’t consistently screw up the Rose Bowl, I’d say that the BCS is worth it. But it does, so it needs to go. Well, the Rose Bowl wasn’t screwed up last year, and it wouldn’t have been fucked this year if Mack Brown didn’t beg for votes for Texas. Right now it is good to be a Trojan fan in Austin. Not only are the UT people happy with their Rose Bowl win, but they are almost as happy with the way that 'SC handed Choklahoma their asses. I really doubt that Auburn would have fared much better against USC, but of course we’ll never know. If they think that they were unfairly screwed they just have to do what USC did this season after getting shafted last year. They should, depending on returning starters, start the year ranked #2 - that puts them in prime position to make the BCS title game next year. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/64 "2005-01-05T19:17:16Z")
Why are Auburn fans upset? They’re #2 now. If they had played USC in the championship game, they’d be #3 or lower. This worked out great for them. ---
**Author:** ![Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Linus\_Van\_Pelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linus_Van_Pelt)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/65 "2005-01-05T20:18:05Z")
> [@adam yax](#): > > They should, depending on returning starters, start the year ranked #2 - that puts them in prime position to make the BCS title game next year. Which is another thing wrong with the system. Your performance last year shouldn’t have anything at all to do with your ability to play for the “championship” this year. But it does. Of course, the team being screwed more than anyone in this is Utah. At least Auburn has some people arguing that they deserve a share in the title. Utah, because of the conference they’re in gets, “Oh, you finished undefeated. How nice. You absolutely clobbered a conference champ from one of the “big six” conferences. How nice. But we’re going to ignore that. In fact, we’re going to rank you lower than a team that just got humilated.” And don’t tell me that Utah wouldn’t have stood a chance in a playoff because we’ll never know. The history of sports is full of championship teams that “never had a chance” to win. [As illustrated by Michael Silver in his SI.com article,](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/michael_silver/12/28/silver.bcs/index.html) here’s a possible look at how 2004 would have looked if the the rest of the sports world functioned like NCAA division 1-A football: Eagles vs. Patriots (Super Bowl XXXVIII). Stanford vs. St. Joe’s (NCAA basketball championship game). Lakers vs. Pacers (NBA championship game). USA vs. Yugoslavia (Olympic men’s basketball gold medal game). Yankees vs. Cardinals (World Series). (Actually, I disagree. In BCS world, the Pacers would never have been considered for the championship game because they were in a weak conference. The match-up would likely have been between the Spurs and the Timberwolves considering that the Lakers had an uneven regular season.) ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/66 "2005-01-05T22:17:13Z")
Three first place votes for Auburn? What the hell type of convincing do these 3 stooges need to place USC over Auburn? Was Auburn’s win that convincing for these 3 idiots? Did USC not score enough against OU? Should USC have kept their first string D out there and not let OU score that last touchdown? Let me guess…it was that safety that convinced these morons that USC ain’t all that. :wally X 3 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/67 "2005-01-06T00:19:32Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > Three first place votes for Auburn? What the hell type of convincing do these 3 stooges need to place USC over Auburn? Was Auburn’s win that convincing for these 3 idiots? Did USC not score enough against OU? Should USC have kept their first string D out there and not let OU score that last touchdown? Let me guess…it was that safety that convinced these morons that USC ain’t all that. > > :wally X 3 I heard on the radio that at least one of them was a protest vote against the BCS and the fact there is no playoff ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/68 "2005-01-06T01:39:16Z")
I didn’t hear about that when the radio station I was listening to just said…3 #1 votes for Auburn… Would have been better if the protest vote actually entered “Vacant” or “Yet to be Determined.” I think that would have had more of an impact. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/69 "2005-01-06T04:23:39Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Why are Auburn fans upset? They’re #2 now. If they had played USC in the championship game, they’d be #3 or lower. This worked out great for them. Don’t get it? Auburn and Utah fans are upset because they didn’t get the _opportunity_ to play, and possibly whip, Southern Cal. That Oklahoma defense that gave up 55 this week also gave up 35 to OK. State and Texas A & M, the latter being a team that managed to score only six against Tennessee in their bowl game. I’ve felt that Auburn is better than Oklahoma since mid-season. The Utah folks may feel the same about their team. Southern Cal? I’d love to get the chance to play 'em, but it can’t happen, and that’s that. But it’s (BCS) all not that big a deal to me. Auburn, 13-0, is the State Champ, Conference Champ and Sugar Bowl Champ. WAR EAGLE!, and congrats to Utah and So. Cal on having great seasons as well. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/70 "2005-01-06T06:00:30Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > Don’t get it? Auburn and Utah fans are upset because they didn’t get the _opportunity_ to play, and possibly whip, Southern Cal. I get it. But the outcome for them is better this way. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/71 "2005-01-06T07:24:12Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > But it’s (BCS) all not that big a deal to me. Auburn, 13-0, is the State Champ, Conference Champ and Sugar Bowl Champ. WAR EAGLE!, and congrats to Utah and So. Cal on having great seasons as well. That’s exactly the way I look at it. The Auburn players will have this season to remember the rest of their lives. Sure it would be nice to say Auburn is #1, but after what I saw last night down deep I’m sure all of us are glad it came out this way. I feel sorry for the OU team which had such a wonderful season until the last. 😃 **WAREAGLE** ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/72 "2005-01-06T13:52:37Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > But it’s (BCS) all not that big a deal to me. Auburn, 13-0, is the State Champ, Conference Champ and Sugar Bowl Champ. WAR EAGLE!, and congrats to Utah and So. Cal on having great seasons as well. OK, here’s a question. When you say State Champ, does that mean they had a better overall record than Alabama or does that mean that they just won the head to head game? Or do you need to do both (which they obviously did this year, I’m talking about in general)? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Zagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/73 "2005-01-06T14:11:36Z")
As a Texas fan I was hoping that a complete rout **by** OU would bump Texas up in the polls, but I found a certain satisfaction in the rout \*\*of \*\* OU in that it gave a good bitch slap to all those whining about west-coast sportswriter bias. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/74 "2005-01-06T14:44:29Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > OK, here’s a question. When you say State Champ, does that mean they had a better overall record than Alabama or does that mean that they just won the head to head game? Or do you need to do both (which they obviously did this year, I’m talking about in general)? Things in Alabama are not so complicated as the BCS. We are simple folk here: Win the game, you’re the State Champ! Strength of schedule, computers, polls, comparative scores against common opponents and which school the Governor attended matter not a bit when it comes to winning the State Championship. Just win, Baby. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/75 "2005-01-06T15:07:34Z")
Are there only 2 college teams in Alabama? ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/76 "2005-01-06T15:45:39Z")
> [@adam yax](#): > > Are there only 2 college teams in Alabama? Good point. No matter how good they are, poor UAB doesn’t even get a shot. I dunno, **John** , sounds a lot like the BCS to me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Zagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/77 "2005-01-06T16:48:59Z")
Look folks, the BCS is doing exactly what it was supposed to do: fail miserably. If the BCS worked even reasonably well, there might never be a true playoff system at all. As it is there will be rioting in the streets if the BCS contract is renewed. The more pissed off the BCS makes people, the better for college football. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/78 "2005-01-06T17:17:30Z")
I don’t give a crap about the game, I just wanna see footage of Ashlee getting booed. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/79 "2005-01-07T02:12:08Z")
> [@sturmhauke](#): > > I don’t give a crap about the game, I just wanna see footage of Ashlee getting booed. I got every second of that game and unfortunate half-time “entertainment” on tape! Years from now, I’ll whip it out and we’ll all ask each other, “Who the hell is that?”. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132/80 "2005-01-07T03:13:52Z")
> [@gatopescado](#): > > I got every second of that game and unfortunate half-time “entertainment” on tape! Years from now, I’ll whip it out and we’ll all ask each other, “Who the hell is that?”. You mean, “what the hell is that.” “Oh, it’s a VHS tape.” “Veee… Aitch… Esss?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-usc-2-oklahoma-an-asskickin/283132.md?page=3)