You Don't Need a Trophy to Call Yourself a Champion

Like all governing bodies in every level of competitive athletics, the Big 12 conference has protocols for determining its champion in football every year. They're pretty clear, and there are no asterisks or co-champs or ties.

By all accounts, Oklahoma trounced Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in December to win the league crown. All accounts save one, I guess.

Tim Griffin, the Big 12 blogger for ESPN.com who also writes for the San Antonio Express-News, shares that Texas has claimed an asterisk-emblazoned title of its own for 2008. (Here's a picture from inside UT's training facility if you need proof.)

OK, Mack Brown and Co. think they got jobbed out of a conference title. Homerism understands that, and it's not like the Longhorns don't have somewhat of a point. So, what's the point of the asterisk? If that's the statement you're trying to make, what's the point in going half way?