re: Mullen Leaving MSU question

Each poll still was able to award their own NC for the year, the only thing that changed prior to the implementation of the actual BCS National Championship game in 2006 was the system paired the #1 and #2 team in a bowl game, unlike prior years where #1 and #2 may not have matched up in a bowl game.

The possibility and reality that the NC for that season was not in the bowl game with #1 vs #2 did in fact occur and exist, 2003 being the shining example.

It wasn't until the implementation separating the National Championship game from a bowl or regular season game (As we saw occur in 1969) in 2006 with the BC NC game did we see consecutive consensus NC awarded each year, and has occurred since.