Jacie
7/28/2010, 04:23 PM
FWAA considering awarding 2004 national championship to Auburn
Sporting News staff reports
Wednesday, Jul. 28, 2010 - 11:09 a.m. ET
The already controversial 2004 college football season could have one final act. The Football Writers Association of America is considering stripping USC of the national championship and awarding the trophy to Auburn, according to Evan Woodberry of the Mobile Press-Register.
"This is unprecedented, but it's an unprecedented situation," FWAA executive director Steve Richardson told the Press-Register.
USC was recently forced to vacate 14 wins, among other penalties, that it earned during a period when Reggie Bush was deemed to be ineligible. One of those wins includes its victory over Oklahoma in the national title game. The Trojans were also banned from the postseason for two years and stripped of 30 scholarships.
Auburn, which completed an undefeated season that year by beating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, was the consensus No. 2 team in the final polls, moving ahead of Oklahoma. SN's Dave Curtis reported Monday that the BCS would vacate the Trojans' national championship if they lose their appeal of the NCAA's decision. The Associated Press has already stated it has not considered a re-vote.
Tommy Tubberville, the current Texas Tech coach who was in charge of Auburn at the time, says someone -- even if it isn't the Tigers -- should be awarded the national title in USC's stead.
"Why in the world would you not give it to somebody? Oklahoma, us, Utah? It doesn't make any sense," Tuberville said at the Big 12 media days. "Everybody played that year. So you give it to a team that wins it on the field - uh oh, they cheated. They broke rules. We're gonna take it away from 'em. Well, give it to somebody. Because there's other teams that did the right things that were there."
Sporting News staff reports
Wednesday, Jul. 28, 2010 - 11:09 a.m. ET
The already controversial 2004 college football season could have one final act. The Football Writers Association of America is considering stripping USC of the national championship and awarding the trophy to Auburn, according to Evan Woodberry of the Mobile Press-Register.
"This is unprecedented, but it's an unprecedented situation," FWAA executive director Steve Richardson told the Press-Register.
USC was recently forced to vacate 14 wins, among other penalties, that it earned during a period when Reggie Bush was deemed to be ineligible. One of those wins includes its victory over Oklahoma in the national title game. The Trojans were also banned from the postseason for two years and stripped of 30 scholarships.
Auburn, which completed an undefeated season that year by beating Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, was the consensus No. 2 team in the final polls, moving ahead of Oklahoma. SN's Dave Curtis reported Monday that the BCS would vacate the Trojans' national championship if they lose their appeal of the NCAA's decision. The Associated Press has already stated it has not considered a re-vote.
Tommy Tubberville, the current Texas Tech coach who was in charge of Auburn at the time, says someone -- even if it isn't the Tigers -- should be awarded the national title in USC's stead.
"Why in the world would you not give it to somebody? Oklahoma, us, Utah? It doesn't make any sense," Tuberville said at the Big 12 media days. "Everybody played that year. So you give it to a team that wins it on the field - uh oh, they cheated. They broke rules. We're gonna take it away from 'em. Well, give it to somebody. Because there's other teams that did the right things that were there."