ALBERT Einstein once gave this definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”
And you wonder why the Bowl Championship Series system is a maddening, saddening, frustrating exercise in insanity?
The final BCS standings were released yesterday and Ohio State, a team that hasn’t played since Nov. 17, will face LSU, which went into Saturday’s games seventh in the BCS, in the national championship game.
And that isn’t even the craziest part of the BCS.
Arizona State (10-2), with quality losses to USC and Oregon, didn’t get to the Fiesta Bowl, because the ultimate goal of bowls is to sell hotel rooms and fill restaurants.
Missouri, which began Saturday ranked No. 1 in the BCS, didn’t get a BCS bowl berth after losing to Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. Yet Illinois (9-3), ranked 13th in the final BCS standings, found itself in the granddaddy of them all – the Rose Bowl – against USC.
“The system is flawed,” Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese said. “When I was chair of the BCS selection committee, I had to get up and explain how Oklahoma, which had gotten drilled in the Big 12 title game, was going to play LSU for the championship but Southern Cal was left out.
“I’ve been asked to do a lot of hard things, but that’s at the top of them.”
Big East champ West Virginia (10-2), which had its dream of playing in the title game shattered Saturday in a 13-9 upset loss to Pittsburgh, was shipped west to face Oklahoma (11-2) in the Fiesta Bowl.
Ohio State played a schedule (Youngstown State, Akron, Washington and Kent State) you could wrap around a kitten and keep it safe. And the Big Ten was as soft as a week-old mango.
“Some people may say we’re backing in,” said Ohio State lineman Kirk Barton, “but we are 11-1.”
So is Kansas. The Jayhawks also played a schedule that could tickle the soles of the feet, but will face ACC champ Virginia Tech (11-2) in the Orange Bowl.
The Sugar Bowl paired Georgia (10-2) against Hawaii (12-0), the only undefeated team in the nation. Letting the Warriors loose in the French Quarter could be worse than the beating they’ll get from the Dawgs.
This is the BCS. Where’s Einstein when you need him?
BCS CHAMPIONSHIP
OHIO STATE (11-1) vs. LSU (11-2)
Coaches: Jim Tressel (73-15); Les Miles (33-6).
Key Offensive Players: RB Chris “Beanie” Wells; FB Jacob Hester.
Key Defensive Players: LB James Laurinaitis; DT Glenn Dorsey.
Scouting report: It’s as close to a true national championship game as we’ll get under this system. The Buckeyes are the nation’s best defensive team as long as they’re not facing a mobile quarterback, and although LSU QBs Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux aren’t statues, the Tigers offense doesn’t emphasize a moving QB. One of Tressel’s top priorities was to increase the Buckeyes’ team speed, but LSU is faster. Ohio State’s huge O-line going up against LSU’s physical and forceful D-line will be a focus.
PREDICTION: LSU 27, Ohio State 25 (3OT).
ROSE BOWL
ILLINOIS (9-3) vs. USC (10-2)
Coaches: Ron Zook (13-22); Pete Carroll (75-14).
Key Offensive Players: QB Juice Williams; RB/PR Joe McKnight.
Key Defensive Players: MLB J Leman; DE Lawrence Jackson.
Scouting report: If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, USC should feel proud as a peacock as the model many college programs are trying to duplicate: Hire a guy with NFL experience who has more energy than a 5-year-old on Tootsie Rolls, which enables him to connect with some of the best prep talent in the country. Recruit, and watch that talent do dazzling things on Saturday. Here’s the big difference – Carroll has been at USC seven seasons and Zook has been at Illinois three. Here’s the other problem: USC has great balance on offense, whereas Illinois can run, but can’t throw consistently. You can’t beat the Trojans with a one-dimensional attack.
PREDICTION: USC 51, Illinois 20
SUGAR BOWL
GEORGIA (10-2) vs. HAWAII (12-0)
Coaches: Mark Richt (71-19); June Jones (76-40).
Key Offensive Players: RB Knowshon Moreno; QB Colt Brennan.
Key Defensive Players: DE Marcus Howard; DL Solomon Elimimian.
Scouting report: Before anyone dismisses Hawaii out of hand, just remember what little chance Boise State was given last season against Oklahoma. Now let’s consider why this is different. Boise State played Georgia, Boston College and Oregon State twice in the two seasons leading up to last season’s 13-0 run. Hawaii struggled against the top teams on its schedule and the Warriors have not faced a team with Georgia’s speed and athleticism. Can that talent neutralize an offense that averages some 55 pass attempts per game? Yes.
PREDICTION: Georgia 55, Hawaii 42
FIESTA BOWL
OKLAHOMA (11-2) vs. WEST VIRGINIA (10-2)
Coaches: Bob Stoops (97-21); Rich Rodriguez (60-26).
Key Offensive Players: QB Sam Bradford; QB Pat White.
Key Defensive Players: CB Reggie Smith; CB/KR Vaughn Rivers.
Scouting report: Had the Sooners not given away a game at Colorado, they likely would be playing for the national title, one year ahead of schedule. Fortunately for them, the loss was in September. West Virginia must find a way to put Saturday’s stunning 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh behind it. As Rodriguez said: “It’s going to be a long month.” And it probably will be punctuated by a long bowl game. The Sooners have more than enough speed and more than enough time to prepare for West Virginia’s spread attack. Teams with great defensive speed and big lines cause the Mountaineers problems. Watch and marvel at OU RB DeMarco Murray.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma 47, West Virginia 28
ORANGE BOWL
VIRGINIA TECH (11-2) vs. KANSAS (11-1)
Coaches: Frank Beamer (167-84-2); Mark Mangino (36-36).
Key Offensive Players: RB Branden Ore; QB Todd Reesing.
Key Defensive Players: LB Xavier Adibi; CB Aqib Talib.
Scouting report: The intangibles are fascinating. Virginia Tech is playing for the victims of the April 16 massacre. Kansas fans, caught up in the program’s best season since 1969, will swarm to Florida. Kansas leads the nation in turnover margin, but will be tested by Tech, which has scored 74 defensive touchdowns in the Beamer era. Neither squad is outstanding at QB. Reesing had a very good season, but pressed in the big game against Missouri. Tech has gone with Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. The Jayhawks’ emotion will carry them early, but Tech’s superior speed and big play on special teams will turn this game.
PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 34, Kansas 24