Arguments for All

Now that USC, Texas and Utah have won their BCS bowl games, coaches from each of the squads are calling for a national championship. Hmmm ... not everyone can win it, but everyone thinks they should. The problem is, everyone has an argument. I'm going to go through those arguments, neglecting the bowl games because I'm giving the arguments for the teams to play in the national title game. I'm going to go through them in order of the final BCS ranking (pre-bowl season).

1. Oklahoma - The argument for Oklahoma is simple ... the Sooners were the winner of one of the best conferences in football. The offense is incredible and the team is peaking at the right time. They split with Texas and Texas Tech, but the loss to Texas was relatively early in the season (and OU led in the 4th quarter 35-30) and the Sooners smashed an undefeated Tech squad. Plus, OU handily beat Cincinnati and TCU. The Bearcats won the Big East and the Horned Frogs took Utah to the wire at Utah.

2. Florida - The Gators only loss was by 1 point to a solid Ole Miss squad and the margin of victory was a missed extra point. A missed extra point. The Gators won the SEC, which is historically the best conference in football. And, aside from the 31 UF allowed to Mississippi in the 4th game of the season, Florida has allowed a maximum of 21 points. It's possible that offenses in the SEC aren't great this year, but Florida, obviously, has a solid D to go with a dynamic offense.

3. Texas - The argument for the Longhorns centers on their victory over OU on a neutral site. The loss was a last second loss at Texas Tech at the end of a rough stretch in the season (OU, Missouri, Oklahoma State, TTU).

4. Alabama - Nick Saban's squad was the only team to complete the regular season undefeated in a "BCS conference". Sure, they lost to UF in the SEC Championship Game, but how 'bout a rematch? Florida and Georgia are the only teams that put up more than 21 points on us and those teams are led by a couple decent (catch the sarcasm?) quarterbacks (Tebow and Stafford). Bama beat LSU and Georgia on the road and smashed Clemson to kick off the season. The SEC is the best conference ... why shouldn't Alabama get another shot at Florida?

5. USC - The Trojans have been really good for quite some time ... and this is just a continuation. The loss to Oregon State was a fluke. The defense is really good and the offense showed that it can put up a lot of points against teams from the state of Washington. The Trojans smashed Ohio State in a marquee early-season showdown and gave up a season-high 27 points against the Beavers. Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Alabama can't say the most points they allowed was 27. USC didn't schedule any non-BCS conference schools and allowed 3 or less points in 6 games, 7 or less in 8 games, and 10 or less in 10 of 12 games. Defense wins championships ... and the USC defense is pretty dang good.

6. Utah - The Utes are undefeated. They haven't lost, how can you not allow them to play for the national title? The Mountain West is a good conference, too. Plus, Utah scheduled 2 big non-conference games, although the Michigan win doesn't look quite so good ... but how were the Utes supposed to know when they scheduled the match-up? Utah beat the same Oregon State team that beat USC the week before!

7. Texas Tech - The Red Raiders beat Texas. By splitting with Texas and OU, aren't they just as worthy as the others to represent the Big 12 South in post-season play? Sure, the non-conference schedule was lacking, but Utah played Weber State and Utah State in non-conference matches!

8. Penn State - The Nittany Lions smashed Oregon State early in the season ... if you want to use the Beavers as a benchmark, you have to put Penn State above Utah and USC. Penn State won the Big 10(11) and the only loss was a one-point loss at Iowa in bad weather. Penn State allowed 24 points twice ... that's even less than the most points USC allowed! And, Penn State posted 40+ 7 times, including 5 times against teams from BCS conferences. Offense and defense, what more could you want?

9. Boise State - The Broncos finished the regular season undefeated. Boise State beat Oregon. Boise State allowed 10 or less 8 times and scored 40+ 6 times. Only twice did Boise State allow more than 16 points. Not everyone can be in BCS conferences ... Boise State is undefeated ... how can you keep them out?

Obviously, each of these teams can be argued against as well. Maybe I'll do that soon ... it's more fun, anyway.