First things first. I know it’s not changing anytime soon, but I can at least make a case for it’s lameness. I think that anyone who tries to make the case that the BCS worked this season is either a complete fool or a liar. How can you? If Ohio State had won the game last night, then I would have been content that the best team in college football was being called the best team in college football. But they not only lost, they got embarrassed by a team that was there under a bit of controversy.
What last night’s game illustrates is that the BCS didn’t work. It has worked before. I’ll readily admit that. When USC blasted Oklahoma it worked — sort of. When Texas beat USC it worked. I’d still argue that a playoff system of some sort would have worked better in every instance, but at least those times it was something for which the case could be made. Last night, not at all.
There were a few other teams that should have had a shot at the title. Michigan, while I think they lost their shot by losing to OSU in their final game of the season, had a claim. USC, while they certainly lost their shot by losing twice, had a claim. LSU, even though they lost twice, had a claim. Even Boise State can say they deserved a shot at the title. While each of those teams arguably played their way out of the title game, with the exception of Boise, the blowout loss by the supposed runaway #1 team only says a playoff is necessary. Without it, we’ll always have the possibility of the team who’s not supposed to be there winning big and stirring up controversy. It won’t always happen, but it could. And isn’t crowning a champion supposed to remove all doubt?
Comments
The Anon Guy wrote:
Even with a playoff system you would still have controversy. Instead of “who are the top two?” it would be “who are the top eight?” or whatever. If memory serves, Boise State was 9th so they wouldn’t have made it to an eight-team playoff and they would have complained.
The real problem with playoffs is time. 1-AA can get away with it because the playoffs are their bowl games. Plus there is probably controversy there as to who gets in, but nobody hears about it because it’s 1-AA.
To do a playoff system you would need to start the games a lot earlier in the bowl season, and I doubt the Rose, Orange, et al would want a 12/16 date instead of the more lucrative New Years. And if they kept their dates, you wouldn’t have a championship game until 1/15 or so (plus Boise State wouldn’t have been invited).
I think the only way a playoff would work is if there is a complete retooling of the bowl system and that won’t be easy.
Jan 9, 06:56 PM
Eric wrote:
It would work because it all boils down to money. People are willing to pay the big bucks to see these games. Most of the schools that would be invited have a large enough alumni base to fill stadiums that hold 80-100,000 people for the two-four weeks a playoff system that would be necessary. Even for the average fan who couldn’t afford to go to every game, they would still sell tickets. I went to the Rose Bowl just because I had the opportunity. People go to the Super Bowl just because they have the opportunity. No matter what, there will always be controversy. There are currently 6 conferences in the BCS with automatic bids: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac 10, SEC. You give each conference one bid, period. You also force Notre Dame into a conference. That leaves two at large bids for the other conferences to fight over. If you don’t win your conference, you shouldn’t have a shot at the National Championship anyway. You don’t necesarily need to change the major bowl games, you just make them the quarters and the semis. Most schools are on break for the first two-three weeks of January anyway. It can be done, but the major conferences don’t want to do it because of the revenue sharing that results (IMO). Also, how many recruits will Boise take from one of the other schools now? Any threat to the establishment in any bueracracy will be met with resistance until the bueracracy can find a way to capitalize on it themselves. Sorry to take up your blog, Ryan.
Jan 10, 03:14 AM
Eric wrote:
Also sorry about the double post.
Jan 10, 03:15 AM
Ryan Jerz wrote:
No double post. Interesting.
I know a playoff is out until the big conferences let it. I’ve seen a plan for a 16 teamer. That seems enormous to me, plus the thought of four more games is too much. But 8 teams with some sort of conference championship requirement is a start. How about combining conferences into huge 16 team super conferences? You can have four of them with the serious major programs all involved – or six of them if you need it, and the same rules apply. Who knows. It is a dream, and I really thought that the OSU-Florida game illustrated the possibility of it going wrong. It hasn’t happened in a while, but it did last night. When the team that maybe shouldn’t be there wins, then you have a problem. Because other teams who maybe should have been there never got a shot.
Jan 10, 05:11 AM
Katie wrote:
While I agree that a playoff system would be a far better method for determining the champs I think in this situation it’s a little unfair to say that Florida deserved to be in Glendale less than say USC, Boise State or any other top BCS team.
Florida had the toughest schedule in the nation not to mention the fact that they play in one of the most grueling conferences in the country. I hate to be one Jerz, but Boise State’s dominance in the WAC is slightly less impressive to me than Florida’s one loss in the SEC. I think you would have an argument for USC deserving a place had they not lost that second game.
To me it seems Florida proved themselves worthy all season long. They played every game to the last snap and despite some close calls to lesser teams (University of South Carolina and sadly, UGA) at the end of the game the Gators held the advantage. As I recall, last year USC had a couple close games but I don’t remember you questioning their place in the national championship game.
There’s no doubt that the game on Monday was a disappointment; it certainly didn’t hold a candle to the suspense and excitement of last year’s natl. championship game. But I think Florida played an almost perfect football game. They did everything right, they stepped up (even their kicker who was like 3 for 14 prior to Monday night). OSU struggled, they were down a key player and I think they got caught on their heels but I don’t think it’s fair to take props away from the Gators. And I hate UF.
The BCS is lame indeed but perhaps Monday’s game just illustrated the dominance of the SEC and perhaps the truth hurts! Hehehe.
Jan 10, 02:01 PM
Ryan Jerz wrote:
For a political reporter you sure do know your football. I definitely think that those other teams played out of it. But if OSU had won, the thing would have worked perfectly. Michigan already had lost their shot at the title by losing to OSu. USC did lose that second game, and looked inept (shall we say, OSU-ish) offensively in the process. But you know me. I thought that they were the only team that could have run with the Buckeyes — until Monday. If OSU had won by the same score, there would be no argument from me. But they got waxed. All I’m saying is that the case could be made for those other teams, and we’ll never know. With a playoff, we always know. The team that got dissed in the field of 65 is never a team that cold win six straight against the best in the nation. Hell, if there was a playoff, Boise might never have won, simply because their playcalling showed they were playing for one game only. That was the beauty of their win. So, you’re right. Florida certainly earned their way in based on the current system. Actually, USC allowed Florida in and if it wasn’t for a spectacular play by some UCLA scrub lineman, Florida never would have had the shot. But my point is that the system needs a lot of work. The dismantling of Michigan by USC makes them about level with OSU as far as ability, right? Or better. So why not have a few more games to figure this all out?
Jan 10, 02:32 PM
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Ryan Jerz is an all-around good guy who shoots photos and video, builds websites, and works in athletics at the University of Nevada, Reno. He received a Masters Degree in 2007 from the University of Nevada, Reno's Reynolds School of Journalism.