Backing the BCS

I realize that facts shouldn’t get in the way of Chris Dufresne’s single obsession, his one purpose in life, his only reason for being: to whine and cry about the BCS and the lack of major college playoffs.

So I understand that he needs to emphasize the faults and weaknesses of the top two teams, rather than their strengths, in order to undermine the legitimacy of the BCS. For example, he probably doesn’t want to mention that in nine games this year, the Alabama Crimson Tide has trailed for a total of 75 seconds. Or that the Penn State Nittany Lions have beaten their Pac-10 and Big Ten opponents by an average of more than 24 points. Those facts suggest that the BCS system might be working pretty well and so I can understand why he wouldn’t want to mention them.

But don’t you think that he should draw the line at false statements? On Nov. 2 he writes that “Alabama didn’t score an offensive touchdown against Tulane.” That statement supports his single obsession, but there is a problem with it. It’s not true. Alabama’s Mark Ingram rushed 15 yards to score on the last play of the third quarter against Tulane, putting the Tide up, 20-3.

Patrick Horn

Claremont

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Bill Plaschke, what you conveniently overlook with respect to Auburn [Nov. 5] is that USC beat them in 2002 at the Coliseum and in 2003 opened the season on the road at highly ranked Auburn and shut them out, 23-0. Even though they were undefeated, what makes you think the result would have been any different in 2004 when USC beat Oklahoma, 55-19, in the Orange Bowl for the national championship and Auburn barely beat Virginia Tech, 16-13, in the Sugar Bowl?

Steve Brodhead

Redondo Beach

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Gosh, a thoughtful, well-written story by Bill Plaschke, Honest about the USC hype. Frank about Cal. No wonder The Times was sold out throughout the city when he penned his piece for the day after the election. We should have more elections. It must be four years since Plaschke made so much sense. Maybe eight, but who’s counting?

Ron Combs

Manhattan Beach

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Bill, your column regarding USC and the BCS is silly, and you know it. I’m sure you get paid to be an annoying contrarian. Well, job well done. But in your heart of hearts, and even with your limited reasoning skills, you know we need a playoff. I don’t need to state the obvious reasons why -- you already know them.

The one thing I do agree with you about is that USC does not deserve a shot at the national championship under the system as it is. They do have to be punished for the lameness of the Pac-10 this year. But arguing that they don’t deserve to be at the top of the BCS rankings has nothing to do with the playoff issue. There should be one. No champion should be decided by conjecture or hypothetical musings.

Shylie Thomas

Redondo Beach

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Bill’s article on the BCS and Pete Carroll’s whining about how the system is set up was right on!!

Nobody feels sorry for the Trojans or Pete Carroll. Hey, Pete: Waaaahhhh!!!!

Paul Gaines

Menifee

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After reading Bill Plaschke’s column about Pete Carroll’s whining over the BCS, seems Plaschke is still sore over his “Westwood Ho” column seven years ago when he anointed Los Angeles the Bruins’ football town.

Three words, Bill: “Let it Go.”

Albert Pena

Pico Rivera