A Proper Postseason: Comparing the BCS to a Plus-One (Part II: 2003-2007)

Part I of this article explained the background of a Plus-One idea and how it would be implemented, then analyzed the first five years of the BCS.

The following finishes up the BCS era and gives an overall verdict of the BCS and a Plus-One option.

Read the first article here before proceeding.

The History (2003-2007)

2003

BCS top 5 (losses in parentheses):

1. Oklahoma (1)
2. LSU (1)
3. USC (1)
4. Michigan (2)
5. Ohio State (2)

Other undefeateds: None

Controversy: This was arguably the most controversial year of the BCS. Three major-conference teams ended the season with one loss. USC, though ranked at the top of the AP poll, was left out of the championship game in favor of LSU and Oklahoma. The Sooners were coming off a bad loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship game, but failed to drop from first in the BCS. Despite the goal of the BCS, the bowl pairings were reminiscent of the old Bowl Alliance, and resulted in a split national championship.

Plus-One: A plus-one would have eliminated the debate over who the top two teams were—all three worthy candidates would have been given a shot. It would have opened the door to arguments over the fourth seed between a large pack of two-loss teams with similar pedigrees.

(1) Oklahoma vs. (4) Michigan

(2) LSU vs. (3) USC

Analysis: It’s likely that if the BCS formula used relied on the polls as much as the present one does, this situation wouldn’t have occurred. Still, most of the controversy would have remained, and any pairing for the national championship would have been tainted. In a nightmare scenario for the BCS, a plus-one would have fixed the biggest problems.

Conclusion: The BCS failed miserably, while a plus-one would have only the relatively minor issue of deciding on a fourth-place team.

Grades: BCS: D-; Plus-One: B

2004

BCS top 5 (losses in parentheses):

1. USC (0)
2. Oklahoma (0)
3. Auburn (0)
4. Texas (1)
5. California (1)

Other undefeateds: #6 Utah, #9 Boise State

Controversy:

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