Let the Debate Begin

UPDATE: Alright, I guess you can disregard everything below that I had wrote about Rutgers...they lost (or they are about to lose). While I feel a little bad for them, they should be proud of what they accomplished this year and they still have ALOT to play for over the last 2 games of the season.

Well, thanks to a late touchdown by Michigan, the national title debate will now turn into the "Does Michigan deserve another shot?" debate. First, let's examine why Michigan might deserve another shot at Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game:

• Lost to Ohio State by only 3, establishing themselves as worthy foes
• Lost to Ohio State on the road
• Only 1-loss on the season and that was to the #1 team in the country
• Played stronger schedule than any other 1-loss team but Florida

Those are some pretty good arguments. Let's look at why it shouldn't happen:

• Played Ohio State knowing they had to win to have a shot at the national title and lost
• Florida plays a stronger schedule and only has one loss
• Already played OSU and bowl rematches aren't usually very good
• Rutgers remains undefeated

Alright, so, some pretty strong arguments on each side there, I guess. I don't think Michigan should get the rematch by default. There's still a couple weeks left of football season for things to work out. Here's who I think deserves the shot by scenario:

• Rutgers - Rutgers beats Cincy and West Virginia, Rutgers deserves the shot as the only other major-BCS undefeated champion.
• Florida - Rutgers loses to WVU and Florida wins out, including the SEC Championship Game, the Gators get the shot due to strength of schedule.
• USC - Rutgers and Florida lose and USC beat Cal and Notre Dame, USC gets the shot.
• Arkansas or West Virginia - WVU beats Rutgers, USC loses to ND or Cal, Arkansas beats Florida in SEC Championship game -- I think both teams are pretty equal and would deserve consideration - very unlikely - well, not going to happen...Arkansas would get the nod.
• Michigan - Alright, we'll never get this far down but if WVU loses to USF and beat Rutgers and Arkansas/Florida struggle and USC loses to Notre Dame, I would give the nod to the Wolverines over the Irish.
• Notre Dame - Nope.

I don't think Michigan really deserves the rematch though...it was a good game...everyone knew what was on the line and Ohio State won the game. To me, that's the end of the story and someone else deserves a shot at OSU for a national title.