Wednesday, December 10, 2008

My musings on the BCS ...

If you're not a fan of college football, you aren't going to find this post very interesting. However, if you are a fan, read on ...

I'll be the first one to admit that I don't know the inner-workings of the BCS. I have an understanding of how it works, but I don't comprehend all the finer details (nor do I care to learn). However, in light of the recent announcement of who gets to play where, I have been musing on the BCS. That it needs some tweaking is true. Would a college play-off system do a better job? I have no idea ... but something needs to be done.

Here's why ... Texas Tech had a really good season, they've got a good team, but they were blown out by Oklahoma, and ended up being ranked #7 in the BCS polls. I don't think #7 is anything to snub your nose at ... but they totally got the shaft. It's not a very fair system. Of course, I think the Big 12 has some problems independent of the BCS (like the way they choose the team that gets to play for the Conference championship). Texas got screwed too, particularly since they beat Oklahoma. Now, I'm not partial to any team down there (Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma) - I love college football in general - but I do think some of them got hosed, and that's not really fair. Of course, life isn't fair, but I think a better system could be dreamed up.

And who are they kidding? I think the Texas/Ohio State game is going to be a joke! Personal opinion, though - I may be wrong. If Texas brings it (which I think they will), then they're going to blow out Ohio State (who isn't really that good this year - again, personal opinion). Poor Ohio State - they got beat the last 2 years in the championship game, and now they get to play Texas in the Tostitos Bowl. Losing 3 BCS bowl games in a row can't look good ... then again, maybe that will provide them the necessary motivation ...

And 'Bama/Utah? Hmmm ... the Utes are really going to have to bring it! 'Bama is good. I think the Ute defense (and the offense) is going to have to step it up, and if they do, it could be a mighty good game. The Utes are one of the few undefeated teams left ... but since they play in the Mountain West conference, they get to play in the Sugar Bowl instead of the national championship. Fair? Not really. Same thing with Boise State ... they're undefated, but play in the WAC, so they get the Poinsettia Bowl ... though I will say, Boise State and TCU is at least intriguing.

If I was in charge and I got to pick, out of the top 10 teams, I would pick: 'Bama/Texas, Ohio State/Utah, USC/Texas Tech, and Penn State/Boise State. USC/Penn State doesn't seem that exciting to me, and I would love to see USC's defense take on Texas Tech . I think Oklahoma and Florida is a good match up - I really think they are the best 2 teams out there (sorry Ute fans).

Somebody tell the commissioner of the BCS that I should be in charge ... I've got great ideas. And a statistics degree that I would love to put to use in the college football arena!

3 comments:

Vee said...

I love it. I can totally see you up there directing teams where they should go for their bowl games, it's genius! I'm behind it 100%.

Andrea said...

Good logic there Sarah. I was following the whole way until the championship opinion. I, unlike you say that undefeated is undefeated. The title game should be Boise State and Utah. If the BCS didn't have its own "distinguished" confrences then Utah and Boise State wouldn't get screwed for having perfect seasons. How do they determine which football team is better? Its all subjective! Sure Utah could go downt o New Orleans and get stuffed by Alabama, but the point here is subjectivitely replaces the true meaning of a loss. Oklahoma LOST. And I know you don't want to hear it but so did Florida. Good teams win games. Even if they play in a so-called crappy conference.

I know I'm rambling so I'll just get to the point. In order to make it so all 150 Division I teams have a shot at the national title you set up a 16 game playoff system that either a)takes the top 16 teams in the country or b) takes the top team from each conference with a few outliers. That way in years like this, Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma would all be satisfied.

Will anything of this nature happen? No because the BCS gives the BCS conferences money so they can just keep getting better and better. The money is the problem.

Okay I'm done now. Whew! Sorry about that- but you do make a fantastic point!

Melvin and Carly said...

Agreed. The BCS definitely could use an overhaul. You go tell them what's what!