Pac-10, Big Ten hold us all hostage

The elitism, greed and threats of these two conferences are at the center of the blockade that prevents the BCS from moving forward to a national playoff. They hide behind a pious self-serving "protection," their Holy Grail — the Rose Bowl — while all remaining conferences, schools, college football fans and even TV contracts remain hostage to their fantasy.

That's right, the outcome of college football's championship is currently dictated by three parties who faithfully watch one another's backs — the Pac-10, Big Ten and Rose Bowl.

I say let college football move toward a national playoff championship. If the Pac-10/Big Ten/Rose Bowl coalition makes threats to withdraw from the plan, let them have their wish. Call their bluff. Cut off the Three Amigos and let them enjoy their parade, flowers and hallowed game in Pasadena.

I don't think USC fans, nor their potential recruits, would go for that very long.

Pete Carroll: "Come to USC, where you can't win a national title, but, by golly, you certainly could play the Buckeyes or Wolverines in the Rose Bowl."

It's time to move on. If our sporting events had never evolved, we'd still be watching lions eat men.

These are the issues on the table at the BCS meetings Sunday through Wednesday in Hollywood, Fla., where Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson joins 10 other conference commissioners and BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe is representing MWC athletic directors.

One of the items on this week's agenda is discussion of a four-team playoff — a start. It would take No. 1 versus No. 4 and No. 2 against No. 3, and the winners would then play for a national championship.

Of course, the Pac-10 and Big Ten want no part of it, never have and, if their administrators have their way, never will.

Their Rose Bowl enjoys favored nation status, it's own exclusive TV deal, favored Jan. 1 kickoff for ratings, is protected from ever having to deal with a Utah, Boise State or Hawaii, so precious ratings won't dip, and it is the only bowl that gets to waive a $6 million annual fee to be one of the four BCS games, even if it means weaker matchups that don't involve Florida or Georgia.

That's not football in Pasadena, it's a pair of poodles dancing under strobe lights.

The way it stands now, the Pac-10 and Big Ten are running the show. They dictate the agenda, the discussion and the outcome. In short, they are holding every college football fan in America in jail. This is why you had USC kill No. 13 Illinois in the Rose Bowl this past January, while more deserving teams certainly could have faced the Trojans.

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