From Gundy to Gandhi

How soon they forget.

In 2006, it looked like Ohio State and Michigan would meet a for second time in the Bowl Championship Series title game. The Wolverines had lost only one game, by three points, to the top-ranked and undefeated Buckeyes at Columbus.

So who made the biggest stink? That's right, the Southeastern Conference, led by Florida president Bernie Machen, whose team was No. 3 in the BCS standings and had just defeated Arkansas in the SEC title game.

"If they don't vote for us after tonight, we need a new system," he said.

The lobbying worked, as Florida got support from enough voters to inch past Michigan for a shot against the Buckeyes.

How soon SEC fans forget. But as one wise person put it last week, no league shapes arguments and sways opinions like the SEC. How else can one explain a fraudulent Arkansas rising to No. 3 in the BCS?

Regardless of what happens in this week's games, Louisiana State and Alabama are headed for a rematch in the Jan. 9 BCS title game. But shouldn't someone at least put up a stink?

That person is Mike Gundy, writes Chris Dufresne of the Los Angeles Times.

Gundy, whose team is No. 3 in the BCS, said he's not in the lobbying business, even if the Cowboys score an impressive victory against rival Oklahoma.

"We all signed up and said we're going to agree to it," Gundy said of the BCS.

Dufresne wonders what happened to Gundy, who just a few years ago gave his fiery, "I'm a man, I'm 40!" postgame speech.

"Suddenly, he has gone from Gundy to Gandhi," Dufresne writes.

The BCS is all about politics and Gundy needs to stand up to the system and stand up for his players. The sooner he figures it out, the better.

Comments

[T-Bone]

Alabama lost to LSU, Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State.

.....Sorry Mr. LA Times writer but that's why Alabama gets to play for the National Championship.

[Hans Gruber]

I agree with T-Bone. Also, the situations aren't the same when you look deeper. True, Michigan did lose to Ohio St by only 3 points, but Michigan scored a late TD to make it look close. Ohio State handled them all game and Michigan was barely staying in the game the whole way. The feeling was that Ohio St was the better team and would just beat them again.

However, in the Bama-LSU game, it went into OT and no TD's were scored. No one really dominated, but Bama actually had more chances to win that game, missing several field goals. Yet they lost. No clear winner in that game.

Personally, even though the consensus on that game was that it was a dud, I loved it. The defense was great and the strategy going back and forth was fun to watch. Every point and yard counted in that game. It was refreshing to see defense. As much as I like Mike Gundy as a person, a great coach to play for, his team doesn't play defense. They would get beaten by either LSU or Bama.

[Bo Darville]

I don't think LSU should have double jeopardy against Alabama. Let somebody else take a shot at them.