BCS Championship Game: Why Auburn Already Deserves a Spot

This morning, I turned on ESPNU to get my daily, morning dose of Colin Cowherd. Colin said he was "praying" that Auburn beat South Carolina and Oregon beat Oregon State so TCU could not play for the national championship.

According to what I've heard by most publications, all TCU has to do is hope Auburn loses and they will have a shot to play in the big game.

Cowherd was obviously against TCU, saying he would rather "get teeth pulled" than watch the Horned Frogs take the national spotlight.

I can't relate entirely with his opinions. I wouldn't mind a TCU vs. Oregon matchup.

I think TCU is a great football team. I have no doubt they would compete with whoever they went up against.

Still, I don't like the fact they could jump Auburn, but would be okay if they jumped Oregon if Oregon loses.

I believe, however, that Auburn has already reserved the right to play for the national title.

They've already played 12 games. TCU has already played 12. Oregon will be playing their 12th game tomorrow. 

TCU has a great track record. They have quality conference wins against programs like BYU and Utah, who have not only competed, but won against mega-conference teams like Oklahoma and Alabama, respectively. 

And TCU has beaten Oregon State, so if the Ducks fall in the Civil War, than the Horned Frogs should be a shoe in.

But if Auburn loses in the SEC title game and Oregon wins the Civil War, it is only fair that TCU is left out.

Auburn shouldn't be penalized for playing one more game than the rest, especially against a quality opponent like South Carolina.

If these smaller conference schools want to get to the big game, I think the NCAA should rule that teams in conferences that do not have championship games should be allowed to pursue a 13-game regular-season schedule.

If Auburn, who has gone undefeated in the SEC against the best of the best, has to play a game this weekend, then any other team that wants a spot in the national championship had better not be sitting on couches watching.

Running through a weaker conference schedule and then sitting a weekend while watching the No. 1 team in the nation lose in a championship game should be no formula for getting to the top.

I'm sorry. I'm as much of a supporter for the Boises and TCUs of the world as the rest of us.

TCU can still qualify for the championship game. An Oregon loss to Oregon State should mean a No. 2 ranking for the Frogs.

But Auburn has earned their stripes. They're the No. 1 team right now, and losing an extra game in a championship setting should have no effect on their ranking.