I think national sentiment would be very much AGAINST a rematch for the championship... It'll be a feeling like: "Hey, you had your shot already to beat them and you couldn't do it. Why should you get a second chance rather than another team that could very well win it?"
I do agree with you by and large, but the big question here is if both USC and Notre Dame lose between now and then (which is a very real possibility), who would be a better option? If USC wins out, they are almost a no brainer for the second spot in Glendale, however with Cal and Notre Dame both left on their schedule, winning out is no sure bet.
Other than them, the cupboards are bare, and the options are limited, making me believe the Michigan- Ohio State loser WOULD be the best option.
I can't see either Florida or Arkansas winning out, and even if they do, I'd pick the Michigan- OSU loser over them. The Gators are as uninspiring of a team as I've seen, not scoring more than 28 points or beating an opponent by double figures since September. Granted, they play in the SEC, which is no joke, but even with their schedule, they should have beaten teams like Vanderbilt and Kentucky without having to so much as break up a sweat.
Rutgers is the feel good story, and being my father is an alumns and I grew up going to many of Scarlet Knight football games, noone wants to see them in the National Title Game more than me, but it IS Rutgers. Let's be honest here, the BCS Championship Game is just as much about possible matchups as it is pitting two teams with the best records against eachother. How else can you explain Oklahoma getting in a few years ago, after getting plowed in the Big 12 Championship game, over unbeatens Utah and Auburn? To the BCS, the prospects of USC's world class offense versus Oklahoma's defense; Leinart vs. White and Peterson versus Bush than they would have seen USC plow through Utah or Auburn. Rutgers is this year's Utah. Mark my words.
Boise State? Let's be real here.. Arizona State has a better chance of playing for the National Championship Game than Boise does.
In the end, you gotta believe, especially if the final result is close, that Michigan and Ohio State will be headed for a rematch and probably unless USC or Notre Dame wins out, likely should be!
As for the old arguement of a team losing late in the season killing their chances, it didn't seem to phase the BCS pollsters too much when Oklahoma and Nebraska both got mule kicked in the Big 12 Championship Game but still got in to the Championship Game. It'd only be right if the same was said for Michigan or Ohio State if the game remains as close as I think it's going to be.
