2004 SEC: Ire of the Tiger

It seemed that the BCS controversy just became stronger and stronger for four or five years running. From 1998 to 2001 the formula seemed to work. But in 2002 there were some questions about the ability of the program to produce a true champion. In 2003 those questions were given legitimacy with the sharing of the National title, and in 2004 controversy became synonymous with the BCS for all time. After the '04 season there were loud calls for a playoff system, calls that persist and have grown to this day.

In the SEC, the Auburn Tigers faced the Tennessee Volunteers in the Championship game in Atlanta. It was another battle of teams that met twice in a year, and it was especially significant for Auburn. They had already beaten the Vols in Knoxville, and were playing in what was essentially their third rivalry game in a row. They had played Georgia in a huge game on November 13 in Auburn and Alabama on November 20 in Tuscaloosa. They absolutely unloaded on the Bulldogs in their game, allowing only six points while scoring twenty-four of their own and the crowd was lit. Then in the Alabama game the Tigers increased their winning streak over the Tide to three in a row (a streak that would extend to six straight wins under Tommy Tuberville). Alabama went into halftime up by a 6-0 score. However, Auburn would respond on their first possession of the second half with a long pass from Jason Campbell to Devin Aromashadu and a touchdown run by Cadillac Williams. The next two possessions would also result in touchdowns as the Tigers advanced to the Championship game by a final score of 21-13. This loss would typify the Mike Shula era for the Alabama football program.

The BCS formula would rear its ugly head at the SEC's 2004 set of Tigers. Unfortunately for Auburn, they were not the only team to go undefeated that season and there were several candidates for who would play USC in the National Championship game. Because they had started the season on the lower end of the Top 25, the Tigers were ranked third in the polls and thus were not given the opportunity. Added to that was the fact that Auburn would not have a chance to play the other highly-ranked team that was shafted, Utah. USC won the Orange Bowl by a landslide against defending champs Oklahoma, leaving many to resume their speculation concerning the BCS formula. Auburn would finish the season ranked #2 in both the Coach's and AP Polls.