Things to keep in mind...

While you're watching the National Championship Game on Monday, and listening to the cough hacks at Fox do the pre-game and play by play...

Aside: It should be illegal for a network to cover the "Championship Series" of a sport if they haven't covered that sport at a major, national level at any point during the regular season. When this happens, you end up with stupid comments and even dumber graphic placement.

Anywho- while you're watching and listening, please keep these things in mind (Major HT MotSaG):

• The SEC did not have a better non-conference schedule than the Big T1e1n, and didn't do statistically better in their games. Granted, even though they played the same number of 1-AA teams, the SEC didn't lose to one (who ended up winning their championship).
• Ohio State had a soft schedule, and someone else should get a shot. Well, Sagarin disagrees (fifth column); many of the programs who've been listed as replacements didn't do much better. Plus, there's no team that schedules out of conference like tOSU (home and aways with USC, Miami, VaTech, Cal, and Oklahoma starting next year, one per year).
  
• Neither LSU nor tOSU "backed into" the championship game- Nope, they were at the top of the polls longer than everyone else throughout the season.
• The "SEC Speed" myth will be in effect- LSU will fly by the Buckeyes. Hmmm... Not according to this data. Plus, as we've talked about before, this whole argument may be racist in nature.
  
• "Here we go again"- Yes, they didn't look good in the game that didn't happen; but this is now and the team is different.
• Ohio State is 0-8 against the SEC in bowl games. True, but they're also 2-0-1 against LSU historically.
  
• USC killed Illinois, who beat tOSU; so if the Buckeye's win, USC should be the national champion. I've got two thoughts on this. Thought 1: Stanford. Thought two... this may have to wait until next year.

I'm working on a longer post(s) about the BCS and the "National Championship", but wanted to get this information to you in enough time to let you have these talking points for your watch party.