Why The BCS Just Flat Out Stinks

The Bowl Championship Series is college football’s way of sorting out elite teams to play each other at the end of the season, including a national championship game. The BCS was instituted in 1999 and has caused controversy every year since (unknown 1). The BCS was initially formed to match up elite teams in bowl games, and supposedly have a national championship game to decide the national champion (unknown 1). The problem: how do you decipher the number two team in the country from the number three, four, and five teams in the country especially when they have the same records? How can anyone tell what win is better than another win another team had? How is one team’s 12-0 better than the next? Humans can not even really tell so how can we expect a computer to. So is a playoff system the best bet for college football or would it mess up traditions and turn out to do more harm than good?
The BCS consists of the Rose, Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta Bowls and rewards all of the major conference champions, but what makes a “major” conference (unknown 1). The BCS the way it is leaves to many teams without a realistic chance to play for a national title. A team like Utah in 2009 or Boise State 2007 who beat teams like Alabama and Oklahoma where undefeated but were not considered national champions. When Boise beat Oklahoma they were the only team that was unbeaten and were not national champs. However, then we see a team like Hawaii go unbeaten in the regular season but they got manhandled by Georgia. So how can one tell when a small conference unbeaten is a legit national championship game participant? Alabama had one loss all year and that was to eventual national champ Florida in the SEC Championship. Utah then beat Alabama in the Fiesta Bowl so why shouldn’t Utah be able to have a shot at a national title? Oklahoma played Florida in the title game as Big 12 champions but had one loss and Utah had none, so what makes Oklahoma better than Utah? It seems like teams get in based on their name alone, Utah is not known as a “football” school with a lot of tradition as Oklahoma is. Also the BCS knows that they will draw in more money if Oklahoma plays for a national title than if Utah did. Boise State was the only unbeaten in the 2006-2007 season but did not even sniff the national title game. It seems like that the “little” schools get unfair treatment when it comes to playing for a national title. What if a Utah or Boise State truly is the best team in the country? With the current system we will never know if they are or where because a “little” school will never get a chance to play in a national championship game.
Another problem that comes up with the BCS is when three or more “big” schools go unbeaten or have the same record. The 2004 season is a perfect example, Auburn, Oklahoma, and USC where undefeated but only two teams get to play for a national championship. USC was a “clear” number one but why? Oklahoma was 12-0 as was Auburn, so what makes Oklahoma’s 12-0 better than Auburn’s? First thing people look at is strength of schedule, but if you look at who Auburn beat that year they beat three teams that were ranked in the top ten one of which being on the road while Oklahoma didn’t have any. USC beat Notre Dame on the road and Oregon but where those teams as good as LSU, Georgia, and Tennessee? We do not know that either and if you want to go by the “rankings” the three where ranked higher than any team that Oklahoma or USC beat. So how does the BCS decide that USC and Oklahoma play for the championship instead of Auburn and Oklahoma or Auburn and USC? Wasn’t the SEC considered the best conference in football, then how does the “computer” not put in a undefeated SEC champion in the national championship game? Doesn’t seem to make sense, especially since the Sooners got annihilated in the championship game against USC. There has been only one year in recent memory that the BCS has seemed to have gotten it right, and that was when Texas and USC played for the title in 2005. That year those two teams were clearly the two best in college football, but every other year it seems like there is another team out there that has a legit argument to play in the national championship game.
So what is the solution? A playoff sounds pretty good to me, and several other college football fans, coaches, and players. I mean every other division in college football has a playoff system, as does the NFL, and High Schools. So what is major college football’s problem? Anti playoff people argue that it damages the bowl games, and that it decreases the importance of the regular season, but doesn’t everyone want to know who the best team is? A simple solution is to have bowl games with in the playoffs and teams who do not qualify for the playoff but are what is now considered “bowl eligible” can play in smaller bowl games. That way you have a clear champion and teams that are bowl eligible can play in a bowl game. Then anti playoff people say that it will hurt college football financially. Have they seen the revenue that the NCAA basketball tournament has? Football is more popular than basketball and if the NCAA basketball tournament makes that much money just imagine what a football tournament would bring in.
College football is too good of a sport not to have a clear cut champion and to be a guessing game in December. Let the kids play for a spot in the national title game instead of having to see if the computer gives them a shot in the title game. Can we finally get a playoff system that gives smaller schools just as good of an opportunity to be national champions as Oklahoma or USC, it is only fair. If I were a player at a school such as a TCU, Boise State, and Utah I would feel that I was not be given as equal as of an opportunity to play for a national championship as a fellow student at Oklahoma no matter how good my team’s record is. A contrary argument is that a playoff is not necessary, and that it is clear enough to determine the top two teams by season results and conference championship games (Hooper). Wait a minute, so having six teams with no losses is easy to determine two of the six teams twelve wins is better than the other four. Exactly how does that work, to me it seems like that philosophy is about as strong as the BCS system itself. College football is rich with rivalries, upsets, passion, and pride. Adding a playoff would only make college football bigger than it already is, not to mention the fact that if you have a bad game in the regular season you do not feel that you no longer have a chance at a national championship.
I have looked at past BCS championship games trying to find when there was a year when two teams were clearly the two best in the country, the only ones that seemed not to have controversy was when Texas played USC in a game that was a classic, and Virginia Tech against Florida State. The key thing during both of those years was that they were the only unbeatens. Every other year there has been a third or fourth team with the same record than the second ranked team who played for a title. So for those that say the BCS works as it is must think that being right two out of ten times is a good percentage. Two and ten, coaches lose their jobs when they have a record like that after a couple of years, but the BCS continues operating on its current system almost never making everyone feel content. I will finish up with this, if a coach loses his job for having a dismal record after a season or two can the BCS be fired after being unquestionably right two times in the last decade? Give college football what it needs and deserves, a playoff. That way it is fair for everyone and everyone who goes unbeaten has a chance to prove to the country that they have the right to be called national champions, let the kids go play!
-Kyle

Week 12 CFB Picks

Okay I am 18-12 on the year after a 1-4 week the last time I made picks. The BCS is in full swing, with conference races, and ranked games.

#11 Oregon @ Arizona
The Pac 10 race is really heating up. Stanford is making their case, but the Ducks still have to lose to open up the door. They face a tough Arizona team on the road, with a bulls-eye lining up on their helmets. But the Ducks have enough firepower to blow anyone out given the chance. My prediction: Oregon by 7.

#14 Penn St. @ Michigan State
Penn State could be rolling since Sparty has struggled verse good teams. If Darrel Clark takes care of the ball and the defense can stop the run, the Nittany Lions should roll all over Michigan State. My Prediction: Penn St. by 10.

Kansas State @ Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are trying to salvage a season, and earn a Top 25 ranking. K State is not Oklahoma though, and there is not a "good" team in the Big 12 north this year. My prediction: Nebraska by 5.

Connecticut @ Notre Dame
In a battle of non ranked teams, Connecticut is still fueled by emotion, and Notre Dame has a coaching controversy that could make the Oakland Raiders jealous. The Irish will be distracted, and teams just are not scared to go into South Bend and pull of upsets. My Prediction: U Conn by 3.

Western Carolina @ Appalachian State
It is senior night in Boone. Which means Amanti will be even more fired up, and with alot of Upper classmen on the roster this game is special for more than 1 reason. But conference is already clinched and the playoffs are just around the corner. But what will keep appalachian from looking ahead.... The Old Mountain Jug. My prediction: Mountaineers by 10.

College Football Week 12 Picks

After yet another 2-3 week I have inched to close to that .500 mark for the year at 31-25. Big time rivalries take place this week before a slew of em next week. So as we come down the stretch here is a look at what to expect in week 12.

Ohio State at Michigan- The fans have a great fan pick this week picking one of the best rivalries in college football. The maize and blue have been waiting a long time for a win over the Buckeyes and look to get it in the Big House this week. One problem....Ohio State doesn't exactly plan on ending that streak of 5 anytime soon. Coming off of a impressive win against the Hawkeyes this is anything but a "let down game". The Wolverines have been struggling and need a win to have a shot at a bowl game. For Michigan the good news is there at home, the bad.....Ohio State is flat out on fire and will look forward to a party in Ann Arbor after a 5th straight. I expect it to be close but in the end the Buckeyes have to much horse power.

Ohio State 28 Michigan 24

Kansas at Texas- There isn't much standing in Hook'ems path to a national title game apperence. Kansas has shown periods of explosive offense this year and could cause issues in the Horns secondary. However, Texas has a pretty potent offense of their own led by heisman candidate Colt McCoy and Shipley. Kansas will stick around in the first half because of their ability to score points and a lot of em but Texas' defense will make a big stop followed by a big play taking any wind out of rock chalk jayhawk's sails.

Kansas 31 Texas 45

California at Stanford- So what exactly has gotten into the Stanford Cardinal lately as they have knocked off back to back top 10 teams. California was supposed to be in a position to win the Pac 10 but have been nothing short of a major disapointment. Stanford is begening christmas early and will feast on what has been a weak Cal defense. Stanford has a chance to play for the roses if a few things happen and they won't let that dream end on their terms at home.

California 24 Stanford 38

LSU at Old Miss- So this game was supposed to decide 2nd and 3rd in the SEC West but......well Olde Miss hasn't exactly been what they were supposed to be. They have played well at times but have been all over the place in the consistancy department lead by Javon Snead who one game plays like a heisman candidate and the next you wonder why he is starting. LSU is full of speed and will be ready to shake off an escape from Lousiana Tech last week. Olde Miss will be haunted by the consistancy bug yet again in the 4th quarter.

LSU 24 Old Miss 17

Western Carolina at Appalachian State- The batttle for the Old Mountian Jug!!!!! Yes App has dominated the series of late but Armanti Edwards may be a no go for the Mountian Men on Saturday. Western is healthy for the first time in a long time as it showed last week in their win at Eastrn Kentucky. Western's D has been pretty good for the most part all season long its just the offense has not exactly put the D in ideal positions. However last week for the first time all year bothe were clicking as the Catamounts won against a quality team on the road. Speaking of hot that would describe App after a slow start the Mountianeers have returned to their old form and well won the Sothern Confrence yet again after a convincing win over the Elon Pheonix a week ago. App is looking forward to the playoffs while the Cats are having their "bowl" game in Boone Saturday. Look for a fired up Western squad to jump ahead early as they did a year ago but this year find away not to sucomb to the Appalachian onslaught in the third quarter demonstrated in Cullowhee a year ago. Western will hang tough and be there in the fourth quarter. I think the defense is what wins the Catamounts the Mountian Jug for the first time in 5 years.

Western Carolina 33 Appalachian State 29
-Kyle

College Football Week 11 Picks

So 3 weeks of 2-3 just is not a real good thing leaving me at a total record of 29-22. However one can only stay down but so long. So as we go down the stretch in College Football lets get started with week 11.



Clemson at NC State- This game is a winner already it won the fans pick this week. It's also the Textile Bowl with teams that find themselves in 2 totally different positions, State started off well beating what now is the 12 ranked team in the country and then hit a loosing skid and find themselves pressed to make a bowl game. Clemson started sluggish with a loss to Maryland, but the Tigers have rebounded nicely and find themselves in the driver seat of the ACC's Coastal division. Saturday is sure to be a war and Clemson finally showed the country they can win a big game. However State is coming off of a good win against the Terps and Russell Wilson has proven to be a leader. Spiller will be the main attack for the Clemson offense because of how flat out good he is and the Tigers have a mediocer passing game. Russel Wilson is the engine of the Wolfpack offense and Clemson can't count on his 3 int's from a week ago. Expect a Textile shootout in Carter Finley won by the team that doesn't make the BIG mistake in the 4th quarter.

Clemson 38 NC State 42

Iowa at Ohio State- Although the Big Ten does not have a Championship Game this might as well serve as one. The Hawkeyes come of the major disappointment in loosing their first game against a scrappy Northwestern team. However they can't fuss about the past because now the Big Ten title and a trip to the Rose Bowl is at stake. That being said I expect an Iowa team to come out with a vengeance, but the Buckeye D can play with anyone in the nation. However, Ohio State has been inconsistent on offense and if they make mistakes against Iowa they will pay for them. The Shoe will be rocking but I don't expect this Iowa team to be phased and to make a statement on the road.

Iowa 17 Ohio State 14

Notre Dame at Pittsburgh- Pitt has only had one loss and that was on the road at NC State, the offense is strong but the defense is what has them ranked 12 in the country. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen will have his hands full and if the Irish can't get a run game going it will get UGLY. Pitt has made opponents pay for mistakes all year long and I don't expect to see anything different in Pittsburgh on Saturday night. Clausen will turn the ball over and essentially giving the Pitt Panthers critical points.

Notre Dame 17 Pittsburgh 31

West Virginia at Cincinnati- A huge Friday night affair in Cincy as the Big East is at stake for both teams and for Cincy they have their mind on a possible national title game birth. Expect it to turn into a track meet in the second half with points abound. West Virginia struggled a little earlier in the year but appear to be playing their best football of the year. Cincy is trying to show the nation that a Big East team can be a legit national title contender. Noel Divine will make the difference in the 4th quarter getting the Mountain Men a key 1st down or score. Cincy will be there and wont go away quietly. I wouldn't be surprised to see more than 4 quarters of play on Friday but the rushing game makes the difference.

West Virginia 42 Cincinnati 39

Florida at South Carolina- Ahhh yes the Olde Ball Coach faces his old team once again, but hoping for a different result than he has been used to. Tebow is the heart and soul of the Gators attack and phasing him just flat out wont happen. Garcia has played well at times this year but its on the defense to give him a chance at home in the 4th. Look for the Gamecocks to hang with the Gators till the last ten minutes or so when the Gators should take control and send the upset minded crowd home with another Spurior loss to Florida. Florida has way to much at stake to even consider looking past a game like this, especially on the road in the SEC where NOTHING is easy.

Florida 27 South Carolina 17

-Kyle

College Football Week 10 Wrap

Well it happened, finally Iowa came out flat and couldn't rebound from it. Northwestern played well from begening to end and had help from the Hawkeye offence as they made critical mistakes in the second half that they have not done yet. Now Iowa has to find a way to forget about it and move on and prepare for Ohio State. No the Big 10 doesn't have a conference championship game but this might as well be. Then there was the Ducks, their offence looked more like snails against the Stanforn Cardinal. The Ducks D didn't exactly do their job either giving up 51 points. Florida again plays well in the second half to hold off upset minded Vandy. Texas just rolled as they should have against a cream-puff opponent, but the most impressive top 5 performance came from Alabama. Bama trailed all game until it matered most......the 4th quarter. Bama clinches a spot in the SEC title game but their after more than that as they are on the National Title Prowl. TCU continues to impress as they jump to the 4 spot and seemingly have no issue scoring on anybody. With 6 unbeatens one would have to think a team would have to be unbeaten to play for a national title........or do they? Bama has Chatanooga next week which is no contest.....However they still have to go on the road and face arch rival Auburn who would love nothing more than to ruin a undefeated season for Bama. Now if that happened and Florida looses to Bama in the SEC championship game.......get my drift..........you have a BCS mess. Especially if Cincy, Boise, and TCU stay unscathed. So with that said, lets prepare for a finish that regardless of what happens some teams are going to think they deserved a shot more than some other team, and you can count on that one.
-Kyle

College Football Week 10 picks

With back to back 2-3 weeks and a 27-19 which isn't bad but a good week is in order as we prepare for the final stretch of the College Football season that is full of surprises and is sure to have a few more before seasons end.



Duke at North Carolina- probably the biggest game in the ACC this week, and not for why we originally thought. At the begeniong of the year we would have said this game is huge for the Heels as they try and get to the ACC title game but instead Duke is in that situation and it's the Heels trying to be spoiler. Duke is on fire winning their last 3 ACC contests......someone wanna tell me the last time that was..........yeah it may be close to never. The Heels are comming off a huge upset win in Blacksburg and they absolutely HATE Duke. Oh and Duke doesn't exactly care for the Heels either. Thadius Lewis will lead the Devils in the 4th quarter and the Dukies will start to grab attention as big time ACC contenders.

Duke 38 North Carolina 35



Florida State at Clemson- Ok so this game has a case for the biggest ACC contest this week, Clemson is in a position to take charge of the Coastal and make their life easier to get to Tampa. The Noles meanwhile are facing a must win to stay in the race for Tampa and they have to do it on the road. FSU also needs this game to help get to a bowl game, at 4-4 they have to get a couple of wins to get bowl eligable. Clemson has been notorious for their lack of performance when it matters most and will hurt them against a desperate Siminoles team.

Florida State 31 Clemson 27

USC at Arizona State- Anyone know when the last time the men of Troy lost two in a row..........yeah I didn't think so. Which is bad news for the Sun Devils as USC was just flat out embarrassed by the Ducks in Eugene a week ago. Arizona State has talent and with an upset win at home could actually surpass USC in the Pac 10 standings. Arizona State needs their A game especially on defense if they plan on even slowing down McNight. Look for Pete Carrol's boys to play well and motivated following a big loss a week ago. The Sun Devils will play well but the Trojans will just be to much to handle.

USC 42 Arizona State 31

Northwestern at Iowa- Northwestern has a reputation of giving good teams fits and Iowa has seemingly squeeked by every opponent. The Hawkeyes are at home but look for Northwestern to jump ahead early and grasp the attention of the nation. However, Iowa will wake up, AGAIN, realize whats at stake and take care of buisness at home.

Northwestern 17 Iowa 34

Memphis at Tennessee- After a huge win against South Carolina a week ago Rocky Top is rolling as in state rival comes rolling into town. Memphis after loosing to East Carolina has shown expsure on defense and Rocky Top domminated on offense against a much better South Carolina team. I don't see the rival causing problems for Rocky Top as the Vols will send the Tigers back to Memphis with yet another loss and tell em to wait till basketball season.

Memphis 13 Tennessee 35

-Kyle

Week 10 CFB: Guest Blogger Picks

This week we decided to do something different with my picks. I brought in a guest to make picks this week. This week, the picks have been provided by Daniel Guyer. So lets see how he does.

#9 LSU @ #3 Bama
Watch out for the LSU defense, the ability to get pressure on an inexperienced quarterback will prove deadly for the Tigers. With a stong run game, and an ability to play field provision and clock management, LSU should hold the ball from Bama. Prediction: LSU wins by 7.

#16 Ohio State@ #11 Penn State
With a top 20 run game backed by Evan Royster, Joe Pa has his team in the hunt for the Big 10 title. Not wanting to lose a second game at home, and playing an already struggling Buckeyes team Penn State should come away with the victory. Prediction: Penn St. by 3.

Oregon St @ #20 Cal
Its simple, good secondary, and one of the top run games in the country. Prediction: Cal by 10.

#24 Oklahoma @ Nebraska
Oklahoma has already been a disappointment, but a win by the Cornhuskers puts them back into the race in the Big 12 North. Look for a strong defensive outing, and the ability to pound the ball and control the clock, versus a team who is use to speeding up the game.
Prediction: Nebraska by 6.

Wake Forest @ #10 Georgia Tech
So with Riley Skinner hurt, and a devastating last minute loss at home versus Miami, Wake Forest is reeling. A strong option attack and a burst of momentum should give the Jackets a big edge in this one.Prediction: Georgia Tech by 20.

- Daniel Guyer

College Football Week 9 Wrap Up

Well another week and we don't know much else in conference races as we did a week ago. Kansas State couldn't spoil Oklahoma's holiday but the Oregon offense was down right scary for the USC defense. Who said Oklahoma State would be an issue for Texas. If anything it seemed like the Horns just stampeded their way closer to a spot in the BCS title game. Texas finally showed us the dominating performance the country and the pollsters were looking for. Duke won their 3rd ACC game in a row and are in control of their destiny to play in the ACC title game. Who thought Duke would be in control of their fate or that Iowa State would be in the race for the Big 12 North? Yeah thats what I thought.....NOBODY!!!! Virginia Tech didn't look like the national title contender many saw 3 short weeks ago and North Carolina finally decided to show up. As for Auburn completely going down the tank.........well War Eagle was soaring high and right over the Old Miss Rebels becoming bowl eligible and placing themselves 3rd in the SEC West. Miami got a scare from the Demon Deacs but Wake couldn't quite finish the job at home, also putting a damper on their ACC title game hopes. So as we come down the stretch and near huge games with conference title and Nationat Title implications we should come to know to expect the unexpected.
-Kyle