The best college football team?

By Adam Russell Sports Central Columnist

So who really is the best team in college football: USC or LSU? Neither. Using a complex formula of statistics, results and variables, the top team in NCAA Division 1-A football is ...

The California Golden Bears! That's right, the Boys from Berkeley are the best team in college football. This is not to be confused with being the national champion of college football. There is a difference; for example, the New York Yankees are considered the best team in major league baseball, but the Florida Marlins are the world champions.

Now, hold yer horses, all you Tiger and Trojan fans. I know you're all thinking I'm nuts and must be a Cal alum or something. Not true. I'm actually a Washington State grad and fan, and I still haven't forgiven the Bears for breaking Mike Pattinson's collarbone during homecoming back in 1993. But I digress ... back to the study.

First, though, I do have something to confess. I didn't really use a complex formula to come up with that, just a so-called "daisy chain." Essentially, it's a list of the opponents that beat the two national champions and a further list of teams that beat those opponents. It sort of works like the strength of schedule component in computer rankings -- once it's all broken down, California was the best team in 2003.

In the most primitive form of the daisy chain, Cal is determined to be the best team in college football based on the simple fact that they beat AP champion USC straight up. Remember that stunning 34-31 overtime win back in September? That's enough to win the moniker of best college football team. Simply put, "you beat the best, you become the best."

In a little more obscure way, Cal was also better than LSU. Here's where the chain is really put to work. Let's check out this side of the equation in reverse-order, looking at the Bears' victories.

The shortest route to best team status comes via Cal's win over Virginia Tech in the Insight Bowl. Among the teams the Hokies beat included Miami, a 31-7 thrashing on Nov. 1. The Hurricanes beat Florida two months earlier, 38-33, and the Gators were the only team to hang a loss on the BCS champs, a 19-7 decision in mid-October. Chalk one up for the Golden Bears.

A little longer chain reveals Cal has another connection to Florida, through Southern Mississippi. The Golden Bears beat the Golden Eagles 34-2 at the end of August, then Southern Miss turned around and beat Memphis two weeks later 23-6. The week before, Memphis had defeated Mississippi 44-34. The Rebels knocked off Florida 20-17 in early October; again, the Gators were the only negative mark on LSU's season. Give Cal another point.

Statistically speaking, California was also better than both USC and LSU in a couple of categories. The Bears ranked 32nd in passing offense with an average of 254.7 yard per game, well ahead of LSU's 41st-ranked passing average of 238.2. Also, Cal had a better offensive rushing average than USC, ranking 41st with 170.8 yards per game compared to the Trojans' 163.3-yard average and 47th rank. In total offense, Cal ranked one spot below LSU at 27th, averaging just one yard less per game.

And, if the old saying that "defense wins championships" holds true, Cal was much better in stopping the pass than was Southern California, which ranked 110th in the nation giving up 276.7 yards per game -- the Golden Bears were the 86th-best team in stopping the pass at just 239.8 yards per game.

As you can probably tell by now, I'm grasping at straws here and that is why, as they say, "they play the game on the field." Yes, Cal can claim the distinction as being the only team to beat USC this year, they did beat another bowl team in Southern Mississippi at the beginning of the season, and they pulled off an improbable upset in the Insight Bowl, but they're neither the Trojans nor the Tigers. My gut feeling is if Cal were to play USC again or face LSU, they wouldn't stand a chance.

However, in light of all the information presented here, I must anoint the Cal Golden Bears as my preseason number one for 2004. Sure, they need to work on a few things, like figuring out how to stop the pass and win more games, but they have the potential to be a great team. Of course, potential doesn't guarantee success. Just ask Alabama, Colorado, or Notre Dame the meaning of "potential."

The whole premise behind this little study is to demonstrate how ridiculous the polls and rating systems have become over the years. What the NCAA needs is balance: balanced conferences, balanced schedules, and a playoff system. But as long as the dunderheads who think computers and opinions are better than head-to-head competition, that balance will never be achieved.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.