After watching the Bowl Championship Series national title game Monday, here are some thoughts on some of the things I think that I think.

I think if Auburn and Oregon are really the top college teams in the nation, all the hubbub over a college playoff system is overblown. While I am a proponent of a playoff system, I am really not that sure the outcome would have been much different. Sure, TCU can claim it could have beaten Auburn or Oregon, but I guess we will never really know — but would we have ever known if there was a playoff system?

Would’ve, should’ve, could’ve type of fans always surface following every season in every sport, but the fact is those words are the ramblings of fans attempting to console themselves after their teams failed to meet the fans’ objective — championships.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am probably as guilty of doing the same thing but eventually I have to settle in reality — my team was just not good enough regardless of the playoff format.

Like the saying goes, “if frogs had wings, it wouldn’t bump its rear when hoppin’.” Just ask the Horned Frogs. If they had wings, maybe they would be No. 1.

I think those who believe Southeastern Conference teams can dominate all other conferences, including a Hall of Fame class in its prime, are probably living in denial. While I am an SEC fan, I believe Oregon, a PAC-10 team, gave Auburn all they could handle — that is if you believe those are the two best teams in the country — and from watching all the bowl games, I believe they are. Sorry, Horned Frog fans.

What I watched Monday night were two very good football teams with dominant defenses battling for an entire four quarters. It is said “offense wins games, defenses win championships” and the championship game was no different—regardless of what conference or team you play for.

Fans definitely got their money’s worth but someone had to win and someone had to lose. Auburn came out on top and did exactly what championship teams do — fight through adversity and find a way to win.

Regardless of where you stand on a playoff system for college football, this year’s championship game was one to remember. The system worked this time, although I can’t say the same for previous years.

Again, I am a proponent for a playoff system in college football, but it’s not all or nothing for me. I am sure there is a way to devise a system that gives fans the type of game played Monday and a true national champion.

Computers are great at analyzing data, but the one thing a computer can’t do is use common sense. Common sense tells me Auburn is No. 1, but I am sure TCU fans will disagree. I really wouldn’t mind if the college football season lasted until there was only one undefeated team, but that isn’t practical.

The one burning question that should have been put to rest Monday is the question of the ability of other conferences to play on the same field with SEC teams. I think Oregon proved it could. And, I think the Ducks proved they deserved the chance to play for the national title.

It is routinely said football is a game of inches. And, as Maxwell Smart from the television series Get Smart used to say, Oregon “missed it by that much.” Pretty good for a non-SEC team, at least that is what I think.