Who beats the Nittany Lions?

[knapplc]

Which Big 10 team(s) have a similar resume to USC over the Pete Carroll era?

[A Fleshner Fantasy]

Which Big 10 team(s) have a similar resume to USC over the Pete Carroll era?

The Pete Carroll era shouldn't matter. All that matters for THIS YEARS national championship is THIS YEARS accomplishments. The fact that USC has been good for the past few years doesn't make them any more qualified now than a team like Penn St., who has been good but not great for the past few years.

[knapplc]

OK, gotcha. For my money, USC beats any team in the Big Ten this year.

[deerayfan072]

OK, gotcha. For my money, USC beats any team in the Big Ten this year.

Close with PSU IMO, but I agree

[ShoelessJoe]

Which Big 10 team(s) have a similar resume to USC over the Pete Carroll era?

The Pete Carroll era shouldn't matter. All that matters for THIS YEARS national championship is THIS YEARS accomplishments. The fact that USC has been good for the past few years doesn't make them any more qualified now than a team like Penn St., who has been good but not great for the past few years.

I'm not saying what should happen or what is fair, I'm being realistic.

USC has a much better national perception than other PAC-10 teams and Big 10 Teams. It's the same thing as Notre Dame getting BCS bids when they shouldn't. Just because they're Notre Dame they are more likely to be voted higher and more likely to get a better bowl game. Also, there is kind of a negative national perception facing Ohio State at the moment and I think that is passed along to Big 10 teams as well.

[BritSox]

And the above is why, despite being resolutely Catholic and ethnically Irish, I harbour a strong dislike of the Golden Domers.

I agree the recent OSU losses in title games have hurt- but I still don't think a one-loss SEC or Big 12 team gets in over an unbeaten Penn State. The argument about 'proving it on the field' was bitter enough when we were talking Boise and any BCS bowl. To deny a BCS conference team that's gone unbeaten a shot at an NC is, i think, implausible. Also, imagine the scenario where you have an unbeaten Penn State, a one-loss (let's say for the sake of argument) Florida, a one-loss OU and a one-loss USC. Can you imagine what would happen if Fl and OU went to the Nat Champ, and Penn State and USC went to the Rose Bowl? Every chance of a split championship.

[ShoelessJoe]

And the above is why, despite being resolutely Catholic and ethnically Irish, I harbour a strong dislike of the Golden Domers.

I agree the recent OSU losses in title games have hurt- but I still don't think a one-loss SEC or Big 12 team gets in over an unbeaten Penn State. The argument about 'proving it on the field' was bitter enough when we were talking Boise and any BCS bowl. To deny a BCS conference team that's gone unbeaten a shot at an NC is, i think, implausible. Also, imagine the scenario where you have an unbeaten Penn State, a one-loss (let's say for the sake of argument) Florida, a one-loss OU and a one-loss USC. Can you imagine what would happen if Fl and OU went to the Nat Champ, and Penn State and USC went to the Rose Bowl? Every chance of a split championship.

There's no such thing as a split championship. We have a system that gives us a National Champion.

[A Fleshner Fantasy]

Which Big 10 team(s) have a similar resume to USC over the Pete Carroll era?

The Pete Carroll era shouldn't matter. All that matters for THIS YEARS national championship is THIS YEARS accomplishments. The fact that USC has been good for the past few years doesn't make them any more qualified now than a team like Penn St., who has been good but not great for the past few years.

I'm not saying what should happen or what is fair, I'm being realistic.

USC has a much better national perception than other PAC-10 teams and Big 10 Teams. It's the same thing as Notre Dame getting BCS bids when they shouldn't. Just because they're Notre Dame they are more likely to be voted higher and more likely to get a better bowl game. Also, there is kind of a negative national perception facing Ohio State at the moment and I think that is passed along to Big 10 teams as well.

I know that this happens. My original question was WHY this happens.

[Daddymike59]

I have 2 votes to cast I think Wisc AND OSU both beat PSU.

[BritSox]

There's no such thing as a split championship. We have a system that gives us a National Champion.

If i recall, aren't the coaches obliged to vote for the winner of the NC game but the writers free to vote for whoever they want?