That's what I'm looking for too. I wouldn't be surprised if Tuberville has put the idea into his players heads that it could still be a possibility. Especially if the Orange Bowl is a squeeker and Auburn wins in a blowout. I would like to hear from an RX expert here and tell me there isn't at least a remote possibility of the same thing that happened last year. IMO Auburn not going to the championship game is just as controversial as what happened with USC last year.
The Odyssey:
This year is a bit different then last year's split title. Last year, USC was already voted #1 in both the AP Poll and the ESPN/USA Poll at season's end and prior to the Rose Bowl, but was third is the BCS voting, thereby resulting in the BCS Championship Game being played between LSU and Oklahoma. By winning the Rose Bowl over Michigan, USC maintained it's #1 ranking in the AP Poll and thereby received the split championship with the BCS Champion LSU.
This year, Auburn is ranked #3 in both the AP Poll and the ESPN/USA Poll as well as the BCS voting. USC and Oklahoma are ranked #1 and #2 respectively in all three and above Auburn. In this case, there will be no consideration for Auburn to move ahead of the winner of the BCS Championship in the AP Poll even if the Tigers win. Coach Tuberville is well aware of this and tried his best to put on a good face when the BCS bowl pairings were announced, but it was obvious he understood. Unfortunately, Auburn's preseason ranking of #19, I believe, plus their early season schedule really hurt their chances to move into the top two spots in the BCS voting, as all year USC and Oklahoma were ranked #1 and #2. This is why some believe that poll rankings shouldn't begin until some point midway through the season. The Tigers may play very well in the Sugar Bowl, but their chances of gaining of split championship are nil.
This year is a bit different then last year's split title. Last year, USC was already voted #1 in both the AP Poll and the ESPN/USA Poll at season's end and prior to the Rose Bowl, but was third is the BCS voting, thereby resulting in the BCS Championship Game being played between LSU and Oklahoma. By winning the Rose Bowl over Michigan, USC maintained it's #1 ranking in the AP Poll and thereby received the split championship with the BCS Champion LSU.
This year, Auburn is ranked #3 in both the AP Poll and the ESPN/USA Poll as well as the BCS voting. USC and Oklahoma are ranked #1 and #2 respectively in all three and above Auburn. In this case, there will be no consideration for Auburn to move ahead of the winner of the BCS Championship in the AP Poll even if the Tigers win. Coach Tuberville is well aware of this and tried his best to put on a good face when the BCS bowl pairings were announced, but it was obvious he understood. Unfortunately, Auburn's preseason ranking of #19, I believe, plus their early season schedule really hurt their chances to move into the top two spots in the BCS voting, as all year USC and Oklahoma were ranked #1 and #2. This is why some believe that poll rankings shouldn't begin until some point midway through the season. The Tigers may play very well in the Sugar Bowl, but their chances of gaining of split championship are nil.
