I was wondering about that math. Somehow I don't remember Auburn being in Atlanta representing the SEC West the last four straight years. It must be like Ole Miss claiming they were the co-champs in 2003.
The rules are what they are. The SEC recognizes Co-Champs. In that respect Tubby is right. I really don't have a problem with that if there is a three way tie and no one team defeated both of the others. I will plead ignorance to the fact if 2001 was a 2 or 3 way tie. What I will say, and be lambasted by some of my own, if there is a 2 way tie, and one team defeated the other on the field of play, there should not be a tie. If it is Round Robin Losses, who can really say? LSU bested AU on the field in 2001. If it was a two team declaration, it shouldn't be a tie. I said as much when I was called down for rooting for LSU against Tenn, because if LSU lost to Tenn. and Fl., it could help AU win the West, even if AU lost to LSU. I think AU and LSU were in the SEC West, and don't think games against non common opponents from the East should determine the West Champs. I don't think you should back into championships. The SEC, however, didn't ask for my opinion, and does recognize AU as West Co-Champ. As far as the MNC goes, it is mythical until it is settled on the field. Even the championship that LSU earned is disputed. Does that make it any less valuable to LSU? Do you grant that USC was just as much as a champion as LSU? The media was certainly wrong about OU being number 2, it could have been as wrong calling USC #1, but we never will know because it wasn't settled on the field. All anyone is doing is claiming MNC's. The Championships that pay more "rights" fees are considered more prestigious, but are not necessarily more valid.
That sounds like something someone who didn't win the title would say. That's like when a fat and ugly chick says "The only thing that matters is what's on the inside."
We will get flamed together but I agree 2004 and Auburn being undefeated are history so hopefully I can be viewed as unbiased in saying that. I see the same situation shaping up this year and it will be interesting to see how that left out school reacts.
So answer the question, is your championship valid? The poll that usc won doesn't say that LSU was a Co-Champion. It said LSU was number 2. Was that poll correct? What undisputable piece of evidence makes one team the Champ, or even Co-Champ.? What renders one poll more valid? If the polls do not agree, was the MNC vacated that year. It is conjecture until it is settled on the field.
Your argument is invalid because LSU and USC did not play one another in 2003. Every SEC West team plays every other SEC West team every year. If 2 or 3 teams have the same record in the West, the team that did not lose to the other team(s) is the champion. There is no 'tie.' And it doesn't change what Tubby said. Maybe he meant something different. But given his position and knowledge, I would expect him to be more careful about saying things like that.
When all 117 teams lined up for the opening KO in 2003 they were all playing for the right to be in the championship game and win the BCS NC. Is it valid, yes 100% valid. The BCS championship was not a co-championship. USC can claim an AP Championship, doesn't bother me in the least, but they cannot claim a share of the championship that every team was after, including them. So to me there is no mythical in our championship, we won it by following the system, not just by a vote. Let me ask you, have you seen any pictures of the Trojans running around with the 2004 AP championship, seems like I've seen them with the Crystal Football on many ocassions, but not the AP Trophy. They let me know which one was more important just by that. As for 2001 and 2003, there was not a 3 way tie in records, only a two way, we won the head to haed, thus we are the West Champs but more imprtantly we won the conference championship as well.
It was "Mythical" until the BCS was put in place. At that point, the winner of the BCS NC game was the National Champion. There is no disputing that USC was the Associated Press Champion. LSU's NC was earned on the field. Nothing "Mythical" about it. You have every right to be upset about the hand dealt Auburn last year. USC was in the same boat in 2003. Sucks for them, but the system is the system. I didn't see any pictures of Petey Carroll holding up the AP trophy (which they won) last year. No sir. His grubby paws went right for the crystal football.
