BCS Era Ends with National Championship Game for the Ages

The BCS era has ended and it could not have ended any better than Monday night’s incredible national championship game won by Florida State over Auburn 34-31.

In what many called an imperfect system, the BCS gave college football fans the perfect ending. A fake punt that changed the game, a kickoff return of 100 yards, a late comeback from Auburn, and a last-minute, game winning career defining drive by a redshirt-freshman Heisman Trophy winner.

Without a doubt, the last BCS championship game was the best since the 2005 battle that saw Texas defeat USC. This single game will define the 2013 NCAA football season, and be talked about for generations.

Auburn was only 79 seconds away from winning their second national championship in four years and extending the winning streak for the SEC to eight straight years.

However, Jameis Winston, the Heisman Trophy winner was about to put the finishing touches on one of the best seasons of any freshman quarterback in college football.

Winston had not played liked he did all season until he led his Seminoles teammates 80 yards on the winning drive. Winston and his teammates, as there are always 11 on the field at the same time, came up big and delivered when they had to the most.

The points total ended UNDER, but those bettors were sweating it out with five scores in just the fourth quarter.

Many might have forgotten what proved to be the defining moment of the game since it happened late in the first half. FSU called a fake punt trailing 21-3. The Seminoles converted and later scored on the same drive, which changed the momentum of the game going into half time.

Tre Mason rushed for 195 yards for Auburn, but apologized to all of the Auburn fans for not bringing home the crystal ball. Nick Marshall showed he would be a forced to reckon with next season in the SEC with his great rushing skills and his ever improving passing game.

This game will go down as one of the top three in the 16-year history of the BCS. Auburn however cannot hang their heads.

Looking at the stat sheet reveals Auburn finished ahead in first downs, total plays, total yards, third down conversions, time of possession, sacks and rushing yards. However, with 0:00 on the clock at the end of the fourth quarter, they trailed in the most important stat of all – points.

On Tuesday, a new era started as next season the national championship will go to a four-team format with two games deciding the final participants for the national championship game called the College Football Playoff, which should give those who disliked the BCS their time in the sun.