Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Regardless of what Spencer Hall would have you believe, the BCS is not alright. Sure, we’ll likely get an exciting National Championship game between Florida/Alabama and Oklahoma, but it won’t be without controversy. Texas is obviously getting the shaft, having beaten the Sooners face-to-face on a neutral field, yet being leapfrogged by Oklahoma, which will play in the Big XII title game for a shot at making it to the BCS Championship.
But forget all this nonsense about what’s “fair” or “just” because hot damn, the BCS has made this regular season exciting! This from one of the system’s creator’s Roy Kramer:
"I'm tremendously pleased with how it's working," said Kramer, the former SEC commissioner who put the controversial structure in place as the first BCS coordinator in 1998. "One of the purposes was to make the regular season more interesting and exciting, and I think it's accomplished that to an enormous degree. I'm watching an NFL game [Sunday] and in the middle of the game, they're talking about the BCS. You never heard that in the past."
In the same way that making the season “interesting” doesn’t make its outcome fair, nor does people “talking about the BCS” make the current system a positive for college football. More than likely, those NFL commentators were discussing some sort of BCS controversy. But I guess any publicity is good publicity, a theory that will continue to apply to NCAA football for some time to come, according to Kramer:
"The BCS is the system we have, and I don't see a playoff on the horizon," Kramer said. "I don't see the support. I think we are as far as you'll get."
Is there a sport fan in the athletic universe that gets more screwed over than college football enthusiasts? The fact that nine-out-of-10 fans want a playoff system just isn’t enough support to get it done. But hey, all this complaining sure does make it “exciting,” no?
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
19 comments
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The best article I have ever read outlining the BCS/Polling situation.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122791946689365719.html
by brdavids on Dec 2, 2008 9:57 AM EST reply actions
If you like the BCS it’s a good article. It’s a nice rationalization and a very tradition minded piece. I’m sure John Saunders would LOVE it. However, any system which precludes the Boises and Utahs of the world from EVER competing for a championship for the rest of human history is beyond just being flawed. IT IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS, AND IT IS TOTALLY INDEFENSIBLE. PERIOD.
by J Bone A on Dec 2, 2008 11:43 AM EST reply actions
We are stuck with this crap until at least 2014 and the college presidents and AD’s will continuously remind us through their actions that their little world isn’t a democracy. What would destroy it is for some big time college to pull out of a BCS title game and hold their own title game and force the rest to react. Fat chance of that happening, though.
by WanderingMoses on Dec 2, 2008 12:14 PM EST reply actions
I understand the point of this argument is the bcs but if you are going to make an argument for texas shouldnt you at least say something about why they are more deserving than texas tech
by hogfan81 on Dec 2, 2008 1:24 PM EST reply actions
Texas Tech beat Texas fair and square and should go to the BCS before the Longhorns.
by Mocary on Dec 2, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply actions
Hey Mr. Mottram:
It’s "all right," not "alright."
I love it when paid writers use words I was taught didn’t exist in fifth grade. Why can’t I get a writing job?
This is an outrage. I don’t enjoy watching any of the top three teams from the Big 12 play, but Texas definitely deserves the shot ahead of OK. TTU lost by 40. You can’t lose by 40 and go to the NC. End of story. Take them out of the mix and TX should go hands-down.
by headhunter28 on Dec 2, 2008 1:42 PM EST reply actions
HOW CAN YOU NOT INCLUDE USC IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP TALK?
USC is by far the best defense in the land and last time I checked defense wins championships.
USC > tOSU
USC > Oklahoma
USC > Florida
USC > Alabama
USC > Texas
USC > Kentucky
USC > Georgia
USC > Vandy
USC > LSU
USC > Citidal
USC > North Texas
USC > Arkansas State
USC > Western Kentucky
USC > etc. etc,……
USC < Oregan State ;)
by SailorGabe on Dec 2, 2008 1:42 PM EST reply actions
I don’t know about Mottram, but I can’t make an argument for any team – including Texas. The system is so messed up that almost every so called "National Champion" has been delegitimized to a certain extent.
I mean, come on people! It’s the only sport in the world without a playoff. You have guys in grass skirts in the middle of the Burmese jungle knocking around a dried up Water Buffalo testicle with a bamboo stick who are vying for a playoff spot. But NOOOOOOOO!!!!! We have to preserve tradition.
Tradition is, and always will be, the most difficult thing to get rid of.
Sorry I ended with a prep. I was on a roll there for a minute with that Burmese jungle thing. Don’t ya think? ;)
by J Bone A on Dec 2, 2008 1:47 PM EST reply actions
Alright.
by cmottram on Dec 2, 2008 2:00 PM EST reply actions
headhunter will be alright.
by J Bone A on Dec 2, 2008 2:17 PM EST reply actions
SailerGabe,
USC lost to Oregon State. Nuf said.
I would say Utah and Boise has a better chance than USC after that loss.
by Philly25 on Dec 2, 2008 2:30 PM EST reply actions
A better chance of what? Finishing 4th with an undefeated record while a one loss team raises the crystal ball?
by J Bone A on Dec 2, 2008 3:13 PM EST reply actions
These remarks by Kramer & previous remarks by Swofford (BCS Chairman) have me outraged.Both say they don’t see support for a playoff,NO SUPPORT??? check out any poll about the BCS vs Playoff and you’ll find 85% or more support a playoff……the conversation about the BCS is overwhelmingly negative.These guys are unbelievable!!!
by goblueman on Dec 2, 2008 4:28 PM EST reply actions
People talk about bank robberies too and while it’s exciting to hear the details (unless you’re the person on the wrong side of the gun) it’s an aspect of society that we try to not let happen.Kramer, from his comments, is happy to stir the pot & anger regarding his BCS system. I guess, like that bank robber, his name will still come up in conversations for years to come.How exciting is that?
by Rschrim on Dec 2, 2008 4:44 PM EST reply actions
Blame Michael Crabtree…There are a million sexy excuses for being left out of your conference’s title game, but none as real as not covering the best receiver in the nation on the last play of the game.
by jft2020 on Dec 2, 2008 5:01 PM EST reply actions
I’m "tremendously pleased with how it’s (my sociol life) working…..I’m watching an NFL game…and their talking about" me.
-Plaxico Burress
by goblueman on Dec 2, 2008 5:02 PM EST reply actions
Blame Michael Crabtree. There are a million sexy excuses for being left out of your conference’s tile game, but none so much as not covering the best receiver in the country on the last play of the game.
by jft2020 on Dec 2, 2008 5:03 PM EST reply actions
Utah vs. Boise with Ball State watching, after Alabama loses to Fla. No other solution.
by unbiased on Dec 3, 2008 12:46 AM EST reply actions
This could all be solved. www.thebcsfix.com
by tobyger14 on Dec 3, 2008 6:53 PM EST reply actions
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