No. 1 vs. No. 2, that's the whole point of the BCS national championship, and everybody's happy.
Right?
Fans of Auburn and Oregon, and those who say the system has worked since its inception in 1999, think so - but TCU, the nation's other undefeated regular-season team, was on the outside looking in, getting the consolation prize by winning the Rose Bowl.
BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock understands the situation.
"What we have is an event that leads to a two-team championship game, not a three-team championship game," he said. "(TCU) had a great season, well-coached, a very good football team.
"What I tell them is, 'Congratulations on a great season, and remember that you got a Rose Bowl reward that was made possible because of the BCS, and you'll remember that Rose Bowl for the rest of your lives.' That is a good football team."
Still, the national championship game comes down to opinions and computer analysis. Hancock does not see that as a drawback.
"There are 270 voters, each of them an individual (who) makes individual decisions based on what he or she thinks is best."
And coaches, players and fans of the Ducks can attest to that.
Before the game, he was on the field wearing a sharp three-piece suit, which he purchased a few days ago, for the first time.
He was hoping it was a good-luck charm, and even though the outfit is expensive, he said he would not mind if he wore it just one time.
His plan if the Ducks won: "I'll just retire it, hang it up and look at it."
An Auburn insider said Taylor wanted a song that could define the team, one with a message the team could rally behind.
The ritual is repeated following the game as well.
- Honorary captains for the game were two former All-Americans, Bo Jackson from Auburn and Oregon's Ahmad Rashad (then known as Bobby Moore). Both were introduced to thunderous applause from the sellout crowd of 78,000-plus.
- An American eagle with great timing soared around the stadium during the singing of the national anthem.
- Demand for tickets and BCS championship pins was so high that fans begged reporters to sell them their media credentials and souvenir pins. Apparently, all the 750 media members were legit.
Right?
Fans of Auburn and Oregon, and those who say the system has worked since its inception in 1999, think so - but TCU, the nation's other undefeated regular-season team, was on the outside looking in, getting the consolation prize by winning the Rose Bowl.
BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock understands the situation."What we have is an event that leads to a two-team championship game, not a three-team championship game," he said. "(TCU) had a great season, well-coached, a very good football team.
"What I tell them is, 'Congratulations on a great season, and remember that you got a Rose Bowl reward that was made possible because of the BCS, and you'll remember that Rose Bowl for the rest of your lives.' That is a good football team."
Still, the national championship game comes down to opinions and computer analysis. Hancock does not see that as a drawback.
"There are 270 voters, each of them an individual (who) makes individual decisions based on what he or she thinks is best."
Dress for success
For Oregon running-backs coach Gary Campbell, dressing sharp is part of his lifestyle. The fashion sense he learned at a young age from his mother is something he has not forgotten.And coaches, players and fans of the Ducks can attest to that.
Before the game, he was on the field wearing a sharp three-piece suit, which he purchased a few days ago, for the first time.
He was hoping it was a good-luck charm, and even though the outfit is expensive, he said he would not mind if he wore it just one time.
His plan if the Ducks won: "I'll just retire it, hang it up and look at it."
Circle of prayer
Before Auburn's first game of the season, assistant head coach Trooper Taylor began what has become a seasonlong ritual. About 2 1/2 before kickoff, the team runs onto the field and forms a circle for a prayer - then they sing a few choruses of "Lean on Me."An Auburn insider said Taylor wanted a song that could define the team, one with a message the team could rally behind.
The ritual is repeated following the game as well.
Extra points
There was a moment of silence and prayer before the game - it was included in the national ESPN telecast - for the victims of Saturday's shooting in Tucson.- Honorary captains for the game were two former All-Americans, Bo Jackson from Auburn and Oregon's Ahmad Rashad (then known as Bobby Moore). Both were introduced to thunderous applause from the sellout crowd of 78,000-plus.
- An American eagle with great timing soared around the stadium during the singing of the national anthem.
- Demand for tickets and BCS championship pins was so high that fans begged reporters to sell them their media credentials and souvenir pins. Apparently, all the 750 media members were legit.
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