Poor Auburn

Carnell "Cadillac"Williams was the leading rusher
for the undefeated 13-0 Auburn Tigers

Everyone is aware of the recent smack down the NCAA has provided the University of Southern California for the recruiting tactics of then head football Coach Pete Carrol and then head basketball coach Tim Floyd.  I believe the term is referenced as "lack of institutional control," which basically means that USC was paying players to come to their school. 

USC's football program faces the loss of 30 football scholarships over 3 years and vacated 14 wins from the 2004 BCS and AP Championship season.  The 14 games represent contests that Reggie Bush, the player ruled ineligible, competed in. 

Even though USC is basically 0-14 for that season, they still will get to keep their AP Poll National Championship. 

WHAT?

A quote from an ESPN.com article from Terry Taylor, an editor with the AP, gives the following argument:

"It would be impractical to.  It's been six years. Memories have faded and the poll board from that year is no longer intact."

I'm sorry, but a little research and the use of  Google may help you remember that season very well.  Auburn finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record.

In case you didn't read that last line, I'll put it in bold. 

In 2004, the University of Auburn, who has not had recruiting scandals in the past 6 seasons, nor has shown a "lack of institutional control," finished the 2004 football season with a perfect 13-0 record.

Despite having a perfect season and being denied the opportunity the chance to play for a National Championship in 2004 (played at the time 10-2 Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl), they still will not be given what they rightly deserve. 

Not only was Auburn the first victim of the dubious BCS system by not being allowed to play for a title despite being perfect, they are also the first victim to have a perfect record, but still see the title go to a team that in fact finished the season with an ineligible player competing in every game. 

Former NBA All-Star, current TNT analyst, and
Auburn alum Charles Barkley (we really just
try to include a picture of Chuck in as many
articles as possible)

Do I think that the AP should strip USC of their National Title?  I don't know, I guess. 

What I'm more worried about is that this crazy, illogical system known as the BCS will continue to operate under its current format and continue to allow teams that follow the rules to not have a chance to play for a championship. 

To me, the recruiting scandal at USC should open one more door as to why the BCS system, and I quote Charles Barkley, "Terrible."

Hopefully this conference realignment will also realign the BCS into having a tournament. 

Do you think Auburn should be given the 2004 title?  Let me know what you think below. 

More to come on the ManSpeak's views on the USC punishment in a future article.