BCS members willing to talk

Bowl Championship Series members appear ready to address concerns voiced by non-BCS leagues, including the Mountain West Conference.

But they are not willing to explore a playoff for college football.

The BCS Presidential Oversight Committee announced Monday, during a teleconference, plans to hold a Sept. 8 meeting in Chicago with NCAA President Myles Brand and Division I-A presidents whose schools do not own an automatic berth to a BCS bowl game.

Harvey Perlman, University of Nebraska chancellor and member of the BCS Presidential Committee, said the BCS system has been successful during its five-year existence, but he also acknowledged that some changes may be in order.

"Those of us in the conferences that manage the BCS recognize that improvements in the system can be made," Perlman said. "We are open to considering any suggestions."

As long as those suggestions don't include a playoff. BCS officials closed the door on that possibility once again on Monday.

"We have instructed the conference commissioners to not pursue, at least at this point, an NFL-style playoff system for postseason college football," Perlman said. "The six presidents on the Oversight Committee, and most of the other presidents in the six conferences we represent, are skeptical that an NFL-style playoff system can be constructed that is consistent with a number of factors we regard as important."

Factors Perlman cited include the number of games athletes would play and how their academic standing might be affected by an extended season. He also expressed the desire to preserve college football's bowl tradition and to be fair to fans "who deserve a full and exciting regular season as well as the realistic opportunity to travel with their team in postseason play."

The September meeting may have been offered as an olive branch by the BCS and it may also have been a preemptive strike. Today, a previously scheduled teleconference involving non-BCS presidents will be held to discuss changes to the BCS system, among other issues.

Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson said he's pleased with the BCS's decision to meet with non-BCS presidents.

"I am encouraged there will be dialogue at the presidential level regarding the BCS system," Thompson said. "The Mountain West Conference is anxious to participate in the Sept. 8 meeting to explore options to the present system and looks forward to subsequent meetings."