BCS Championship: LSU-Alabama Rematch Exposes Need for a New System

The most recent BCS Standings came out earlier tonight, and it has been made official. 11-1 Alabama has retained the No. 2 spot over 11-1 Oklahoma State, and will play against 13-0 LSU in the BCS National Championship game, despite losing 9-6 at home to the Tigers in overtime. This outcome highlights several problems with the current BCS system, and how it selects its top two teams.

Firstly, the Crimson Tide did not even win their conference championship, and yet will play for all the marbles over Oklahoma State, who decisively won the Big-12 with a 44-10 victory over Oklahoma.

Alabama's No.2 standing actually benefits them more than LSU's No.1 rank, as the Tide did not have to play a game this week, getting an extra week to rest and prepare for LSU while the Tigers were contesting the conference championship against Georgia. Alabama failed to make a conference championship and was rewarded for it. Oklahoma State crushed their final opponent, and is being left out.

Oklahoma State also has a stronger resume than Alabama this season. They have played a more difficult schedule, and have an edge in both victories over winning teams (seven wins to Alabama's three), and over Top 25 teams (five wins to Alabama's two).

The Cowboys' loss is admittedly worse than Alabama's, as they lost to unranked Iowa State in double overtime, but the Cowboys' loss came on the road, right after an important figure in the Oklahoma State sports community had tragically and unexpectedly passed away, and, most importantly, against a team other than LSU. How can the BCS justify not giving Oklahoma State a shot to do what Alabama has tried to do and failed, at home?

Under the current system, a rematch for the national title is laughable. If there were a playoff in effect, two teams battling their way through the rest of the best teams in the nation could conceivably play a rematch in the title game without me taking issue.

Under the current system, however, it is ridiculous. LSU should not have to beat Alabama again to be crowned champions when they have already beaten Alabama in their house. If Alabama wins the rematch, what does it prove? They will be 12-1, having lost only to LSU. LSU will be 13-1, having won the SEC championship and having lost only to Alabama, at a neutral location.

One could argue that not only would LSU have played a tougher schedule, but their loss would have been less bad, as it was not on their home field. Crowning Alabama national champions in those circumstances would be a travesty.

The Tigers have proven themselves to be the best team in college football many times over this season, yet there is a strong, talented team that they have not yet beaten. Unfortunately, the BCS will not allow this Oklahoma State team its shot, and college football fans will instead be subjected to a national championship game that will be an exercise in redundancy if LSU wins, and a controversial mess if Alabama does.

The championship game will no doubt be a well-fought, entertaining battle between the two powerful defenses, but in terms of determining the true best team in College Football, the BCS has once again fallen short.