Yes, because not acknowledging it doesn't change the fact that your team was awarded it and it being recorded in the books.
Why would anyone look down on a national championship? The disdain for USC in 2003 always struck me more ill-guided anger. I was unhappy the AP voted a team #1 before OU/LSU even played. That meant the AP voted USC (and it could have been any team, USC was just the one in that spot) #1 to make a statement against the BCS and not because they necessarily thought they were #1.. now they may have felt USC was #1 after seeing LSU and OU play for the BCS title. If that were the case that wouldn't have bothered me as much. LSU won a title that year that was all that mattered. In 40 years, most would only know LSU won a title that year and the specifics would be less important, but the fact LSU had a championship was important. Same case here. If LSU gets voted #1 by the AP even in a loss in the title game then it would be based on respect and recognition on a national level the likes of which this great program and university has never received before. I do not want a loss. I do not anticipate a loss. However, should the crazy event occur and a loss happen and LSU still be recognized as by voters located in the northeast, pacific coast, and the midwest to the degree they are still ranked #1 and thus the best team in the land then I will welcome it. Never would I turn down national recognition and respect. This team and program have earned such lofty praise and these players and coaches are doing so without their own network (NBC/Notre Dame or Texas/LHN) and in the middle of the toughest conference in the nation with more national exposure than ever for even small conference teams (Thursday night games on ESPN). Pretty heady times we are in as LSU fans and even moreso if you are a Saints fan as well. Embrace these moments. They are precious and sadly far too rare.
So you just validated every bogus national championship Alabama has ever "won". Including the 1925 Houlgate and Helms national championship, the 1926 Helms athletic foundation national championship, the Parke Davis poll in 1930, Dunkel, Williamson, and Football Thesaurus gave them a title in 1934 and 1941. All legit right? Including the 2004 AP trophy awarded to USC without them playing a championship game, which Pete Carroll and every other coach in the country didn't buy into being a part of the national championship. AP trophy means nothing, it's just a way for whiners to claim they won something they didnt.
Because the coaches bought into the BCS system. To turn around and claim something other than what they bought into is ridiculous. It's like giving participation trophies. It's stupid.
I don't disagree, but Les isn't campaigning for the AP award. Why turn down an award? If you decide to play in a system that is clearly subjective and a respected organization that follows your accomplishments as well as those of all of your competitors then decides to award you an honor after the competition ends even if it isn't the system's designated award you would turn it down? Why? It is one thing to campaign for it. It is another to accept it.
The gumps claiming dunkin donut and dirty pampers champioships is not the same thing as the AP title. You don't have to like it but if the aforementioned scenario happens, it will forever go down as a split title and LSU will be mentioned as a 4 time NC winner.
No, it's a national championship called the AP Trophy. It's just not the BCS National Championship Trophy.
Allstate BCS Championship Game -- Some AP voters might not pick BCS winner No. 1 - ESPN Even some will vote for Oklahoma State over Bama if Bama wins. It's very much up in the air. Although it's ultimately a moot point. :thumb:
