SMQ: What if four teams got into a playoff during the BCS era?

2002

(1) Miami v. (4) USC

(2) Ohio State v. (3) Georgia

FIRST TEAM OUT: Iowa

In the early 2000s, the mantle of the national juggernaut had been seized from Florida State by their state rival Miami. The Hurricanes was the target for the rest of the country. While they lost the instant classic against Ohio State, they would have instead opened their postseason against a different powerhouse to open the 2002-2003 postseason.

Miami’s battle would have come against USC, which won a share of the Pac-10 title in 2002. Even though the Trojans lost head-to-head against co-champion Washington State, they would have been the conference representative in the national title picture.

Meanwhile, in the other semifinal that Ohio State team would have taken on SEC champion Georgia. The Bulldogs crushed Arkansas 30-3 in the conference championship game, completing a 12-1 regular season where the only loss came by a touchdown against rival Florida. The first team out in the actual BCS picture, Georgia would have been a worthwhile addition to a four-team playoff.

Sitting just on the outside would be Iowa, which lost to interconference state rival Iowa State but otherwise swept through the regular season. The Hawkeyes finished 11-1 in the regular season and earned a share of the Big Ten title, but they didn’t have to play Ohio State in the regular season. The Buckeyes would always get the benefit of the doubt in a playoff situation.