Rockne's Roundtable

I heard the best format for a "playoff" in college football that I believe I have ever heard this week from Chickfila Bowl CEO Gary Stokan. He is proposing a plan to have the top 8 teams play in the 4 BCS bowls (1v8, 2v7, so on). After those 4 games, take the top 2 seeded teams that won those bowl games to play for the National Title. Say the top 2 seeded teams lost in the BCS Bowls, if the #3&4 seeded teams won, those two would play for the title.

That way 8 teams would have a legitimate shot at the MNC going into NYD, EVERY single BCS Bowl on NYD would mean something again, and you get your plus one to boot.

It should be Oklahoma st. no doubt in my mind, the sec haters present company included want to see them play for the title BUT we ask know its gonna be bama again just because of money and ratings

This issue is similar to what occurs in boxing.

There are always a number of ranked contenders, but the guy deemed to be the best will always have the inside track to a rematch if the first time he fought the champ, it was a good fight. This, as opposed to bringing in another challenger who is an unknown quantity vs. the champ.

Whether or not a rematch is granted in boxing often depends on the excitement factor of the first fight. Did it end in a knockout, was it a slugfest or a boxing match, is their a particular degree of enmity between the fighters? What will the gate be like? The TV/pay-per-view money?

On the basis of the first LSU-Alabama bout -- a tightly fought, defensive batlle, with a lot of jabbing and no knockdowns -- I would give OSU, with its roundhouse right passing game a shot.

I know many football purists, particularly of SEC ilk, will wish to see a rematch between LSU and Bama, and so would I if I were a Bama fan, but I think OSU-LSU could be a very intriguing matchup -- a great puncher vs. a disciplined boxer.

I see a much more exciting game betweeen these two from an offensive standpoint -- given OSU's explosiveness and the fact that LSU can put the ball in the end zone as well. Tell me that watching MSU versus Wisconsin last night was not a better viewing experience than the LSU-Bama game.

I also think it's time to spread the wealth around. I know the SEC is, pound for pound, the best conference, but that doesn't mean that they should now have two teams in the NC game as a reflection of that. There are other good conferences and other good teams, and, one of these days, the SEC will lose its dominance.

How about giving OSU a chance to hasten the day? One of the beauties of college football is the degree of intersectional rivalry that still exists. People are still tribal, and it would be good to see a tribe from the Southwest invade the Southeast and see what havoc it can wreak.

After all, the SEC does not own the college game, as much as it might currently think so. For that reason alone, it should put its heavyweight belt on the line against an upstart challenger from somewhere else, and prove its dominance going head to head, assuming, of course, it can.

Then, of course, there is the elephant in the room -- the money. About this I know little, but, unless the networks know that an all SEC target market is potentially more lucrative than one that appeals to at least two regions of the country, if not more, instinct would suggest more interest in a game with broader appeal.

Regardless, let's have OSU and LSU with the Cowboys getting a shot at their first NC ever. Time for new blood at the top.

OK State lost to Iowa State really all that needs to be said.

As for the ranked opponents OK State beat, neither Tx A&M or Texas remain in the BCS top 25. Another is MO, which despite 5 L's was ranked at 25 for the life of me I don't understand why.

Can't say who "deserves" it more...but as ND fans, we should probably be rooting for Oklahoma State.

We lose more recruits to the SEC than to the Big 12. Any opportunity for a non-SEC national champion is a good thing for the non-SEC power teams (and yes, I think ND still falls into that category, especially with respect to recruiting).

If LSU had been playing Ok St. yesterday, the score at half would not have been 10-7, it would probably have been more like 28-7. LSU could survive no first downs and seven punts in a half to Georgia, but OK St. with 7 or 8 possessions in a half will score some points against even the best college defenses.

I'm hoping to see them get the chance. Sooooo tired of the SEC.

I said before yesterdays game that if OSU won by a significant amount versus OU that they should get their shot. Bama had theirs.