What's all the fuss about in Miami?

Surprise, surprise. Only two years into college football's most recent incarnation of "we pander to the money-rich bowl system, but pretend to care about who wins the national championship," there is already massive controversy in the Bowl Championship Series. You remember, of course, that this is not the first time that the bowl games played around New Year's Day will not give fans the undisputed national champion they deserve. In 1990, before computer polls were even considered in factoring a national champion, the disparity between the two major polls led to a co-national championship, much to the chagrin of Georgia Tech and Colorado. Both of these teams were undefeated and both were victorious in their bowl games, meaning that they both had rightful claims to the national championship trophy. An even more pertinent example of national championship turmoil occurred in 1994, when Bobby Bowden won his first title at Florida State, despite the fact that his Seminoles had fallen to Notre Dame earlier in the year. Although Notre Dame had the same number of losses as the 'Noles (one), won their New Year's Day bowl game and beaten Florida State earlier in the season, it was Bowden who had the "luck of the Irish," as both the coaches' and writers' polls handed the national championship to him. Why is this example so relevant to the current national championship picture? Quite simply, Bowden might be able to get away with the same thing he did six years ago. You see, Miami lost by less than a touchdown to No. 4 Washington in only the second week of the season, but beat Florida State 27-24 three weeks later. So, of course, the 'Canes deserve to be ahead of the Seminoles in the national rankings because of the outcome of the head-to-head game, right? "Wrong" say BCS officials, who average the rankings of 10 computer-based polls in order to determine who should be playing for the title. Inexplicably, the Seminoles have continued to hold and have even solidified their lead over Miami in the BCS rankings, despite losing to their intrastate rivals earlier in the season. I want a full and accurate recount! Until a playoff system is enacted, though, no perfect solution will name our national champion. I, for one, hope that Oklahoma wins its Big 12 championship game this weekend and goes on to beat the Seminoles in the Orange Bowl over New Year's. That way, at least we'll have a clear, undefeated, undisputed national champion. But if this doesn't pan out, then we will witness another instance of the absurdity that is college football's postseason.