College Football Rankings

(Game Photo from USC)
Last night the USC Trojans beat the Cal Bears. It was an exciting game. I am not a big fan of the BCS system or other college rankings. Those things put too much of an emphasis on things which should not be critical to the mission of colleges or universities. Both Cal and USC care a lot about both the integrity of their schedules. Both, unlike AP third ranked Florida, have played real schedules.

While number 4 and 17 were playing Florida was playing Western Carolina. This came on top of their very rough schedule this year that included such powerhouses as Southern Mississippi and Central Florida.

All of the experts thought this would be a high scoring game - most predicted numbers for both sides in the 35 range and yet it ultimately became a contest of defense. So much for the experts. The best college football games, unlike the NFL, are a bit unpredictable. They are fun because they really do depend in part on emotion and execution.

Cal was again disappointed in their quest (since 1959) for the Rose Bowl. USC will, depending on what happens against Notre Dame and UCLA (both games are always emotional and important), either go to the Rose Bowl or to the National Championship. My son and I have been to the last two National Championship games. The two pictures of us are at the Orange Bowl and the Rose Bowl National Championship games. I would prefer to go back to the era when the Rose Bowl was the Pac 10 against the Big 10(12). That was often an interesting game between teams that played real schedules.