Sugar’s Artificial After USC’s Rose Bowl Win

Anybody out there doubt that the crushing USC victory over Michigan has turned the Sugar Bowl into the Sweet ‘n’ Low Bowl? No matter the outcome in New Orleans, USC is not only the best college team in the country this season, these Trojans are arguably the best college football team we’ve seen in the last couple of decades.

Joel Rapp

Los Angeles

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Oklahoma and LSU are fortunate to be playing in the Sugar Bowl for the so-called BCS championship. Both teams, however, should be thankful that neither one has to play USC.

Wayne Muramatsu

Cerritos

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In case the BCS computers missed it, USC’s regular-season opponents were 5-1 in bowl games. Cal, Washington State, Oregon State, Auburn and Hawaii all won.

Only the Bruins lost their bowl game. Put that in your computer and declare the only proper national champion!

Scot Obler

Huntington Beach

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USC is ranked No. 1 in both the writers’ and the coaches’ polls. The BCS has other ideas. A decisive Trojan victory in the Rose Bowl. The ABC announcers overwhelmingly side with the Trojans on their share of the national championship. Oklahoma and LSU now play in a pseudo-national championship game that’s whittled down to an afterthought. The coaches teeter on which team they should vote for come late Sunday evening. The public is transfixed and ready to pounce. All heck is ready to break loose.

Y2K apparently arrived four years too late.

Brian M. Green

Long Beach

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Congratulations to USC for winning one component of the BCS system. But you did not win the national championship. For those simpletons (USC grads) who cannot figure it out, here’s the clear explanation:

The BCS system was created because the writers’ and coaches’ polls could not fairly determine the championship. Three major flaws of the polls were cited: They are vulnerable to geographic bias, they penalize late-season losses more severely than early-season losses, and they reward creampuff schedules. That’s why Nebraska, Florida State and Miami ruled the 1990s -- they dominated weak conferences and weak schedules. The Pacific 10, the Big Ten and the Southeastern, all solid conferences, could not compete. Hence, the creation of the BCS, which rewards achievement against better opponents.

Simply put, USC had the same record (11-1) as Oklahoma and LSU, but against a weaker schedule.

The whole controversy proves exactly why the BCS is needed. It identifies important criteria (strength of schedule) that are ignored by humans!

USC agreed to abide by the BCS several years ago, and now the Trojans are departing from it when it conveniently suits them. C’mon, Trojans, accept your second-place finish with honor instead of whining, and schedule tougher opponents next year.

Steve Welkington

Los Angeles

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ABC forgot the ABCs for USC. Where were the stats -- the replays of great pass defense? Great game. Bad broadcast. Keith, turn in your leather helmet.

Tony Henrich

Arcadia