Trying to Make BCSense of It All

With no formal playoff system in Division I-A college football, the participants in a national championship game are determined by the final bowl championship series (BCS) rankings--which use a formula that incorporates the Associated Press media and the USA Today/ESPN coaches’ polls, eight computer rankings, strength of schedule, win-loss record and bonus points for “big” wins. Miami was No. 1 and Nebraska a controversial No. 2 by virtue of the final BCS rankings that were announced Sunday, and the schools will play in the national championship game at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 3.

BCS Rankings

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Rk School Record Points 1. Miami 11-0 2.62 2. Nebraska 11-17 .23 3. Colorado 10-27 .28 4. Oregon 10-18 .67 5. Florida 9-213 .09

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Polls

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Rk School Points 1. Miami 1,500 2. Oregon 1,398 3. Colorado 1,337 4. Nebraska 1,334 5. Florida 1,184

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USA/ESPN

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Rk School Points 1. Miami 1,800 2. Oregon 1,698 3. Colorado 1,649 4. Nebraska 1,556 5. Florida 1,396

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PULLING RANK

Nebraska, though ranked behind Oregon and Colorado in the media and coaches’ polls, was either second or third in each of the BCS’ eight computer rankings, which helped boost the Cornhuskers into the national championship game. The final margin was so close--by five hundredths of a point--that if Colorado had been one place higher in any of the computer rankings, the Buffaloes would be in the Rose Bowl. Complete BCS rankings, D12.

BCS Bowls

ROSE, Jan. 3 at Pasadena

Miami vs. Nebraska

ORANGE, Jan. 2 at Miami

Maryland vs. Florida

FIESTA, Jan. 1 at Tempe, Ariz.

Colorado vs. Oregon

SUGAR, Jan. 1 at New Orleans

Illinois vs. Louisiana State

TIME TO SPLIT?

There is also a possibility of split national champions should Miami lose. The Colorado-Oregon winner could then get the No. 1 ranking in the final Associated Press poll, for which voting is held immediately after the Rose Bowl. The coaches, however, are under contract to recognize the Rose Bowl winner as national champion.