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Orrin Hatch and friends turn BCS fight ugly; WAC, MWC may make it worse

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch took it to an antitrust subcommittee yesterday to present his case against the evil, corrupt, unfair BCS. College football experts everywhere have weighed in with their opinions. WAC and Mountain West school presidents are considering not renewing their contract to participate in the BCS starting in 2010.

And the sun still came up this morning.

The efforts of Hatch, BSU president Bob Kustra, BSU AD Gene Bleymaier and others over the past couple months have been admirable, and they have raised the public outcry over the situation. But they haven't exactly affected change.

If anything, we now stand on the precipice of disaster.

Star-divide

Let's begin with Hatch's Legally-Blonde-ish march on Washington. According to some, the hearings were a rather wordy waste of time, with BCS representatives not being nearly the boobs everyone expected and Hatch not having such an easy time debating against people who openly disagree with him. In fact, it sounds like the hearing had a feeling similar to Matlock vs. Jim Carrey's character in Liar, Liar, prior to the part where Carrey pulls his act together and wins.

In the words of Yahoo's Dr. Saturday, "little was accomplished." I wouldn't be surprised if politicians consider that to be a good day. At the very least, Hatch's post-hearing rating doesn't sound nearly as good as the one that Bleymaier received when he took on Washington. Maybe Hatch should have left well enough alone.

(Note: Perhaps it's time to skip over all this committee nonsense and go straight to the man who promised a playoff: Obama. It's not like this economy thing won't be waiting for him when he gets back.)

If Hatch failed in his attempt to make clear the wrong and right with the BCS/playoff debate, at least the members of the media and the millions of college football fans have been vocal. Much of the press yesterday and today has been targeted toward dragging the BCS through the mud. John Feinstein let the BCS have it. Some guy on the FOX Sports website got all huffy. Even Brian Murphy weighed in with his opinion (in a debate column ... with himself?).

But the prize for hyperbole goes to CBS' Spencer Tillman.

Is college football better off under the thumb of an oligarchy or deciding a national champion in an atmosphere of fairness and competition? I choose the American way.

The good news is that so many people are on the "American way" side of the debate. The bad news: the good vibes of public support have meant absolutely nothing for the past five years. It's nice to know that there are people out there who share your opinion that the BCS is the devil, but democracy doesn't really do much good when you're dealing with college football.

In lieu of democracy, then, it appears that non-BCS schools have turned to ... self-imposed anarchy? Now maybe that's worth a shot.

The Mountain West and WAC sure seem to be giving it a good thought. With the BCS contract set to be renewed tomorrow, MWC and WAC presidents are considering not signing the deal, thereby voiding their affiliation with BCS bowls, losing millions of dollars through bowl payouts, officially ending any chance at a mythical national championship, and hopefully maybe sending a message to The Man.

The thinking is that with 18 universities - spread from Louisiana to Hawaii and from Idaho to Texas - taking a stand on the issue of access, Congress or the Justice Department would be forced to act.

Or it might even prompt the BCS to do something.

Or it might set their football programs back a decade. They'll never know until they try.

WAC presidents are conference-calling it this morning in hopes of coming to a consensus for tomorrow's 3:00pm deadline. Their decision, which they promise will match the MWC in the spirit of small conference unity, has the potential to set the college football world on its ear and make a huge statement about the seriousness of the BCS issue.

I believe this is what Senator Hatch had in mind for his senator meeting.

And we all know how that turned out.

0 recs  |  Comment 19 comments |

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Uh oh...

Kevin you exaggerate. I don’t agree that the uni-squawk is fruitless. It can only help. You say there was too much hyperbole? NEVER! But a more compelling move that would have a larger impact on the greedy BCS bastards is to combine the MWC and WAC into one competitive 10 +/- team conference. Loose the losers (Idaho, Utah State et al,) and invite only those who can put 30K seats in the seats every week and generate a larger TV audience.

by JLF on Jul 8, 2009 7:48 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Won't happen

We have to remember the “scope” of a conference. It’s not just about football. And for a move like you need to expect 1) both conferences don’t like what they have and 2) several years to process changes.

BSU getting an invite to the MWC or PAC-10 is far beyond more realizable that this.

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Jul 8, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Absitively Positootly

Combining the two conferences won’t happen next year. Your comment about both conferences have to be unhappy is, of course, what we have now. Somewhere I recall that in 2009 or 20010 the BCS will review its choices about auto invite and/or adding another conference to the club. If the competition for the number 7 slot is WAC, MWC Sunbelt, MAC, or CUSA then MWC is it, if at all. But, today, right now, the MWC has too many baggage programs to be of much interest. They need to shed some unproductive schools and add some teams people want to watch.

by JLF on Jul 8, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

One Other Thought

If the BCS makes a commitment to add one other slot to the auto qualifying conferences, then I predict the other mid-major conferences will begin a realignment process to make themselves more attractive candidates. Expect the best teams in the other conferences to join into one conference just as I suggested we and MWC do. It isn’t rocket science. What better way for the BCS to shed the monkey from their backs than to shake the mid majors up by making a legitimate offer to the only mid major teams who have any chance of competing successfully. You know the cellar dwellers don’t stand a chance so the only ones who can complete are the ones who would re-align.

by JLF on Jul 8, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I would argue that the “uni-squawk” can, in fact, do something other than help. It can hurt, inasmuch as people are getting turned off to the constant whining and complaining of seemingly bitter politicians and fanbases.

(Note: if your comment was sarcasm, then disregard what I said above and replace it with: “Spencer Tillman’s right. Hyperbole is always an appropriate argument, and anyone who loves the BCS may as well be Hitler!”)

"Body!" - Lars

by Kevan Lee on Jul 8, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Holy crapola!

Other than getting into a BCS game this year and then seeing the whole team walking out onto the field in their best suit; I believe this is a very good move at protesting…

..but also, WHAT THE CRAP!?! This could be pretty bad news for the WAC/MWC. Depending on what the BCS does (or, more likely, doesn’t do), recruits aren’t going to want to sign to conferences that have no chance at a championship unless they believe in the cause.

The bigger problem here is that I don’t think mid-lower-tier teams in the WAC (read: everyone but Boise St.) have the ca hones to make this kind of move. The MWC teams might not care to do it at all — seeing as their moving in a positive direction to automatic qualification in in 3 more years.

Hold on boys! We’re going for a ride! …(hopefully)

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Jul 8, 2009 7:55 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

What a Brilliant Idea Old Man...

By combining the two conferences, and eliminating the perpetual ne’er-do-wells, we eliminate the very honest complaint about our sos. We would also legitimately challenge for an auto qualifying slot. I just can’t help but think that the real issue is money and those who do not generate it can’t play nationally. It is a reasonable argument. This whole thing really is about who wants to watch.

by JLF on Jul 8, 2009 7:59 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The WAC and MWC should refuse to sign on with BCS then at the end season, the top 4 teams from both conferences meet in an 8-team playoff.

Opening round (Dec. 12th this year for example) is played at the higher ranked teams venue (using the Sagarin rankings)

Semi-final round (Dec. 19th) is played the following week at neutral sites (example: Utah vs. BSU might be played in San Diego or Hawaii)

Championship game is played on January 2nd in Las Vegas. The winner is crowned national champion. Refuse to recognize the BCS national champion on the grounds that their title is not decided by way of a playoff.

You could sell TV rights to a national network (FOX maybe interested after the BCS goes to ESPN) Imagine, while no other football is being played because teams are preparing for a bowl game, the first two rounds of the playoffs would have unrivaled TV access. Making the January 2nd championship game must see TV, in my opinion.

Who knows what could happen imagine the chaos that would ensue…priceless!

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken." -Colonel Sanders (look it up)

by Mikrino on Jul 8, 2009 8:23 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

erm

who’d bet that such a playoff would be for the “1-A minus” title or something like that? Isn’t that a step backwards?

by killtacular on Jul 9, 2009 1:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or it might set their football programs back a decade.

This is where my vote lies. The WAC and MWC have little to gain by taking their ball and going home with it.
Neither conference carries the type of clout that would be noticed if they were to leave the BCS picture. TV contracts would be eliminated (not so bad for the MWC) and recruiting would take a big hit.
I am all for standing up for what you believe in, but is a college sports program, that is essentially a business, willing to forego its primary revenue sources on the slim chance that big brother will beg them to stay?
The big 6 conferences carry the hammer in this case and if the WAC and MWC want to walk away in protest, my guess is that the BCS conferences let them go with a whimper and not the bang that the 18 university presidents are hoping for.
Their best course is to sign the deal and continue to let the groundswell of public pressure inspire a change to the system.

"...he could have run for 500 yards if only the end zone hadn't kept getting in the way"

by MKingery on Jul 8, 2009 9:12 AM PDT reply actions   1 recs

At first, I really liked the idea of the WAC/MWC stiffing the new BCS contract. Then I came to my senses. Not signing that contract would actually be doing the BCS and its constituents a favor – they wouldn’t have to worry about our complaining any more, there’d be a better chance to ensure Big Six conference participation in BCS games, and they would have a bigger chunk of change to split among a smaller group of schools.

I cringe to think of what a decision like bucking the BCS would do to the Broncos’ program.

"Body!" - Lars

by Kevan Lee on Jul 8, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It would also mean that they wouldn’t have to worry about losing to these non-BCS schools any more. :)

Think Ball State could have beaten a BCS school? Tulsa?

by Egnowit on Jul 8, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know I know..

I agree that it really wouldn’t have the impact desried. Thats was my exaggerated attempt at utopia. I agree with Kevan it actually improves the odds that a BCS teams gets a BCS bowl. Let’s face it, the only BCS “busters” are from these two conferences. Take the MWC/WAC out of the picture, no more arguments for equality. At least no formidable ones. It remains that the best way to apply pressure is to crash the “big” game.

I wonder if the BCS committee members are secretly hoping the MWC and WAC do opt out…?

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken." -Colonel Sanders (look it up)

by Mikrino on Jul 8, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn’t put it past them.

"Body!" - Lars

by Kevan Lee on Jul 8, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My favorite bit...

…in Cripe’s article:

…said Benson, who does not get to vote on the matter.

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Jul 8, 2009 9:34 AM PDT reply actions   1 recs

Classic.

"Body!" - Lars

by Kevan Lee on Jul 8, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who needs time?

Good thing they didnt wait until the last minute, and good thing they all have speaker phones. That tells me there is about the same chance of this happening as BSU playing in the national title game this year. We all know that none of these head honchos are carrying anything around with them thats as big as theyd need to make this decision. Maybe they could have started this whole threat a few weeks back to let it build up some steam? For the sake of our program staying on the up and up, lets hope this doesnt happen.

by BustersBFF on Jul 8, 2009 10:02 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Well...

Watson says that even if we don’t sign tomorrow, we can still sign before the ‘010 season starts. Of course, my source isn’t anywhere near credible. In fact, I made sure to be sure that “Watson” and “credible” weren’t in the same sentences.

"You know where i'm from, a little suspicion about one's true identity and motives is considered good manners."
-- Nale

by Loque on Jul 8, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Talk about going all in! If they did do something like this, they probably WOULD have a good anti-trust case to sue the BCS with. But unless/until they won, they’d create a new space somewhere between 1-A and 1-AA, and it would … suck.

by killtacular on Jul 9, 2009 1:40 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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