Oklahoma State does win a national title? Baffling BCS computer rankings, and more

CAMPUS CORNER — It’s no secret that we exist in a world with a broken college football system, though there are at least conversations being held about change.

We’re not there yet, however. In the meantime, we deal with ridiculousness like what I’m about to tell you.

As you know, a half-dozen computers are used to comprise a third of the BCS formula to provide the Nos. 1 and 2 teams.

I wanted to see who voted how in the final AP poll (not a part of the BCS formula anymore, as you know), and I stumbled across this.

One computer formula, the Anderson/Hester, has this as its top three: 1. LSU, 2. Oklahoma State, 3. Alabama. No, really.

You might notice there that Oklahoma, yes 10-3 Oklahoma that dropped two of its final four games, is fifth in its final rankings. And that’s not even the highest finish for OU. Or for OSU.

The Colley Matrix loves the state of Oklahoma. Like, a lot.

It has Oklahoma State No. 1, LSU No. 2, Alabama No. 3 and OU fourth. The results make me wonder if I just watched the same season that particular machine did. Silly math.

So, congrats Cowboys on your national title?

The computers that set up the game can’t even get it right after it’s over? Seriously? Nuke the system. Nuke it.

It’s time for the plus-one model. Make it work, Suits. LSU-Stanford and OSU-Bama, with the winners playing one another, would have been a more satisfactory denouement than … this. We’re hurtling toward the abyss of this off-season with an empty feeling.

Four AP voters made OSU their No. 1 team. Matt Markey of Toledo, Scott Wolf of Los Angeles, Seth Emerson of Athens, Ga. and Steve Conroy of Boston. So that’s a full representation, at least, of the country. I have seen enough to know Wolf is an attention hound. I’m pretty good friends with Seth, and I know he feels like there’s very little difference from 1-3 – sees flaws with each. Can’t speak for the other two.

I’ll say this. I have more of an issue with someone voting for LSU as the champ. Maybe Erik Gee of Albuquerque just avoided the game last night altogether, turned in his ballot Sunday night. Because the Tigers, in no way, resembled a team meriting national championship praise. Was it fair for them to have to play Bama again? No, probably not. But that effort, especially on offense, was sad.

C’mon, Bill Hancock and ESPN, get us to the four-team playoff. Now.

= Trav