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Florida win keeps BCS Nightmare!

The big question that everyone asked is - what happened to Ohio State? Everyone is talking about how the Gators demolished the Buckeyes to win the 2006 BCS College Football Championship. The Gators looked as if they were in a different league to the Buckeyes. And the truth is they are.

The 1941-1914 results end makes the game seem closer than it was. Half of the Buckeyes 14 points came from the opening kickoff return. After that play, the Buckeyes were completely dominated in every phase of the game. Florida had 370 total yards to Ohio State 82. The Buckeyes Heisman 'Trophy quarterback Troy Smith was held to only 4 endings diversion (two in each half), 35 yards, 1 interception, 0 touchdowns. The BCS Championship game was the worst game in the career of Troy Smith.

It is not a coincidence that the National Championship Game was also the first time Troy Smith had never been in the same field with the speed and power of a Southeastern Conference (SEC) football team. I bet that many Buckeye players celebrated on the day after the game. He welcomed the fact that probably will never play in the same field with a team from the SEC.

There is an old adage that "practice makes perfect." Playing in the SEC, Florida has a chance to practice. In 2006, the Gators had the toughest schedule in the country (.643 opponents winning percentage). Florida beat four Top-25 teams (LSU, Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee) and lost to the fifth - # 9 Auburn. In addition, beat four other bowl teams (Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky and Florida State). So, the night before the last game, the Gators had already played against NINE other bowl teams.

Ohio State? Well, the Buckeyes play in the Big Ten and therefore were only three Top-25 teams all year. Was averaged over 36 points and 410 yards per game mostly against weak opponents. Ohio State simply was not prepared for talent and the strength of a team like Florida. Gators defensive end Jarvis Moss said after the game that four or five SEC teams could beat Ohio State. I do not go that far, but it is true that nine teams from Florida to the SEC (including Vanderbilt) played the Gators has been harder than Ohio.

You need further evidence of the SEC is in a league of its own? OK Since the advent of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system, the SEC leads all conferences (for a wide margin) with a 10-4 BCS bowl game record. SEC teams are 3-0 in games BCS National Championship. In this season of college football past, the SEC:

1. He led the country with six teams in the final AP Top 25 poll. No other conference had more than four.

2. In season Typically, the SEC had an incredible 41-7 non-conference record. This non-conference winning percentage of .854 was the best in the nation.

3. If most of the teams selected for bowls (9) and more bowl victories (six). No other conference had more than four wins. Only the SEC (and Big East) had won bowl records. Even the three SEC bowl losses were close games that could have gone either way. Significantly, the SEC bowl teams face higher seeded teams from other conferences. For example, the Chick-fil-A Bowl has agreements with the SEC and ACC to select the # 5 SEC team to face the # 2 ACC. The Music City Bowl pairs # 7 of the SEC against # 5 of the ACC. However, the SEC still dominates the bowls year after year. [For more information on document SEC football, go to http://www.secsportsfan.com/sec-football.html]

The most surprising thing about the National Championship game was not what happened in the field. The most surprising (and fear) is that most of Florida was not picked to play in the game. In the narrowest of decisions, the BCS just selected Florida State in Michigan, Ohio to play the National Championship.

Everyone remembers the protests of our Michigan (and other Big Ten) friends when Florida was arrested by the Wolverines. [As to http://www.secsportsfan.com/BCS-gotitright.html for more information on that.] Of course, also now know that Michigan ended up losing decisively to USC in the Rose Bowl.

In retrospect, it is clear for all to see that Ohio State vs. Michigan in the National Championship Game would have been a national disgrace. Unfortunately, the reality is that a similar tragedy happened in the past and will happen again in the future.

Why? Simple. SEC Football is so tough it is virtually impossible for an SEC team to get through the regular season without at least one loss and no loss of almost a few other games. Champion ESA invariably comes from the crucible of a program of the SEC as a true champion, but bruised and battered. When pollsters and computers combine to select the two teams will play in the BCS National Championship, a junior team may appear more impressive than the SEC Champ due to a weaker schedule.

Many experts underestimated Florida this year because of his struggle to win several games in the SEC. Another example is 2004 when Auburn went 12-0 in the regular season (13-0 after its victory container), yet failed to qualify for the BCS title game (Oklahoma over Auburn was chosen because some of Auburn win is not perceived as quite impressive).

America was lucky last night that the right team finished in the BCS Championship Game. But the BCS system virtually guarantees future injustice. A system college football playoff is the only way to really solve the problem.

Well, it is the only way. Another option would be with the SEC Champion automatically qualify for the National Championship Game. While not the best solution would be more fair than the current system.

Mo Johnson is editor of the SEC Sportsfan.com.

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