Punish the Conferences

USC got stripped of a title, Ohio State's Jim Tressel quit, these are just the latest stories of minor corruption in big time college football.

What pisses me off is that the conferences don't get punished. The Pac-10 got $17 million for USC's appearance in the Orange Bowl that year. Why don't they have to surrender that money? If the National Title was ill-gotten, wasn't the bid to the title game?

You might ask me why I'd want to punish U-Washington for something that happened at USC. But why does some teammate of Reggie Bush get punished for what Bush did? For how many of Bush's teammates was that achievement the pinnacle of their life? Bush gets his NFL salary, his NFL endorsements, but now his former teammates have "vacated" their title. What the hell does Bush care about Wikipedia listing USC's title as vacated?

Punish the conferences for violations like this. Then the conferences will actually try to police their own schools. And the Pac-10 benefited from Bush's presence just as much as USC did. Why should the NCAA have to watch all 120 programs? How come we never hear about the BigTen uncovering some scandal within their own conference? Because they're not looking. Why would they look?

All the power in college football is held by the conferences. The conferences concocted the BCS, not the NCAA. The conferences get all the money and decide where it goes. They get rewarded for their teams' successes, so why not also hold them responsible for their violations?

-The Commodore

Auburn 22, Oregon 19

If you thought this game (which had an over/under of 75) would feature 41 total points, a game winning field goal, 2 goal line stops, and the same number of turnovers as touchdowns, you should consider quitting your day job and betting sports for a living. This game wasn't the shootout predicted by the experts, but it was just as exciting.

And the big difference was Auburn's defense. Their line was able to come up with some huge plays, like a safety, like a goal-line stand, like pressure that resulted in an interception, and so on.

I think Auburn's rigorous SEC schedule prepared them for such a tight contest. In that league, especially in their division, you have to be able to win tough games against good opponents. Repeatedly.

Oregon averaged a 30.9 point margin of victory this season. Auburn averaged an 18.2 margin, which was inflated by a few blowout wins. The Tigers played 5 games decided by 7 points or less. Oregon played in 1 such game. That might make Oregon sound better, but in hindsight, it makes Auburn seem more capable of winning close games. At the very least, they came in with more experience in them.

It's not that Oregon choked in this close game, just that Auburn didn't play with anxiety in that last drive.

This is the 5th straight BCS title for the SEC, and their 7th overall. Don't forget, Auburn went 13-0 in 2004 and were excluded from the BCS title game, so it's almost like #8 for the SEC.

It was a great end to another interesting and thrilling season. Auburn's schedule was full of instant classics, and they deserve their Championship. There were a few loose ends, with an undefeated TCU team floating around. "Power conferences" like the Big East and ACC downright sucked this season. And radical realignment of all conferences seems to be on the horizon.

Ultimately, I'm happy that the stupid, jersey changing team from Eugene has one set of apparel they'll probably never don again.

This guy must feel like an idiot.



Although he's probably felt like an idiot before.

-The Commodore

BCS Standings

1 Oklahoma
2 Oregon
3 Boise State
4 Auburn
5 TCU
6 LSU
7 Michigan State
8 Alabama
9 Utah
10 Ohio State
11 Missouri
12 Stanford
13 Wisconsin
14 Oklahoma State
15 Iowa
16 Nebraska
17 Florida State
18 Arizona
19 Texas
20 West Virginia
21 South Carolina
22 Kansas State
23 Arkansas
24 Mississippi State
25 Virginia Tech

Well figuring the Tide is going to run the rest of the season and Boise St will lose to Nevada and Oregon will choke late in the season. Expect an Alabama- Ohio State championship.

BCS: Bad Conspiracy Shenanigans

So Boise State is 14-0. They beat the Mountain West Champs TCU. They beat the Pac-10 Champs Oregon. So why aren't they going to be considered for a split National Title? Because that's exactly what the BCS wanted.

The BCS Bowls were arranged to make Bama/Texas the only game that mattered. Cincinatti was set-up to most likely get crushed by Florida. And instead of testing TCU or Boise State against a team like Florida, or a BCS Conference Champ like Georgia Tech, the BCS put them in the same cage, where they'd destroy each other. And of course, the Rose Bowl's BigTen/Pac-10 "tradition" prevented a Boise State vs. Ohio State matchup, or TCU vs. Oregon.

TCU now has no argument to be a National Champ. And then there's Boise State. All the pro-BCS good ole boys out there can dismiss their victory over TCU as just another win over a mid-major opponent.



And if you're Boise State, you can learn a lesson here. You've got to start scheduling big teams on the road if you want to make it to the next level. Few from the BCS conferences are going to hand it to you. You have to claw and fight for it.

Publicly challenge USC to play you in Los Angeles. Publicly challenge Texas for a game in Austin. Publicly challenge Oklahoma to a rematch in Norman. Don't play Miami of Ohio, or UC-Davis.

So I don't have much pity for Boise State. At least TCU is in a good conference, and they went all the way to Clemson, SC and Charlottesville, VA to play.

-The Commodore

House of Reps approves to create NCAA FB playoff system

"WASHINGTON -- A House subcommittee has approved legislation aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine a national champion.

The bill would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I football game as a national championship unless that title contest is the result of a playoff."

CBSSports.com wire reports.
STATS LLC.


Personally I love it; this is a large step toward a playoff system in college football. I don't know if I agree on congress having to step in and pass legislation for it but if congress is voting for the people they represent, then they're voting correctly. They're have been many arguments over whether the BCS system is fair or not and hopefully soon, that argument will be null and void.4 Teams? 6 Teams? 8 Teams? 12?? What do you think? There will be much more reporting on the BCS vs. Playoff system soon to come here on DC, stay tuned.

Why Is The Coaches Poll Taken Seriously?

Here's an example:
A few other notes about the final ballots:

– North Carolina coach Butch Davis voted his own team 24th. No other coach had the Tar Heels in the poll.

– Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly voted his own team No. 1 and Alabama No. 2. He had Florida at No. 7.

– LSU coach Les Miles voted Cincinnati No. 8.

– Louisiana-Monroe coach Charlie Weatherbie left No. 13 LSU off his ballot.

This seems retarded to me, that these blatantly biased coaches get a say on who should go where, and count for 1/3 of the BCS. I mean how could Brian Kelly put Cincy over Bama, and how could Les Miles put undefeated Cincy at 8th. That pisses me off, and the coaches should have absolutely no say on who gets ranked where. The BCS is already bad enough, that they don't need these bias' effecting it more.

Pissed At BCS Bowl Selection

What the fuck BCS. Of course I'm upset at the Fiesta Bowl. Why the fuck would you have Boise St vs TCU? This game proves nothing, and doesn't really gauge how good these teams actually are. I really wanted to see TCU play Florida in the Sugar Bowl and have Cincy play Boise in the Fiesta Bowl. Then these small major schools could actually put their money where their mouths are. I'm not a believer in Boise St. or TCU but if they happened to upset Florida or Cincy we would have to start taking them seriously. But to have them play each other 2 years in a row is excessive. Did you not see Utah destroy Bama in last years Sugar Bowl? This could happen this year but the BCS isn't letting their "golden teams" to possibly be upset. I think this is a giant conspiracy in order for the BCS to not have pressure for a playoff system.

BCS Rankings

1 Florida 11-0
2 Alabama 11-0
3 Texas 11-0
4 TCU 11-0
5 Cincinnati 10-0
6 Boise State 11-0
7 Georgia Tech 10-1
8 Oregon 9-2
9 Pittsburgh 9-1
10 Ohio State 10-2
11 Iowa 10-2
12 Oklahoma State 9-2
13 Penn State 10-2
14 Virginia Tech 8-3
15 LSU 8-3
16 Oregon State 8-3
17 Miami (FL) 8-3
18 Clemson 8-3
19 Brigham Young 9-2
20 USC 7-3
21 Utah 9-2
22 California 8-3
23 Houston 9-2
24 North Carolina 8-3
25 Mississippi 8-3
Can't wait for the SEC Championship.

BCS Rankings

1 Florida 10-0
2 Alabama 10-0
3 Texas 10-0
4 TCU 10-0
5 Cincinnati 10-0
6 Boise State 10-0
7 Georgia Tech 10-1
8 LSU 8-2
9 Pittsburgh 9-1
10 Ohio State 9-2
11 Oregon 8-2
12 Oklahoma State 8-2
13 Iowa 9-2
14 Penn State 9-2
15 Virginia Tech 7-3
16 Wisconsin 8-2
17 Stanford 7-3
18 USC 7-3
19 Oregon State 7-3
20 Miami (FL) 7-3
21 Utah 8-2
22 Brigham Young 8-2
23 Clemson 7-3
24 Houston 8-2
25 California 7-3

Roll Tide. Boo TCU and Boise State

Spikes Futher Suspenses Himself

" GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- With all the negative attention "weighing heavy on his heart," Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes asked to serve a full-game suspension for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of a Georgia running back.

Coach Urban Meyer obliged, saying Wednesday that it was in the top-ranked Gators' best interest that Spikes sit out Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.

"I really don't want to be a distraction to the team," Spikes said after practice. "I want the guys to prepare without any negative things going on, and I feel like if I would play, it would be a big thing going on. I'm just trying to stay out of the way and just motivate the guys." "

-CBSSports.com wire reports


This is stupid. As a Gator fan and a football fan this is stupid. Way to act soft Spikes...do something hard and then act like a soft wussy. Play the game, play the game tough and don't regret poking at someones eye. Poking eyes in pile-ups goes all the way back to the days of pee wee. Do what you have to do to win, take your half game suspension and move on...its not like you pulled an Albert Haynesworth and stomped his head out with your cleat.


The #1 Gators are facing off against a 2-7 Vanderbuilt team. Spikes will not be missed and Florida will win by 50. Count on it.

GO GATORS
-Beerman

BCS Rankings

1 Florida 8-0
2 Texas 8-0
3 Alabama 8-0
4 Iowa 9-0
5 Cincinnati 8-0
6 TCU 8-0
7 Boise State 8-0
8 Oregon 7-1
9 LSU 7-1
10 Georgia Tech 8-1
11 Penn State 8-1
12 USC 6-2
13 Pittsburgh 7-1
14 Utah 7-1
15 Houston 7-1
16 Ohio State 7-2
17 Miami (FL) 6-2
18 Arizona 5-2
19 Oklahoma State 6-2
20 California 6-2
21 Wisconsin 6-2
22 Notre Dame 6-2
23 Virginia Tech 5-3
24 Oklahoma 5-3
25 South Florida 6-2

Sure Bama got jumped on their bye week, but they should really play Florida to a best of 3 series to decide the National Championship.

BCS Rankings

1 Florida 6-0
2 Alabama 7-0
3 Texas 6-0
4 Boise State 6-0
5 Cincinnati 6-0
6 Iowa 7-0
7 USC 5-1
8 TCU 6-0
9 LSU 5-1
10 Miami (FL) 5-1
11 Oregon 5-1
12 Georgia Tech 6-1
13 Penn State 6-1
14 Virginia Tech 5-2
15 Oklahoma State 5-1
16 Brigham Young 6-1
17 Houston 5-1
18 Utah 5-1
19 Ohio State 5-2
20 Pittsburgh 6-1
21 Wisconsin 5-2
22 Arizona 4-2
23 West Virginia 5-1
24 South Carolina 5-2
25 Kansas 5-1

Bama passed Florida in the AP Poll, and most likely should pass them in the BCS Standings too.

College Football Rankings

1 Florida (55) 3-0 1488 1
2 Texas (2) 3-0 1428 2
3 Alabama (3) 3-0 1390 4
4 Mississippi 2-0 1213 5
5 Penn State 3-0 1212 5
6 California 3-0 1169 8
7 LSU 3-0 1120 9
8 Boise State 3-0 1038 10
9 Miami (FL) 2-0 920 20
10 Oklahoma 2-1 862 12
11 Virginia Tech 2-1 852 13
12 USC 2-1 825 3
13 Ohio State 2-1 810 11
14 Cincinnati 3-0 739 17
15 TCU 2-0 674 15
16 Oklahoma State 2-1 478 16
17 Houston 2-0 455 21
18 Florida State 2-1 363 NR
19 Brigham Young 2-1 349 7
20 Kansas 3-0 347 22
21 Georgia 2-1 318 23
22 North Carolina 3-0 271 24
23 Michigan 3-0 247 25
24 Washington 2-1 194 NR
25 Nebraska

BCS Bowls To Change?

"Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson on Friday concludes a two-day trip to Washington hoping to raise awareness of what he considers inadequacies in the Bowl Championship Series system. "We're simply here to educate, inform, make awareness about the BCS and we're trying to help our cause -- the Mountain West's cause and other conferences -- with the entire BCS system," Thompson said. "We are planning to submit within the next two weeks a proposal for changes in the BCS system. ... Our proposal will basically be for a more equitable system and we will have some suggested changes in the determination and a little more performance-based results and determination (ESPN)."

I 100% agree that there needs to be a change in the bowl system, but what the fuck does this have to do with the Senate? I didn't like when Congress got involved with baseball, and I don't like this. Listen, there are a lot more important things going on in the country, and I would have to say that changing the Bowl System has to be lower on the list. Hopefully one the the BCS will get its head out of its ass and change to a playoff system, but keep the government out of this. They can't even fix what they are supposed to.

Another Year, More BCS Futility

Utah completed their perfect season last night beating a talented Alabama team rather convincingly. The Utes finished the season 13-0, the only undefeated team to qualify for a BCS bowl. Going through a D1 schedule undefeated was the easy part, trying to explain to their family, friends and fans why they will likely finish the year 4th or 5th in the final polls is the hard part.

This Utah team beat everybody on their schedule including tough non conference wins at Michigan and home against Oregon State. The Mountain West finished with three teams inside the top 20 and Utah beat the other two, BYU and TCU. Their final win of the year came against a team ranked number 1 in the country for several weeks during the season. What else could they do?

Instead, this year's national champion will be a 1 loss team from the Big 12 or the SEC. Florida and Oklahoma are both worthy candidates but it is sad they are the only two. What makes Oklahoma more worthy than Texas (the only team to beat the Sooners) or what makes Florida more worthy than USC? For my money, no team in the country is playing better football than the Trojans right now.

This is all a round-about way of highlighting just how stupid the BCS system is. Even when the pundits claim they got it right, it proves to be horribly wrong. Why was 1-loss USC held out of the title game? Because they play in an inferior conference with a weak schedule. Never mind the fact that the Pac 10 is 5-0 in bowl games beating some pretty impressive teams along the way.

Why was it just assumed that the top two teams had to come from the Big 12 and the SEC? Because those two conferences were just so much better than everyone else top to bottom. Really? Then how come the Big 12 is being embarrassed this bowl season losing to teams like Ole Miss and Oregon? Why did they need overtime for a one-time Heisman candidate led Mizzou to beat lowly Northwestern? Why are they desperate for a dominating Texas win on Monday night just to save face?

With two big bowl games left, we have found out a lot this year's top teams and top conferences. Mostly we have found out that the national perceptions were horribly, horribly wrong. The Pac 10 was painfully underrated, the Big 12 painfully over so. The SEC was just like the ACC - as we expected, no better, no worse. And Utah? Well maybe this will be the catalyst towards small conference recognition on the big stage. But I doubt it.

Frustrated About The BCS

This is probably the most frustrating season in college football ever. A lot of teams are deserving of being the number 1 or number 2 team. However, the stupid BCS is probably going to pick Oklahoma and Florida into the championship game. Not that I don't think these two teams are deserving there are just a lot of teams who deserve a championship game bid as well.

First team that has a legit gripe:
Texas: They must be like what the fuck. They beat Oklahoma when they were the number 1 team in the country. Their only loss comes to Texas Tech(who won the game on a last second TD pass). They not only should have played Mizzou in the Big 12 Championship game, they should be in the championship game.

USC: Their argument should be, "How come our loss to Oregon State in September, is more important than Oklahoma's loss in October?" After their early loss to Oregon State, they did everything they can to get back into the championship. They haven't loss since September, so why aren't they in championship talk?

Alabama: Their argument is, "Even though we lost to Florida, they were ranked number 4 in the country. When they lost to Ole Miss they weren't even ranked, so shouldn't we only be knocked down to 2?" Even though I do believe Florida beat them and will skip them in the BCS ranking, their loss shouldn't affect them that much. Florida lost to an unranked Ole Miss, while Bama lost to the number 4 team.

Plot to Kill the BCS

If only it were a simple coup. But it's hard to revolt against a committee that the common fan isn't aware of. It's much easier to have a scape goat when it comes to matters such as the BCS.

Roy Kramer, who was essentially the father of the BCS back in 1995 when replaced the Bowl Coalition with the Bowl Alliance, enjoyed the trouble he caused with the new system and fled the scene a few years later as the scape goat for those who wanted a playoff system. He resigned from his spot back in 2002 and the controversy has only intensified since.

So now the question is who fields those complaints about the BCS that seem to be about as rampant as grievances regarding the economy? The simple answer would be John Swofford, the ACC commissioner who is serving as the BCS coordinator. Alas, the commissioners of the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West, Sun Belt, Pacific 10, Southeastern and Western Athletic conferences (and Notre Dame) need to answer to the Almighty Advertiser.

I'm aware this isn't the first or last blog post or article to rip the BCS. It's a relatively old issue but I want to revisit how much better a playoff format would be and how we've come to this point.

Even the media seems to be going the way of the BCS.

"Division I-A college football has the greatest regular season in all team sports, and a playoff system would ruin that distinction." — Jason Whitlock, Kansas City Star, Nov. 23, 2008

"The regular season is the main course, not some overpriced appetizer. There still might be a tidier way to settle the championship issue on the field, but don't let it come at the expense of the 12-game meat of the schedule. Want a playoff? It's taking place right now." — Jeff Shain, Miami Herald, Oct. 3, 2008

Both of these quotes appear on the BCS website, as if to create the impression their comments make the system legitimate. I don't see how this could be further from the truth. When was the last time a sport's signature draw was the regular season? If the regular season was what mattered, then we'd be looking at the 2001 Mariners and the 2007 Patriots a lot differently.

Imagine we had BCS-type systems in pro sports or men's college basketball. We don't have the 2007 Giants (as much as it pains me, it was a great story) or George Mason a few years ago. Who doesn't like the underdog? A playoff format gives us an opportunity to watch players like David Ortiz or K-Rod (2002 version, not the soon to be overpaid current one) emerge as post season heroes. Both teams came in as wild cards but rather than being placed in a game against the No. 3 seeds in their league, they actually faced the top teams in the AL in the opening round each time and proceeded to win a championship.

Imagine a Boise State-Alabama National Championship game. Not only would it give a great player like Ian Johnson some national exposure, it would give teams across the country hope. Going 12-0 is quite an accomplishment and the reward would be a bowl that isn't befitting of how your team played during the year.

The strategy, the potential of an upset and the emergence of budding stars are only a few of the reasons a playoff format makes so much more sense than the current format. Am I missing something else here? Well, besides the small money issue, of course. Ahhh yes, money. The root of all evil. I don't get how playoff games would make less money for these advertisers than the Bowl Games. Advertise the same way, call a playoff game the FreeHomeFurniture.com Bowl; I don't care, just have a system in place where a a low-seeded team has an opportunity to win a National Championship.

The Bowl Coalition to the Alliance in 1995 to include the mid-majors (BYU being a prime example) as well as the Big-10 and Pac-10. There was legal action involved when BYU brought the Bowl Coalition to court with claims of a monopoly of big conference teams that were invited to the Bowl Games. My idea is to use this case as legal precedent but to use mid-majors who haven't gained the type of exposure they think they deserve in the current format. Bring in the athletic directors of these schools and they can convey their distaste for the system and form a group to sue the BCS. It may not change things immediately but there needs to be a ground-breaking lawsuit to effect change in college football.

I propose a 16-team format that uses the AP Poll to determine which 16 get in. I consider this to be the most viable poll in terms of accuracy and impartiality. This may not be the perfect system, I don't claim it to be. But, again, this would be a start.

BCS Ranking

1. Alabama 12-0
2. Oklahoma 11-1
3. Texas 11-1
4. Florida 11-1
5. USC 10-1
6. Utah 12-0
7. Texas Tech 11-1
8. Penn State 11-1
9. Boise State 12-0
10. Ohio State 10-2
11. TCU 10-2
12. Ball State 12-0
13. Cincinnati 10-2
14. Oklahoma State 9-3
15. Georgia Tech 8-3
16. Georgia 9-3
17. Boston College 9-3
18. BYU 10-2
19. Oregon 9-3
20. Missouri 9-3
21. Michigan State 9-3
22. Northwestern 9-3
23. Pitt 8-3
24. Florida State 8-4
25. Virginia Tech 8-4

Oklahoma is over Texas, So unless they lose to Mizzou the rest of the Big 12 is fucked.

BCS Standings

1. Alabama 11-0
2. Texas 10-1
3. Oklahoma 10-1
4. Florida 10-1
5. USC 9-1
6. Utah 12-0
7. Texas Tech 10-1
8. Penn State 11-1
9. Boise State 11-0
10. Ohio State 10-2
11. Georgia 9-2
12. Oklahoma State 9-2
13. Missouri 9-2
14. TCU 10-2
15. Ball State 11-0
16. Cincinnati 9-2
17. Oregon State 8-3
18. BYU 10-2
19. Michigan State 9-3
20. Florida State 8-3
21. Boston College
22. Georgia Tech 8-3
23. Oregon 8-3
24. Northwestern 9-3
25. Pitt 7-3

Nice to see Boston College is being Boston College again.

Right on B

Screw the economy. His first job, and arguably the most important, is to bring playoffs to college football. If he does then I think of speak for everyone when I say, Obama 2012!!!!!