[12/9/04]Sunday’s announcement of the BS formerly known as the BCS bowls came with little surprise, plenty of angst and a feigned sign of empathy from Texas coach Mack Brown.

Brown expressed his sorrow for the University of California and coach Jeff Tedford after the Golden Bears were supplanted by Texas is the final BS standings.

All Cal did this season was come within nine yards of an undefeated season. The Bears had first-and-goal against No. 1 Southern Cal. Four plays later, the Bears left with a six-point defeat. It was the only loss in a season filled with blowout wins.

Apparently, though, Cal’s sub-par performance in a win over Southern Miss in the season finale on Saturday was enough to sway voters many from Texas to move the Longhorns past Cal.

Watching Saturday’s game, it is apparent that Cal is a team loaded with talent. Running back J.J. Arrington may be the best around, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the best prospect this season, even though he is only a junior.

The Bears traveled more than 2,000 miles over two time zones to play a Southern Miss team notorious for giving heavy favorites fits. It did not play the best game of the season, but a win is a win. Texas struggled mightily in a two-point win over Arkansas and a four-point win over Kansas.

Still, that’s good enough for poll voters swayed by a coach in their home state and a computer system that belongs at the bottom of the Mississippi River.

Following the final win of the season against Texas A&M, Brown pleaded and prodded voters to change their votes and vault the Longhorns higher in the BS rankings than Cal.

It obviously worked. So many voters were more impressed with Texas’ off-week than Cal’s win in Hattiesburg, the Longhorns are Rose Bowl-bound.

Most impressive, though, was the fact that Cal had a chance to pile on a touchdown against USM. The Bears led 26-16 late in the fourth quarter and were deep in Golden Eagles’ territory. Another touchdown would have made a 10-point win look more impressive as a 17-point victory.

Tedford instructed Rodgers to take a knee and end the game. A classy move which cost the Bears more than $12 million in bowl money.

Remember what the great baseball man Leo Durocher said: “Nice guys finish last.”

Cal hasn’t finished last, it finished fourth. Fourth out of 117 teams is not good enough to play in one of the prestigious bowls in this crooked so-called championship system. Fourth is only good enough for a Holiday Bowl matchup with 7-4 Texas Tech.

In the long run, hopefully, Cal will have the last laugh. It may prove that the Bears’ unbelievable season will be the ultimate downfall of the BS.

We can only hope.

Sean P. Murphy is sports editor of The Vicksburg Post. E-mail him at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com.