It's interesting how things work out—or may not work out, if you're BYU, Utah, Boise State, Ball State, or TCU this year.
The BCS rules (such as they are) state that any non-BCS team in the top 12 of the BCS standings gets to take part in the glut of cash the BCS bowls control. Furthermore, any team who is in the top 16 in the BCS standings, and is also ranked ahead of any BCS league champion, gains automatic inclusion. The catch is there can only be one.
In years past, this has only happened three times, when Utah, Boise State, and Hawaii were all included as a result of undefeated seasons and top 12 rankings.
Five's a crowd
This year, however, things are different. Call it parity, call it good luck, or call it of the football gods, but this year there may be five teams from non-BCS conferences who alone would have made it to a big-time bowl in previous years, but will not this go-round.
- B/R Ticket Guide
As we sit today, all five of the aforementioned teams could finish in the top 16 in the standings and be ranked higher than any ACC team or Big East team. That's very unlikely to change.
And if Oregon State wins out to take the Pac-10 crown, it's likely those five teams would also be ranked higher than a Pac-10 champion Beavers team.
Despite meeting the ridiculous criteria, only one of those teams will find itself in Scottsdale, New Orleans, or Miami come the new year.
The passing over of Boise State?
There's an even worse scenario which, if played out, will illustrate further the sheer greed of the BCS and its willingness to put money over the integrity of the game.
If the University of Utah beats BYU, it's in. If Boise State and Ohio State also then win out, the BCS will have to choose between a Boise State team that is ranked higher in the standings and an Ohio State team that's been pitiful against good teams.
I hate to break it to you, Boise: They loved you and used you in 2007, but they don't give a damn about you if the Buckeyes are available.
Here's to chaos, controversy, and an end to this horrible, horrible hijacking of a beautiful sport.
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about 1 month ago
I don't blame you Utah fans for not liking the system, but Hawaii didn't do you any favors by getting beaten like a rented mule in their BCS game last year. I don't see why we should ruin the regular season with a 32 team playoff, just to give the smaller teams the false hope they can run the table one year and win it all, even if it might actually happen once a century.
The problem is not the BCS, the problem is you are playing in a 119 team league. Everybody can't get a shot at the championship.
about 1 month ago
Interesting thought, but that's really not the issue (BTW, I'm a BYU fan, not Utah).
The issue is that inferior quality conferences (this year, at least) are getting their champs in, and we are left out. And some conferences don't have championship games, while others do.
I would fully embrace an 8 team playoff that takes the top 8 regardless, where the dollars are distributed 100% equally among the D1A teams/conferences. I'm even fine with making the requirements to be 1A harder to eliminate the Sunbelt and some other lesser teams.
But I really think the only way to avoid the Conference Champion issues is to go to 12 or 16 teams.
But the current problem is you have a system run by a cartel (literally), who include inferior teams who are part of the cartel at the expense of better teams.
And don't make me remind everyone that non-BCS teams are still .666 in BCS games.
about 1 month ago
Ball State should not even be included in discussion period. They have only played 2 teams with a winning record and they are 11-0. What does that say about being overrated. I think a lot. If Ball State gets invited to a BCS game, I officially quit life! ha. maybe not, but it would be a thought.
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