Deseret News | Shurtleff considers probe of the BCS

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Shurtleff considers probe of the BCS

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Here he goes again | 8:07 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Good ole' Mark, someone must have made a major campaign donation or they U must have hired one of his kids. Mark doesn't do anything unless there is something in it for himself. Here is another crazy idea...how about spending time in the office and getting something constructive done, rather than looking for the limelight. Which donor sent him to New Orleans anyway; pay-day-lenders, Siegfried and Jensen, or another law office that he will award another million dollar case. Mark, stick to political corruption and stay out of the sports arena

seadit | 8:08 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Its naive to think the BCS and the NCAA isn't about money first and competition 2nd (or less, depending on where you want to put conference egos). What other athletic organization rakes in so much money using athletes that aren't paid? That means the NCAA & Universities make the money, not the athletes. Think about how much money that is claimed by so few.

Also consider what Utah & the MWC made in a BCS bowl ($17 million) vs. non-BCS bowls, then consider that some conferences get an automatic bid EVERY year to the BCS while a MWC team has to go undefeated against a tough schedule.

This isn't about better conferences & talent, it's about money. Period!

It's a simple choice.. | 8:08 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Either you believe FBS football is like gymnastics where teams are measured by individuals competitor skill and subjectively voted on by non-athletes OR you believe it's a team sport where the team can be more than a collection of individuals and winners are proven on the field. If you believe the first, let's push to do away with the scoring system and just have a bunch of sports writers determine which team played prettier at the end of the game. If you believe the second, then why in the world would you settle for anything less than a playoff system?

Comments continue below

Join the PAC-10 | 8:13 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

If Utah And BYU want to be considered as serious contenders for the BCS, then they need to join a BCS conference.

DH | 8:17 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

How absurd. We have major issues in this country right now and he is going to spend our time and tax dollars worrying about football chapionships? I hate the BCS as much as anything but let's focus on what matters right now. People are losing jobs left and right, they can't make their house payments, or are struggling to get enough money for food.

This is nothing more than political grandstanding!

Oh, come on | 8:16 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Is there an interest group that Shurtleff won't pander to?

Steve P | 8:19 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Do you believe in fairy tales? Well, those from the bull crap series believe in them. They think they are the strongest conferences and should keep the rest out and they will not even let us try to prove our point.

The previous time Utah had a perfect season in 2004 they went to the Fiesta Bowl and took on a lousy Pitt team that was hardly a decent opponent and won. This time the bull crap series decided to prove their point and give them a decent opponent -- Alabama the #4 team in the country. This Alabama match up was supposed to show the non-BCS teams why they didn't belong and put an end to the controvesy. Only things didn't go so well for the bull crap series.

The only way to show there is a true national champion is to have a play off. This crap about starting with false preseason rankings, then guesswork rankings and computers to determine a winner was just proven false on January 2, 2009. While it might be a poor use of state funds, it sounds like we are talking about private money to launch this fight. Let's beat up Captain Hook!

whah! | 8:17 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

quit your complaining Utah. There is no way you can compete with the big boys week in and week out.

jumipin' jack | 8:20 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You go girl!

Best of luck.

Shamleff | 8:31 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

What a complete sham this guy is. Shows what is most important matter on the AGs mind. Our taxes going to this! Sports! What in the sam helper is wrong with you people! Its a game!

Go get 'em General | 8:35 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

General Shurtleff, go get 'em. I appreciate your devotion to stomp out illegal activity where ever it may hide. You will get my vote for your 4th term as well. Utah is proud to have you as our Attorney General.

BCS Monopoly | 8:43 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The BCS is a stinky system that needs to be broken up. Yes, it hurt the Utes this year and the MWAC every year, but it even hurts BCS schools and athletes. USC and Texas have a reasonable claim to being the NC this year also - you couldn't count either of those teams out if their were a playoff this year.

Fans and college football athletes are hurt the most by the BCS. It's time for the BCS to be broken up. That's what with do with Monopolies here in the USA.

TED | 8:47 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

STOP WASTING TAX PAYERS MONEY? For all of you who think this is a bad idea, have you forgotten that your taxes go to the University of Utah also? It would be nice to have some of the dollars generated by college football to help supplement our taxes. Football is only a game but college football generates millions and millions of dollars a year, which non-BCS schools are being denied access to. The BCS is not only wrong, it is corrupt. Itï¿½s a few white shirts controlling a system for the benefit of the few and to the detriment of the rest. When this happens in corporate America we expect our government to go after them and set things right. Well, college football is more than a game, it is a business. It is a part of corporate America and it needs to be fixed. The benefits of making this right will outweigh the costs.

Utahns for Ethics | 8:53 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

"How do you substitute greed and money for heart and guts."

That's what we were asking after Mark won his last election.

Chucky D | 8:53 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Yesterday Mike Sorensen stated the Utah team was the greatest in the history of the State.

Now Shurtleff wants to sue to have the Utah Team declared National Champions.

Dude, they beat AFA by a touchdown and TCU and UNM by a fieldgoal.

Great Sugar Bowl, but come on.

Utah is NOT the best team in the State of Utah's history, nor the best team in the country.

Can WE get over ourselves yet?

@ Ross | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You have a poor understanding of economics. The non-BCS conferences cannot generate the same level of money because of the BCS monopoly. It takes money, that Utah doesn't have, to keep top coaches from leaving. Players also choose to go to BCS schools over non-BCS schools because the chances of getting exposure and the chance to play in a BCS Bowl are much greater. There are numerous top caliber players who have chosen not to play for BYU, Utah or other non-BCS schools because of this. Even many LDS and Utah based players who might have chosen differently under a different system.
The simple fact is, the BCS was set up to concentrate money and power in a minority of football conferences, and prevent a non-BCS school from ever winning another national championship, like BYU in 1984.

Fan | 9:00 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Sure, with the economy the way it is and the issues Utah has in front of us, lets get going on this BCS argument. I am a super big Utah fan but be careful what you ask for or you may get it. Arn't we all glad the Utes don't play USC this weekend. Lets just enjoy a great win and a super season and save our tax dollars for something important.

Dave from Midvale | 9:11 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I've read the comments that swing from "this is stupid" and "this just sounds like sour grapes and pouty" to "go, go, I'm a Ute fan."

I'm a BYU fan originally from Florida. . . and a former Gator/Seminole fan (I know, sounds weird). I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO SEE THIS FOREVER!!!

I have always thought the BCS was an illegal monopoly. Even if all 11 Div. I conferences signed it; IT'S STILL ILLEGAL!!!

If anything at all (and I hope Mr. Shurtleff investigates this) the BCS is a violation of the NCAA charter, especially the spirit of it.

Idaho Cougar Fan | 9:17 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

My hat is off to Utah Football. They played like giant killers in their dismantling of an overrated Alabama team. While some of their wins during the season weren't pretty, they always found a way to win. No team plays at 100% all season long. (My Cougars sure laid plenty of eggs!) The fact is that the Utes did all that was asked of them. They won every game! There's nothing more that can be asked of any team. A win is a win! It would be classless to pile on the points for a larger winning margin. In any case, no team has ever been more deserving of being named "National Champion" in the history of college sports. Let's not let the BcS travesty diminish what Utah has accomplished this season. 13-0!

Economic terminology | 9:33 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I know, I know, it's mostly semantics, but the term you are all looking for is not "monopoly," it's "oligopoly." "Cartel" would also work. I might also point out that are almost no actual monopolies in existence, since it requires there to be one, and ony one, person or entity with market power. The BCS is an organization of conferences who have amassed quite a bit of market power through contractual arrangements. That makes them an oligopoly, not a monopoly.

And yes, before anyone asks, I realize I'm a geek. If I weren't, would I be posting to these forums, at all?

Anonymous | 9:58 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

i am sick of all these utah fans thinking they deserve a shot at the title. they did go undefeated. but play floridas, oklahomas, or texas's schedueles and they will not be undefeated. even if utah is a good team, put usc florida or oklahoma in the mtn west and they would be bcs busters every year!! because you had one good showing against alambama, thats one game. you have to prove yourself worthy against acc and sec teams for a whole season. not one game where you have 3 weeks to prepare for one game.

Shecky | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

OH,YES! Let's sue the BCS. This is no doubt the best use of the taxpayers time and money. Mr. Shurtleff and Congress...please lead us to sanity and reason. Forget about the tough economic times, budget cuts,layoffs, bankruptcy, taxation and spending and let's concentrate on the BCS. The only 'bigger waste of time' is me blogging about this garbage. Get a life. I do agree the BCS is a bunch of hooey and I am in favor of an actual playoff...and I think the Utes should be ranked no less than #2 when its all over and done, but come on...SUE? Isn't Mr. Shurtleff a Republican, and don't the Republicans hate frivolous lawsuits?

boring | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

how can the Utes jump 5 spots to become national champs, stop crying and move on with life.

Hank Williams | 10:11 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Shurtleff must have gotten out his Eliot Spitzer playbook and gone to the chapter on publicity stunts. There are many more important things for the AG's office to spend our tax dollars and their time.

BCS Support Sickens me | 10:28 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The BCS system is no doubt rigged and unfair. What sickens me more than anything are the people who actually stand up for the BCS system. What are they really protecting? Do they really believe that the BCS system is better at determining a NC than a playoff system?

I am glad to see someone like Mark Shurtleff trying to do something about it. I hope he can make a difference. I hope that the AP voters stand up to the BCS and vote Utah #1.

Blaine W.
Cougar Fan

kv2 | 10:36 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Utah is trully a pathetic place! What a bunch of whiners and cry babies! Always willing to play the victim card!

Mike M. | 10:34 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I hate to say it but I think part of the problem lies with us who love Utah (or BYU or USU) who go out and support the big BCS schools. Do you purchase USC or Florida merchandise? Do you watch their games on TV. Have you ever been to a game in which they were playing. Maybe, it will take all the little schools and their fans to boycot this stupid BCS system to finally have an equal and fair playing field. Maybe all non BCS conference should refuse to schedule BCS oponents. Maybe all non power conferences should just break away from the NCAA all together. Once the BCS and power conferences start losing money, maybe they will rethink their monopoly on college sports.

To Anonymous 9:58 | 10:38 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You're mixing apples and oranges. The essence of the BCS is that the "in" schools get all the bowl money and thereby create a huge advantage in terms of recruiting, facilities, marketing, etc.

If you put USC, FL, or OK into the MWC, they would lose that competitive advantage. The facilities and reputation would endure for a time, but gradually their programs would decline to the level of the rest of the conference.

By the same token, if you put Utah in a BCS conference, then with the influx of BCS money, our facilities, recruiting, etc. would dramatically improve, and we WOULD be competitive week in / week out.

That's what makes Utah's accomplishments stand out - we are inherently disadvantaged by the system, but have found a way to compete with the "in" schools nonetheless. It only shows in the bowl games because right now, other than the very occasional non-conference game, that's the only time the Utes can get on the big boys' schedules.

And as for your "3 weeks" argument, Alabama had the same three weeks to prepare for Utah - so why didn't they show any better in the game?

The King | 10:38 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Please Shurtleff. Don't take the glitter off all the great things the Utes have accomplished by whining about the BCS. Let some other Don Quixote
take on the task of looking like an idiot. Barack Obama for example......

GO UTES !!!!!!

Good job. | 10:37 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Good job Mark. Go for it. More money will come when people see you're serious.

Alabama Fan | 10:43 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Hey Utes quit whinning. You win one big game and you think you are God's gift of football. To be honest, Bama fans were disappointed to be playing the likes of Utah and quite frankly we didn't get up for the game. So what? You win several N.C. and then you will be considered a National Champion. One game just doesn't do it. Take your 15 seconds in the lime light, enjoy it and then get on with life.
GO Alabama!!!

Legal Standpoint | 10:42 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Look, regardless of how you feel about this subject, the fact of the matter is that the BCS creates an Oligopoly (a few control the market) through collaboration. This would never be allowed in any business in the United States. This kind of thing is why anti-trust legislation exists. Being a free market economy, our system is set up so that all have equal access to the market. The BCS creates a situation where the majority of the money will always go to the people who created and control it. What they are doing is against the law. Period. This is not an issue of fairness over who gets to be national champ (that's just a bonus), this is a MONEY issue and a legal issue, and from a legal and business perspective (remember, colleges are businesses - they need to make money in order to keep running, and the more money the better you can do) the BCS should not be allowed to exist in its current form.

Josh | 10:47 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

How about a game, Utah versus the "BCS champion." Lets settle this the only proper way, a GAME! No attorneys, no judges, just the players and coaches, battling it out head to head.

Bob | 10:47 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Ignorance is bliss, eh kv2?

To CP | 10:57 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Um...BYU hasn't gone undefeated in quite a while now. We went undefeated through the conference two straight years, but not for the entire season. In fact, we've been 10-2 each of the last three seasons.

While I share the sentiments with those who don't want the money spent on a lawsuit, I would love to see the BCS system turned into a playoff...it would make me actually care about the games other than the Vegas Bowl to which we're eternally destined as Cougars!

Well done, Utes! I was skeptical, but you really gave it to those 'Bama boys! Maybe you should spend some of the money on some Kleenex for Saban!

2008 NCAA D-1A Football Playoff | 10:58 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

What COULD have been:

11 conference champions plus 5 highest ranked at-large teams (AP/Coaches polls combined)

Seeded according to combined rankings, but avoiding first round same conference matchups when possible

Played each Saturday beginning the 1st Saturday after Christmas

1_#1_Oklahoma_(Big_12)
2_#2_Florida_(SEC)
3_#3_Texas_(at_large)
4_#4_Alabama_(at_large)
5_#5_USC_(PAC_10)
6_#6_Utah_(MWC)
7_#7_Texas_Tech_(at_large)
8_#8_Penn_St_(Big_Ten)
9_#9_Boise_St_(WAC)
10_#10_Ohio_St_(at_large)
11_#11_TCU_(at_large)
12_#12_Cincinnati_(Big_East)
13_#14_Georgia_Tech_(ACC)
14_East_Carolina_(C-USA)
15_Buffalo_(MAC)
16_Troy_(Sun_Belt)

1st round at home of higher seed, Dec 27

Troy at Oklahoma
Buffalo at Florida
East Carolina at Texas
Georgia Tech at Alabama
Cincinnati at USC
TCU at Texas Tech
Ohio State at Utah
Boise State at Penn State

2nd round in Orange, Sugar, Fiesta and Rose Bowls, Jan 3

Fiesta: Penn State vs Oklahoma
Orange: Utah vs Florida
Sugar: Texas Tech vs Texas
Rose: USC vs Alabama

Semi-Final in Fiesta and Sugar Bowls, Jan 10

Fiesta: USC vs Oklahoma
Sugar: Texas vs Utah

National Championship in Rose Bowl, Jan 17

USC vs Utah

The rest of the bowls could be played as usual on any day other than Saturday.

EVERY team would start the season with an equal opportunity to win the NC, regardless of preseason rankings. Win your conference and you're in the tournament.

The payout would DWARF the current BCS payouts!

Email the AP - Utah # 1 | 10:59 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

No doubt Utah has the correct Att. General. Take down the BCS!

Investment | 11:01 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Go for it Mark! There is a pot of millions which is not being distributed fairly.

It's a wise investment to escalate this issue if he can reallocate some of the millions to our schools

al | 11:03 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Mark's just projecting. It's he, himself, who needs to be investigated.

Oh please | 11:10 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Shurtleff is blowing smoke. He has no clout and he knows it. Hatch is doing the same thing. Hatch had a chance to bring down the hammer of congress and he declined. Why, because he doesn't have the clout either. Get over it. It is what it is. Utah got their share of the money. The conferences agreed. Now be quiet and live with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, sure... | 11:12 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

2008 NCAA D-1A Football Playoff said, "The payout would DWARF the current BCS payouts!"

Well sure, but it wouldn't funnel the money to the "right" schools, now would it?

Scearce | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The BCS is the tail wagging the dog (the NCAA). Shouldn't be so, but it is! Or worse, is the BCS now the dog and is wagging the tail (NCAA)? NCAA needs to step up and fix this outrageous monopoly! The universities are NCAA schools not BCS schools.

re: Alabama Fan | 10:43 a.m. | 11:17 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Want some Cache Valley Cheese to go with that whine?

Come to MWC country and beat a team like Utah or TCU or BYU, then you can brag about all your past glory like it's meaningful today.

The SEC is all talk, but no walk, when it comes to playing tough OOC opponents on the road.

Scott | 11:20 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The heck with BCS, playoffs etc.. Let's have a boxing match with Orin Hatch against a senator from the winner of the Florida Oklahoma game...

Regardless of the outcome, Orin should be glad a NY team didn't get into the BCS, else he'd get his butt kicked by Hillary...

Anonymous | 11:26 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I used to agree with the argument that a playoff would lessen the significance of the regular season, but this year, I have seen the light! After watching Alabama, Texas, Texas Tech and other top teams that felt cheated and maybe did not want to be there not play well, I realized that a few down games in the regular season is a whole lot better than a couple of weak performances in the bowl games. With a playoff, Alabama would have no excuses because there would be no reason not to be ready. The broadcasters wouldn't be able to say-'Yes, they won, but if they played ten times this bcs school would win 8-9 times.' Let's get a playoff!

Willie Maize | 11:28 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Shurtleff PALS around with the FLDS who live an illegal lifestyle that covers up child rape and he wants to go after the BCS?

Why is this clown in office?

A Modest Proposal | 11:35 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

BCS Busting Idea: All non-BCS conferences and teams, tell the NCAA to take a hike and start paying your athletes as minor-league players...that would shake things up a bit. Making millions off student athletes who risk life and limb to entertain us in football is the real crime that needs to be investigated.

ron | 11:44 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

wow, where were all these fans in 1984, yelling we were undefeated??

Mike M. | 11:56 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I completely agree with the poster at 10:58. Your playoff system seems completely fair and I think it would produce so much more interest. We could still play all the original bowl games, as well as having two new bowls (in the semis) and the National Championship bowl. American loves the underdog, we are the epitimy of underdogs, why can't we give the little guys a chance.

To Alabama Fan | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

"Bama fans were disappointed before the game!" Ouch, they must really be suffering now.

Do I hear excuses coming from the SEC...Does such a great conference, with such great teams and talent NEED excuses? Oh, Are we feeling a little insecure right now?

Well, you should be, because Utah MADE your team look weak and hapless. And I, a die-hard Cougar Alum and Fan, enjoyed every second of it!

Congrats Utes! Oh, and uh, Go Cougs (with humility, please.)!

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