Attention BCS: We are not fooled!
Posted on February 23, 2012 by Jacob Bunn
BCS brass concluded meetings earlier this week to discuss various issues pertaining to the system, and it would seem the organization has decided to continue adopting the status quo. I am not necessarily talking about maintaining the current process of deciding a national champion. I am more addressing the successful effort to reduce public confidence in the product.
Matt Hayes of the Sporting News reported on Tuesday that the plus-one model seems to be the concept with the most current support. He also quoted BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock in the article as saying he would be surprised if the group reached a conclusion before summer. The final meeting for this session was Wednesday. Now, the group will wait until late April before convening again.
Obviously, the question of why the need to wait found its way into my head. I think there are two potential answers. First, maybe the BCS is incompetent to the extent that it cannot conduct business in a productive and cohesive manner any longer. I am itching to say that is the main reason, but my gut tells me it's something else. Second, perhaps the BCS is waiting as long as it can in order to drive up demand to sell the postseason television contract to the highest bidder. Specifically speaking, that would mean every network not named ESPN. I think that is the more plausible conclusion.
I am sorry, but meeting for several days and not resolving anything about the most burning issue of the day, the potential changes to the postseason, simply defies all reasonable logic. Sadly, though, it is not surprising. Serious question: What did they do all week?
Yes, I do realize that the administrators are "zeroing in" on the plus-one model. With all of the time spent in meetings, one would think we could get past the 'zeroing in' stage.
Many college football fans are eagerly anticipating the alterations that are coming to the postseason. It would be interesting if the administrators, who run the sport, at least appeared to care about it.
As you know if you have read my thoughts on the BCS in the past, I am neither an advocate for nor an opponent of changes to college football's postseason. There are sound, passionate arguments about why the BCS has worked and should continue to determine the champion in its current capacity. I have had people tell me why the plus-one, or another alternative, would be a significant improvement. I hear that, too. And of course, there are many in the college football media world who simply disdain the system and want a complete overhaul. And as always, there are pros and cons to both.
I am just addressing what is a systemic problem that transcends college athletics, and it is that nothing important can get done in a timely manner. I have railed on the NCAA time after time, as have others, concerning its constant bending of the rules, inconsistency, and blatant hypocrisy. This time, it is the BCS at fault.
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Email Jacob at jacob@bunnsports.com and follow him on Twitter at @JacobBunn
