re: This year marks the 15th anniversary of the last split national title in CFB history

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The AP was so saddened by the fact that USC wasn't in the game that they awarded them a National Championship as a consolation prize.

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How was the AP saddened by USC's absence from the game when they had USC ranked #1 in their poll before the game ever took place? Should all of the AP voters have been like: "Well, #2 LSU just beat #3 Oklahoma so let's award them the national championship!"

AP #1 USC defeated AP #4 Michigan 28-14 in the Rose Bowl while AP #2 LSU defeated AP #3 Oklahoma 21-14 in the Sugar Bowl. Why should the voters in the Associated Press have automatically changed their vote from USC to LSU?