Jan. 02--For a long time, the Southeastern Conference has been to college football what Shakespeare's Julius Caesar was to ordinary humans: "He doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus." It often seemed as though it existed on a level all its own, below only the NFL.
Every year from 2007 through 2012, the national champion came from the SEC. Midway through this season, the conference had five of the top 10 teams in the national rankings -- with more (two) from the state of Mississippi than the entire Big Ten could claim (one).
Midwesterners have always liked to think of the Big 10 as the gold standard of gridiron prowess, boasting legendary players like Red Grange, Archie Griffin and Drew Brees, as well as coaching immortals like Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. But in this century, at least, the Big 10 has been downright ordinary. No member has won a national title since Ohio State in 2002.
So allow us a moment to gloat about Thursday's Sugar Bowl, which was supposed to be a mere formality for unstoppable Alabama on its way to the BCS title game on Jan. 12. Late in the second quarter, that's exactly what it looked like. The Crimson Tide had built a 21-6 lead on turnovers and red-zone defensive stands, and Buckeye fans had a familiar queasy feeling.
But Ohio State scored two touchdowns in the closing minutes of the half to cut the deficit to one. Early in the third quarter, it shocked Bama with a 47-yard touchdown pass that put the Scarlet and Gray ahead for good. The guy who threw it, by the way, was a third-string sophomore, Cardale Jones -- making only his second career start because of injuries to the guys ahead of him.
The Sugar Bowl win puts Ohio State in the title contest in Arlington, Texas, against Pac-12 champion Oregon, which demolished Florida State. The Ducks are more evidence of the new order in college football, having never won a national championship.
Hmm. Big 10 vs. Pac-12 ... sounds like the Rose Bowl. Too bad it won't be played on New Year's Day under a brilliant California sky, enticing shivering heartland residents to contemplate moving west.
This matchup is not the only sign that the tectonic plates may be shifting under the sport. The SEC had a losing record against schools from other power conferences this season, and the postseason has been no picnic either. Ole Miss, ranked No. 3 earlier, got crushed by Texas Christian in the Peach Bowl. Overall, the Big 10 and Pac-12 had winning bowl records, while the SEC just broke even.
Something else ought to change as well: the method of determining a national champion. This year's four-team playoff is an improvement on the old system, which relied on polls to set the title matchup. But better yet would be a tournament involving eight or 10 teams, with existing bowls repurposed to serve as early-round venues.
That way there would be more opportunities for top-notch teams to compete. TCU, which lost only one game, can make a case that it deserved a shot this year. Baylor had a case until, ahem, it lost to the Big 10's Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl. (Great comeback, Sparty.)
Arguments over matters like this are great for talk radio sports programs. But for the sport itself, the optimal formula is one that resolves as much as possible on the field.
An expanded playoff would lend excitement to the college football season, and it would afford greater opportunities to schools from every conference. Even the SEC.
