For the first time in the history of the Bowl Championship Series, two teams from the same conference will play for the national championship.
While many believe Big 12 champion Oklahoma State deserved a shot at the title, SEC West runner-up Alabama will instead play in the championship game after previously losing to LSU 9-6 earlier this season.
Ohio coach Frank Solich has a vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll and used it to vote for the LSU vs. Alabama rematch.
"I didn't feel that Alabama should be penalized for playing LSU during the regular season," Solich said through Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Tom Symonds. "No one played LSU as close as they did."
Solich voted Oklahoma State No. 3, followed by Oregon and Stanford.
Although they are ranked sixth by Solich and in the poll, Boise State was left out of a BCS bowl. The 11-1 Broncos will instead play Arizona State in the MAACO Bowl on Dec. 22.
Solich rounded out his rankings with Mid-American Conference champion Northern Illinois at No. 25.
Toledo's Tim Beckman, Akron's Rob Ianello, Ball State's Pete Lembo, Buffalo's Jeff Quinn and Bowling Green's Dave Clawson also hold votes in the poll.
Only Beckman and Quinn did not vote for the LSU vs. Alabama rematch. Both voted for Oklahoma State at No. 2.
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