 |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Same story, different year for Ducks football
The Advocate
One thing stands true in the most recent college football polls – the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) still hasn't been able to figure things out with their wacky system that has failed year in and year out since its birth in 1998.
And trust me, I understand that this is a fairly common thing in our nation: "systems that fail." But that doesn't mean I will sit back and not make a strong case against it. Isn't that the whole idea behind being American, having a voice and the freedom of speech?
With that rant out of the way, let the mini-history lesson begin.
Many fans, or people with any sports knowledge (specifically Oregonians), might remember the horrible decision that was made in 2001 when Heisman-hopeful Joey Harrington and the Ducks got snubbed from a shot at the title game.
Instead, the Nebraska Cornhuskers got the shot against the unbeaten powerhouse Miami Hurricanes. Farm boy Eric Crouch (2001 Heisman award winner) and the Big Red got lit up 37-14. I am not assuming that the Ducks would have beaten the Hurricanes, but they sure as hell deserved the national title game bid.
The only hope the 11-1 Ducks had that season was shattered in a matter of a few hours, when the Cornhuskers got blown out by 23 points. Their only chance was for a Cornhuskers victory and they would have shared the national championship that season.
Moving forward to today, the Ducks (6-0, 3-0 in the Pac-10) sit at No. 1 in the two main polls (well, that's what I thought), the AP Top 25 and USA Today coaches poll. But in the BCS poll, the Duckies are ranked No. 2 behind undefeated Oklahoma (6-0, 2-0 in the Big 12 - South)
They have hands down the most explosive offense in the nation. Stats speak for themselves, folks. They are led by "LaHeisman" James, who in five games (he sat out their first game due to suspension) leads the country in rushing yards per game with 169.6 average. He also has nine rushing touchdowns to go along with his spectacular skills.
Let's just hope the BCS gets it right this go-around. So if the Ducks have a shot in the dark to be a sure shoe-in, they might want to win out, which will be an accomplishment in its own since they still have to clash with Pac-10 foes USC, Washington, California, Arizona and Oregon State
Results of Thursday night's game with UCLA were unavailable by The Advocate's Thursday press deadline.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.