The first five years of the BCS, 1998—2002, went rather smoothly
considering what was at stake.  Teams that had a reasonable
argument for belonging in the national title game usually lost
their bowl games; thus cutting off further discussion.    Then
came 2003 and the BCS has not been the same since.  There was
the unbeatable team of the century, for that year at least,
Oklahoma, everyone's media darling, Southern California, and the
rags to riches contender, LSU.   On the morning of December 6,
2003, each of the three contenders had a game to play.  USC
(10-1) was to play their final regular season game at home
against a good 7-4 Oregon State team.  OU(12-0) was set to play
a dangerous 10-3 Kansas State team in the Big XII Championship
game, and LSU (10-1) had a rematch against a very good 10-2
Georgia team in Atlanta.  The championship game "everyone"
anticipated was between the the high powered offenses of
Southern California (48.5 ppg) and Oklahoma (49.6 ppg).  Both
teams were loaded with star power.  Okl