re: Teams who made the BCS title game without winning their conference/division

quote:

---

Now let's see a scenario this year:
- Washington wins out and undefeated, automatically in
- Michigan loses to Wisconsin in a rematch game in Big 10 CCG, Wisconsin is 11-2, Michigan 12-1
- Big 12 out of discussion
- Clemson loses to 2 loss VT in ACCCG, Clemson finishes 12-1, VT 11-2
- Alabama loses to LSU, LSU wins out; LSU SEC Champ at 10-2, Alabama is 11-1

Now pick your 3 playoff teams besides Washington.

---

Good question.



I think it's completely incorrect to say that the committee will always consider the conference title as some unquestionable trump card.
That said, I do think it certainly carries enough weight in their process to compensate for an extra loss.

The scenario you mention really tests the conference champion notion but I tend to think it would simply be a big enough factor to get LSU and Wisconsin in the playoffs because of their other strong wins but not Virginia Tech.


I think the 4 teams in your hypothetical would be:

Washington

Wisconsin

LSU

Alabama

(I think Michigan and Clemson would also be ranked over Virginia Tech --among many other two teams as well -- as 5th and 6th but Alabama likely ahead of them if they just lost to LSU on the road).