To celebrate completing the template for the upcoming 2012 season, here's a look back at 2010.
2010 was an interesting season. UTEP set a record by being the lowest bowl participant, beating out the low standard of 2008 Memphis. They were deservedly trounced in the New Mexico Bowl by BYU.
Auburn was a deserving champion, taking advantage of having the right player, Cam Newton, having a great season during a pretty poor year for the SEC. It's interesting, everyone talks about how Boise or some other mid-major would fail to compete in the SEC and their reputation of being a tougher schedule, but how would Auburn or Oregon have done with a more difficult schedule like the one Boise faced. It's a two way street.
The follies of the BCS, which despite the media's attention go well beyond the BCS Title Game, were illustrated this year. 1) The Big East AQ status, as Connecticut finished very low but got to the Fiesta Bowl because someone had to. 2) The use of BCS standings as conference tie-breakers, in which we look no further than my alma mater Michigan State who were not only screwed by losing later than either Wisconsin or Ohio State (an illogical determination if you think about it) but by the fielding of ineligible players by Ohio State.
It's pretty amazing how much has changed in 15 months since these ratings were finalized, between the conference realignment and the ousting of stalwart coaches.
