[Nan3cy]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=9325.msg80546#msg80546 date=1388727195]
That's three BCS Bowl Games and the underdog has won all three.

Stanford was the favorite who lost by the fewest points and was closest to winning. 

Doesn't make the Rose Bowl loss less frustrating, but Alabama's loss certainly helps in the perception war that will determine who the top 4 teams are in the 4-team playoff.  Of course, it also shows the sheer folly of having only four teams in a playoff.

Actually, to me it shows the folly of having a playoff at all.  The idea that you can determine the "best" team by a single elimination playoff is ludicrous.  You will get years where the fourth best team, the one that arguably should have been left off altogether, wins the whole thing.  Then all a National Championship means is that you were one of the best four teams in the country, and then finished your season with two consecutive wins.

BC
[/quote]

Like the year that Arizona won the NCAA basketball championship after finishing fifth (!) in the Pac-10 during the season (no Pac-10 tournament at that time, IIRC).

[Nan3cy]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=9325.msg80546#msg80546 date=1388727195]
That's three BCS Bowl Games and the underdog has won all three.

Stanford was the favorite who lost by the fewest points and was closest to winning. 

Doesn't make the Rose Bowl loss less frustrating, but Alabama's loss certainly helps in the perception war that will determine who the top 4 teams are in the 4-team playoff.  Of course, it also shows the sheer folly of having only four teams in a playoff.

Actually, to me it shows the folly of having a playoff at all.  The idea that you can determine the "best" team by a single elimination playoff is ludicrous.  You will get years where the fourth best team, the one that arguably should have been left off altogether, wins the whole thing.  Then all a National Championship means is that you were one of the best four teams in the country, and then finished your season with two consecutive wins.

BC
[/quote]

Like the year that Arizona won the NCAA basketball championship after finishing fifth (!) in the Pac-10 during the season (no Pac-10 tournament at that time, IIRC).