Reader Is Buffaloed in the Great Debate Over National Title

Steven Hill of Irvine (Viewpoint, Jan. 5) presented eight reasons why Georgia Tech deserves the national championship. Hey Steve, consider these facts you omitted from your eight reasons:

1. The famous fifth down was an officiating error discovered 15 minutes after the game was over. Do you really think Lou Holtz, Larry Smith, Joe Paterno or even Bobby Ross would forfeit a game under the same circumstances?

2. I’d rather lose by one point to Illinois in Champaign than tie North Carolina State.

3. Colorado beat Nebraska, at Lincoln, in a driving rainstorm.

4. Colorado tied Tennessee without All-American Eric Bieniemy. Tennessee defeated Virginia in the Sugar Bowl.

5. Colorado played Notre Dame without all-Big Eight quarterback Darian Hagan and All-Big Eight linebacker Kanavis McGhee in the second half. Come on, Steve. Do you think Georgia Tech would consider Notre Dame more myth than substance?

6. Clemson is a member of the vaunted ACC. I must say I’m not impressed with its 59-0 victory over Cal State Long Beach. Winning percentage built from fluff schedules is as questionable as any fifth down.

7. Three of the teams Colorado defeated this year played in bowl games. A team it tied beat an ACC team in a bowl game. Notre Dame, that mythical team Colorado beat in the Orange Bowl, defeated no less than six bowl teams this season.

8. Obviously, Georgia Tech’s record cannot be disputed. However, its schedule and level of competition pales in comparison to not only Colorado’s, but numerous ranked teams.

I do agree with you that Colorado vs. Georgia Tech on Jan. 26 would make a nice opener for the Super Bowl.

LARRY HUWA

San Pedro