Former Auburn OC Al Borges on 2004 BCS: 'We should be the national champions'

In 2004, the USC Trojans went undefeated on their way to a national championship, only to have that title vacated due to infractions related to star running back Reggie Bush. However, with three other teams finishing the season undefeated in Auburn, Boise State and Utah, alongside No. 2 ranked Oklahoma losing the head-to-head title game, there is a case to be made by many to claim the prize.

In the end, the BCS and NCAA purely vacated the title, choosing not to assign it elsewhere. However, former Auburn offensive coordinator Al Borges told the Paul Finebaum Show he believes that the decision was “absurd” and that the Tigers rightly hold the title of national champions.

Al Borges makes case for national championship

During a lengthy discussion with Paul Finebaum on Wedneday, Al Borges plead his case to reinstate the 2004 national championship, but not to USC. Rather, he believes Auburn should jump ahead of USC and Oklahoma to claim the trophy, also dismissing Utah.

“Whether people want to admit it or not, the game the year before did have a little effect,” said Borges. “And we were a completely different team, that’s an unfair analogy, but I think that might have had a little bit to do with it. But SC kind of eliminated themselves with their problems, and that’s really the case that (Tommy Tuberville) makes is: SC’s not even a factor because they supposedly caught their hand in the cookie jar.

“So who’s the best team now? Honestly speaking, I don’t – with all due respect to Oklahoma – Oklahoma did not match up well with SC. I don’t believe Oklahoma could have beat us but I don’t believe SC could have beat us, it doesn’t matter. And Utah was the other one, and I don’t think they could’ve beat us either so why would you vacate a championship when you have a champion. We won every single game, we did not have any recruiting violations. We had no issues.

“Did Reggie Bush’s playing for USC, is that the difference in 55-19, I don’t know. Maybe it is, but I doubt it. So we should be the national champions. I see no rational reason why we shouldn’t be. But you know, my version is a little slanted. To leave the 2004 championship vacated when there should have been, when there is a champion, I think is absurd. But I don’t make that call.”