BCS officials fumble another chance

Mark Raygoza — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:40:23 GMT

A two loss team defeats an undefeated SEC team in the championship game (after the ploy-offs). Who's the REAL champ? A one loss team or a tow loss team?

Thanks,
Mark Raygoza

BCS officials fumble another chance

Jim McCarthy — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:48:03 GMT

What does the "National Championship" really mean except to the fans, whom never played the game, that want to brag about their team for another year...absolutely nothing. Does it really persuade blue chip athletes to go there? In my opinion, College Football has gone way too commercial and the perceived "Playoff system" would still prove absolutely nothing, except for a few more weeks of the advertising and marketing sharks trying to get your money. Stick to your favorite team and be proud of them, no matter how they do.

BCS officials fumble another chance

CBR Columbia Mo — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:50:09 GMT

Give'em Hell Mike!

I agree absolutly. It's enough to make you quit paying attention to collage ball. It is about the money and prestige and the PAC 10 and Big 10 just couldn't stand the thought of anyone else stealing the show. Could you imagine Georgia and Mizzou playing for the national title in the Rose Bowl? I'd love it!!!

The BCS has abosolutly nothing to with crowning a national champion and everything to do with money and TV.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Steve — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:13:58 GMT

The world was better off with no BCS as everyone looked forward to the bowl games which are now somewhat meaningless and the national champion was just as valid as now.

BCS officials fumble another chance

fred palma, clinton,nj — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:01:52 GMT

BCS officials fumble another chance

Steve D., Columbus, Ohio — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:12:25 GMT

Playoff Supporters,
Quit whining. I suppose all those championships Notre Dame, Michigan and Alabama have mean nothing. They aren't legit? Seems the author, like fans of USC and UGA last year, is looking for a do over. Everybody wants to cry about the BCS, but I don't hear the TV's being turned off. So maybe it isn't everybody afterall. I've heard it all before. We had injuries. We were playing better than anybody down the strecth and those 4 weeks we weren't playing well shouldn't be held against us. The BCS just isn't fair. Like fair has anything to do with life. Grow up playoff supporters. It's a game. In the above article the author accuses the Pac 10 and the Big Ten of being motivated by money in the case of the Rose Bowl. Really? You mean it's about money? I had no idea. So why after 100 plus years of crowning champions do we need a playoff? Wouldn't be because it would bring in more money would it? I've seen two arguments for a playoff. To crown a supposed true champion and the BCS isn't fair. I have seen more than a dozen reasons as to why there is no need for a playoff. Everything from logistics to it's profitable just the way it is. The playoff junkies don't hear that though. They just continue to cry, stomp their feet and demand a do over in the form of a playoff. Win your games and get a title shot. It's that simple.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Matt, Louisville, ky — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:13:02 GMT

I believe that the Plus-one system might work. However i think most people want something like basketball that has more like 16 to 20+ teams. My ideal system is a Plus one that only gets used when needed. Last year it was not needed! no team was deserving to be in a national championship game. however years when there are three or more undefeated teams that is when it should go into use.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Steve, Durham NC — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:14:28 GMT

The BCS conferences want the money from the current system. Which means the schools therein want the money from the current system. The NCAA is run by the schools as well. The BCS coalition 'controls' enough influence within the NCAA to prevent the NCAA from establishing a playoff.

I believe the invention of the BCS itself was an attempt to stop the NCAA from mandating and controlling a playoff. Thus the BCS schools continue to keep the bowl money.

Until the rest of the NCAA steps up and forces a playoff it won't happen.

PS... In my opinion, it isn't a sport if you have to use opinions to determine the winner. NCAA BCS football is on par with synchronized swimming, diving, gymnastics, figure skating, ballroom dancing and dog shows. I mean no insult to divers, gymnasts and the like, they are athletes with significant athletic ability and talent. I just can't stomach having to throw out the low and the high just to get a more 'fair' judgement.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Don Horner — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:10:39 GMT

All hail the mightly Dollar to whom the BCS owes it life. Here's a prime example Georgia got 17.4 million for theie Sugar bowl appearance. Yet Hawaii only got 4.2. I did not know Georgia was further away for New Orleans than HI?

Bosie State got the same treatment when they upset a BSC team when they won.

Is this was playing fair is? Where is the NCAA on all of this? Arn't they to over see things like this or are they to sit in the corner with their heads in their hands keeping quiet like their praying. How did the BCS trump the NCAA who should have the final say on this after all this is to be one of their offical championships.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Ron, Jenks, OK — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:23:35 GMT

The BCS is in an "unprecented state of health"? What color is the sky in their world? Almost every single year since the BCS was concocted, there has been a controversy about who legitimately deserves to be in the championship game. It isn't a true championship determined on the field. It is determined in the polls. If I were a player involved, I would want it to be determined where it should be. On the playing field.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Al, Washington, D.C. — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:52:17 GMT

Bowl Championship Series really stands for Beyond Common Sense. Lets face it, Tom Delany is more concerned about lining his pockets and his president's pockets with the green cash from Fox and the Rose Bowl. These commissioners want to argue that a playoff would cheapen the national championship. Haven't they already done so by scheduling a irrelevant twelth game (here's to you App. State defeating Michigan). Haven't they already cheapened the regualar season by having a conference championship game (I mean, having a sole winner in a conference is perfectably acceptable). For some reason, these commissions are no longer adept at helping their fans, but only helping their college preisdents. Its all about the money.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Ross — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:09:02 GMT

If they aren't going to have a playoff then bring back the old system. Steve D in Columbus the reason the BCS was created was to match #1 versus #2 at the end of the year and crown a national champion. Sure money is part of it but that isn't why the BCS was created. The problem the idiots that created the BCS didn't realize is that while most of the time we can all agree on who's #1 there doesn't seem to ever be any agreement on who's #2.

Honestly the current BCS format is awful. Only 2 games matter. Whatever bowl your school is in & the fictional title game. All the other games are pretty much meaningless. At least in the old system even though it wasn't a playoff you got a #1 vs #4 and #2 versus #7 and a #3 vs #6 and you had to watch all 3 games to find out who would win. At least in the old system if you were #3 on New Years Day you still had a chance. Now if you're not #1 or #2. Sorry come back next year. Even if you're undeafeated like Auburn a couple of years ago you still get the shaft.

The year that Auburn got the shaft they were the only team in the country to beat 3 top 10 teams and had the #1 scoring defense in the nation. Look it up. Wanna be national champions though. Sorry we already have a #1 and #2 and don't need you. How any football can support that system is beyond me.

In short here is what's wrong with the BCS and I won't even mention college football again. 1983 NC State, 1985 Villanova, 1988 Kansas, 1997 Arizona, 2007 New York Giants and all the other wild card teams that won the Super Bowl, 1997 & 2003 Florida Marlins, 2006 St. Louis Cardinals, 2004 Boston Red Sox. Get the picture. Just cause you're #1 or #2 doesn't mean squat. You got to prove it.

One other question though. If you have a 4 team playoff after the bowls how does that affect the Pac10/Big10 Rose bowl matchup? Also if you did have a 8 or 16 team playoff with in the bowls couldn't you match up the Big 10 & Pac 10 winners in the Rose Bowl? You might have to tweak the seedings a little but I'd settle for that to have a playoff.

Bottom line is though, the BCS is broke & when they had a chance to fix it they FAILED.

BCS officials fumble another chance

JT, St. Petersburg, FL — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:12:39 GMT

It sounds more like the Democrats in Congress are running the BCS. Nothing is getting done, but they sure like to talk about it a lot. They are just like Congress, they have all of the power but they blame others as being responsible (PAC 10 and BIG 10). Tell the BCS to have the courage to do what is right and stop blaming others for their lack of effort. They are acting like gutless politicians in Congress who won't take the blame for anything and don't get anything done as a result.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Al Linden — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:32:06 GMT

I am a football fanatic but is is time to stop watching this mess and BOYCOTT anything to do with college football.

BCS officials fumble another chance

James...Denver, CO — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:32:36 GMT

You all who dont want it are crazy? Can you imagine the hype that ANOTHER bowl game between the two games would get!!! it would be unbelievable

BCS officials fumble another chance

Andres, Washington, DC. — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:06:45 GMT

Dear Moron,

Q: How would you pick the 4 teams?

A: By taking a poll of people who don’t see all the games, adding in the calculations of some computers, and anoints four teams to play for the game’s big crystal football.

What's the diff?

BCS officials fumble another chance

John, Columbus, Ohio — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:06:10 GMT

The problem with not having a legit playoff system in Division 1-A is, first, the teams are compared mostly as apples to oranges, not apples to apples. So for a writer to say one team is better than another based upon them playing different competition is 100% opinion. Further more the errosion of professional integrity in today's society devalues that opinion.

To myself and many others, I watch collage football, but far more casually than I do Pro Football, because, and I'm sorry, but the title is not won on the field. To be the best you don't have to beat the best, but in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and even Collage football 1-AA and lower, if you want to clain the title you have to beat the best teams out there. So to be the title is currently an illegitamate title.

2. It keeps the "lesser Teams" from playing for the title, where as if you take the top 16 teams as is done in 1-AA and use computer rankings to get those top 16 based in part upon stregth of schedule, that gives other teams a shot.

I know some say, but the bowls, the tradition, but you have to change with the times. Sadly, the BCS doesn't understand that.

And let's be honest, it really is all about money.

BCS officials fumble another chance

CPT Damion Atchison, Fort Bragg, NC — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:36:53 GMT

Okay guys, here is the deal. No one is whining about the playoffs, there simply needs to be a playoff system in place period. Look, the only way a playoff system should not come into play is if the final two teams ranked #1 and #2 are undefeated. Or, we have only undefeated teams play for the championship. That is only fair. So, could we end up with a game like Hawaii vs. UConn for the National Championship, sure why not; especially, if we have 1-loss teams in the top 20, regardless of whom they are (USC, Florida or Ohio St., for example). The human aspect of polling needs to be taken out of it. Strength of schedule and computers is all a farce because if you really used strength of schedule as a qualification, then a SEC team would be in the National Championship every year. The reason being is that hands down they play the toughest competition which is themselves and they are the best conference in college football from top to bottom. And I played ball at an ACC school and I know that. So, let a playoff system decide. Look at it like this, would anyone have picked the Patriots and the Giants in the Super Bowl if it was left up to the polls, of course not. The polls would have had Dallas and New England and what a shame that would have been. Thanks for reading.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Greg, Gordonsville, VA — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:41:31 GMT

I don't see 1-AA football having the problems with logistics, grades, or any of the other weak excuses that the BCS, Pac-10, and Big 10 homers come up with.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Corrice, St Louis, MO orginally MS (SEC) — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:01:33 GMT

I disagree. I think the BCS made a good decision not to go to the playoffs. I think However it is the point system that needs to be revamped. I think each team should start off the season with 0 points.I personnelly think it would be just if every head coach and BCS voters vote for the ranking of the every team in the BCS. The teams will be ranked for the 1st two games by their average place in the ranking. Each team will get points added for a win vs the spots in the ranking. for example if Alabama is ranked 2 and USC is ranked number 25 if USC beats alabama they get 100 points. if Alabama beats USC they will only get 80 points being that teams ranked 1-5= 100pts, 5-10=95 10-15=90 , 15-20=85 20-25=80pts
etc until every school is ranked. This will put all the decision making by the BCS to be done at the Begining of the season and not in the middle or at the end where they want to fill the stadium with an ohio state or a USC team that has only won 2 games against top ranked teams. Pts will also be added for pt spread and margin of victory. Oh and the good thing is a lost will also subtract points from your team.

BCS officials fumble another chance

rob s, jonesboro, AR — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:54:11 GMT

Im not sure what the answeris. I like the plus one system keeping the bowl games intact. What I dont understand is why they say that the plus one system would lead to an 8 team or 16 team playoff eliminating the bowls. Well forgive me for a stupid but aren't they the ones who decide that? If they are in control of the size of playoff then it seems to me like they are just saying that to devert attention. Most people agree that the current system isn't always fair, especicially a few years ago with Auburn. This year no one knew who was the number one team but we need something else in place for the future

BCS officials fumble another chance

Ken, Boston, MA — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:53:43 GMT

I have stopped watching college football for 1-A because it is a complete joke when it comes to the end of the season especially when someone whom is 5-6 and goes to some no-name bowl in the beginning of December. If the BCS wants to have a true playoff system and make the most amount of money, more than they are now, plus have a true national champion, while at the same time satisfy everyone, they should come see me. I have the answer's!

BCS officials fumble another chance

Jeff,Columbus,Ohio — Fri, 02 May 2008 02:02:52 GMT

Way too many teams. No way to have play off system. If we just go with The 8 Big confrences then that leaves out the Southern Florida , App State , Hawaii , and other small schools of last year or even in the past years like Marshall of the 80's. These schools have just as much right to play as any in the Big Ten, Pack Ten, Big 12, Pack 12, SEC, or any other confrence I missed. See this is the problem TOO many schools the tournament would last all year. As far as the money goes any sport turns into cash market when people start to watch just look at hockey and soccer they are getting more and more comercial.

I say let them play who cares about #1 they are not pro's anyway.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Scott Tepper — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:39:05 GMT

Absolutely shocking. After a full season of 12 or 13 games I propose a playoff system similar to college basketball -- a 32 team elimination. And allow the players to skip classes for the year it takes to have the season and conduct the elimination series. College football, after all, is all about the sports and the bucks. Why should we allow an education to interfere? Those jerks in the Pac-10 and the Big 10+1 who don't want to see an eventual 19 game college season are just spoil sports.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Aaron, Davenport, IA — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:36:03 GMT

4 of the 10 Rose Bowls since the inception of the BCS (and 3 of the last 6) have had Big 12 teams so the argument about the Big 10 vs. Pac 10 matchup is getting a little stale.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Tom K — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:56:34 GMT

Maybe I'm just weird here, but I don't see the problem with incorporating bowl games as playoff games. The bottom tier bowls are the first rounders, with the Rose and Sugar bowls (for example) as the semi-finals. Then an National championship game that settles it once and for all.

Few argue about who should and shouldn't be in a bowl game...it's just the title. UGA, USC, Ohio State, LSU, Hawaii, any of the schools who's names where thrown around for National Championship consideration would have to earn the right to get there, plain and simple. You lose in the play-offs, then you go home. That simple!

NCAA I-A football is the ONLY place you don't have some tournament or meet to determine the National Champion, and money seems to be a big part of it. So, how about this:

Schools get money PER BOWL GAME in the playoff system mentioned above. Hence, there is a chance for MORE MONEY for a school that goes deep in the playoffs! I have no doubt that there's Pac-12 and Big Ten schools who would benefit from that every year.

Just a thought.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Rob, Key West FL — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:27:26 GMT

Mark wrote - "A two loss team defeats an undefeated SEC team in the championship game (after the ploy-offs). Who's the REAL champ? A one loss team or a tow loss team?"

So using this logic the Giants at 10-6 regular season are not the Superbowl Champs because the Patriots went 16-0 and lost the final game?

BCS officials fumble another chance

mark g — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:32:40 GMT

From the NCAA website:

In order for a NCAA Division I-A Football Championship to be established, the NCAA Division I membership must consider such a proposal through its normal legislative process. As of this date, legislation to establish a I-A championship has not been considered by the membership.

Ok, so what is this process and who can we get to intro it???????

BCS officials fumble another chance

Don Larson, Lincoln, Nebraska — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:04:47 GMT

Dick Cheney????
Didn't even waste the time to read the rest of the article after the first line.

BCS officials fumble another chance

joe.... atlanta — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:50:11 GMT

bcs is a crock.... how can a team that was ranked 4 drop down to 5 after 2 and 3 lose.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Glen Huntsberger, Santa Rosa,CA — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:49:31 GMT

BCS = Big Corporate Swindle

BCS officials fumble another chance

rick parks — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:46:27 GMT

If everyone has to be reminded. The Big 10 would not join the BCS because of the Rose Bowl. The BCS finally said well ok you can kind of keep your tradition if you join the BCS. The Big 10 joined the BCS - now after a few years the BCS is coming back and saying well maybe we didnt think this over?
I like the the bowl games the way they are - I really miss the tradition though. Weird - even if they change the format everyone will still argue that their team should in the final 4.

BCS officials fumble another chance

JIMI, DALLAS TX — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:38:07 GMT

Wait! What you are saying is that a team like the New York Giants haveing lost more games is not the NLF champ. Are you one of the morons on the BCS. THAT IS WHY IT IS CALLED A PLAYOFF!!!!!

BCS officials fumble another chance

bokser — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:23 GMT

If we're not arguing about the third fourth and fifth ranked team who got robbed out of their chance in the title we'll be arguing about the fifth sixth and seventh and how they deserved to be in the playoff.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Steve Sherman — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:50:34 GMT

YES, thank goodness becauase it protects the bowls and i love the bowls as they are. college football is the last great sport. college hoops have been ruined by conference tourneys, meaningless games, and lousy teams in the tournament. baseball is dilluted, they cant score 80 points in the nba and pro football is filled with self promoting nuts. LEAVE IT ALONE.

Fred, you are absolutely clueless. If you think that March Madness is not the best sporting event going right now, just crawl back in your hole and go to sleep. A playoff in college football would be better that March Madness by a longshot. The arguement that it would decrease the value of the regular season is garbage. $$ is the deciding factor here, they don't want to share the wealth.

BCS officials fumble another chance

Frank The Tank — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:18:38 GMT

I think it is great to see so much opposition, but the bottom line is that nothing is going to change. The board knows what needs to happen and even if they did a survey, they would still find a way to add more votes to the non-playoff system. We can speculate all we want, but nothing will change. Example, look at oil prices. If 50% of the population in the U.S. used electric cars to get them to work, would oil be such a demand? Instead, we put our lives at risk to help other countries and in return, we pay more for what we need. The only way the BCS is going to change is to have new members in the entire system just like Rodriguez did with Michigan. He fired all the coaching staff and is starting with a clean slate. It maybe a bit ruff to begin, but it will improve. No matter how the tables turn, the system will remain the same and we will contine to keep paying more and more for oil until someone finally has the balls to accept the reality. For those that want a playoff system or some sort of change, I am with you and for those who don't, well enjoy watching the same old boring, unchangeable system. At least the ones who want change know that instead of dropping a ton of money on a trip to a bowl championship game that is truly not number one against number to, we can just sit home and watch it on the big screen!!