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Dick Harmon: BCS again holds NCAA hostage

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Bronco Blue in Provo | 4:25 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Is that Josh Groban I hear singing? Or is it Dick Harmon singing in the shower? Either way, the sound is hauntingly beautiful.

Can you imagine . . . . .?

Need change | 7:16 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

What if there was a ban on any polls after the end of the regular season? No national champion except based on the final regular season poll. The bowl games have become ridiculous and too numerous to be meaningful. Or what if the fans and media did not support the BCS? Just ignore it (though that would never happen). But I really wonder if there is some element of antitrust involved in all of this. There is litigation over all sorts of things. Why not get some bright minds together and challenge the BCS university presidents, including former Utahn Gordon Gee, who is from all accounts, one of the worst offenders in this crowd. The whole situation iof offensive and disgusting.

wow | 7:20 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

If Boise jumps Utah I will never watch college football on television again.

Comments continue below

Bitter Dick | 7:21 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

It sounds like Dick is just bitter that his team has never been able to crash the BCS party. Maybe next year

Dr. J | 7:31 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

The BCS is really messed up, the folks who run the thing must have got their degrees from UU.

R u saying anything | 7:41 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

The BCS is the system in place, deal with it. It rewards the better teams in the long run. Do you want to release the games before the championship games are played. Maybe basketball should do the same. Quit giving the BYU whine perspective. If the cougars were the team in waiting you would no problem with it Dick!

Boise fan | 7:59 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Boise fans don't want Boise State to jump Utah, they want Boise State to get the bid over an Ohio State team that has stunk it up at the BCS bowls the past several years.

Either team in isolation would have easily made a BCS bowl and likewise both should go now. The current BCS system pits mid-major teams against each other unlike the NCAAB system that allows you to root for other mid-majors.

The playoffs need to come soon and not just an 8 team playoff or the mid-majors will get left out again.

Non-BCS Championship Game? | 8:00 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Why doesn't the largest of the Non-BCS Bowls break ties with their conference tie-ins, find sponsors to pony the money and a TV network, and create the Non-BCS Championship Game for all non-BCS teams to be eligible for. And no way ever let a team from a BCS conference participate in it!

88 teams in playoffs! | 8:12 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Although, there is no FBS(Div. I-A) playoff, there are 88 college football teams in playoffs to find a champion of their divisions: 16 teams in the FCS (Div. I-AA) including Weber State; 24 teams in Division II; 32 teams in Division III; and, 16 teams in the NAIA Football Championship. Only the FBS and NJCAA do not have playoffs. And so it will be, opinion and popularity and money until the end of time. Life isn't fair; anyone who says otherwise, is selling something.

Do unto others... | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

This is unbelievable... TCU should be in the Las Vegas Bowl no question. Harmon just mentioned that the LV Bowl will selected #3 BYU over #2 TCU for "economic" reasons, and I'm sure many BYU fans would be happy about that. But how about getting snubbed by the BCS year after year for "economic" reasons. The BCS would take a 6-6 Notre Dame any day over an undefeated Utah or BYU for those same "economic" reasons.

If "our" Las Vegas Bowl takes the conference's #3 team over the #2 team, our conference has no leg to stand on when wondering why we don't have an auto-bid into BCS bowls.

LV Bowl... take TCU this year, it's the ONLY right thing to do.

Cougtucky | 8:23 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Yes, I would rather see Utah in a BC$ game than Boise State. However, when you compare the two teams' statistics, scoring offenses and defenses. Boise appears to be the better team. Yes strength of schedule can be cited, but Boise has blown out most of their opponents. Even their game vs. Oregon was a blowout up until the 4th quarter when the Ducks mustered up a comeback rally. Whereas Utah has had some close calls. If the pollsters take these things into consideration, then it might be Utah in the Las Vegas bowl this year. Will it happen? Likely not, but possibility is a little scary for some.
Anyway, give us a playoff and we won't have to read and write comments like this anymore.

Dr. J | 8:32 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

What is UU? Union University?

Stop Your Whining | 8:32 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Utah fans are not whining or complaining that the BCS holds them hostage. The Utes are going to the BCS for the second time in five years.

Go Utes!

GatorFan | 8:34 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

It caught my attention that the author used the fact that Boise State plays in a weaker conference as a reason that Utah should go to a BCS game. It's the same argument Mountain West teams take umbridge at when their conference schedule is compared to those at the Big Six conferences.

If Utah fans are upset that their season is over but have to wait another 2 weeks, during which time they may get leap-frogged, they can remedy this. Schedule another game so your season ends a week later with the other major-conference teams. And do what it takes to add a conference championship game. The championship game is what vaulted Florida to the national title game a few years ago and may do the same thing again this year.

um | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

if the MWC had a conference championship game it wouldn't have its bowl picture held hostage. I'm not bashing the conf., I'm just pointing out a fact.

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 8:49 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Not one SEC or Big 12 team is being held out of a BCS game because of Utah. Instead, those that won't go are held out by the rule that only two teams from a conference can go to a BCS game.

A lot depends right now on the Pac Ten and whether two teams or one go to a BCS game. If both Oregon State and USC win out, both will go. If either loses one of their remaining games, that team likely will not go, although if Oregon State loses to Oregon and USC to UCLA, Oregon State still goes to the Rose Bowl.

what? | 8:50 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Cougtucky- Come on, please. You are going to go the route of comparing statistics to determine who is better? BSU scored .1 ponts per game more than Utah, against comparably weaker defenses. Sure Utah gave up 4 more points per game, but please. You make it sound like Boise is statistically superior than Utah. Check out all the stats and get back to me. Its alot closer than you think. Personally I think the pollsters will look at the fact that Utah has wins over three teams currently in the top 20, Boise has one. I'd love to see both teams make it, but the Utes better get the nod over Boise. And there is no way there should be a play-in between the top non-BCS teams. That is adding insult to injury and another reason for the critics to say told you so.

16 TEAM PLAYOFF | 9:10 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

COLLEGE FOOTBALL MUST HAVE A 16 TEAM PLAYOFF SYSTEM-

NO OTHER WAY TO REALLY SATISFY THE REAL NEED TO DETERMINE A TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!

IT IS A JOKE IT ISNT IN PLACE NOW-

DeltaCougar | 9:21 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Hey, Do unto other, Here is one Cougar that would rather see TCU in the LV Bowl. I'd rather go to San Diego, especially if BSU is there.

Agree with Boise Fan | 9:35 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Boise is much more deserving than Ohio State. Everyone knows it, but the money grubbers are not going to give the non-BCS orphans one more cent than they absolutely have to.

BCS - It's not about equity or fairness; it's not about competition and championships. IT'S ABOUT MONEY!!!

lou | 9:45 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Does anyone realize that the Utes could have been playing for the National Championship if it were not fore a bone-headed move by the athletic department?

Yes, the Utes.

The Utes had Texas on their schedule for this year a few years ago. With an upset of the Longhorns and Texas in the National title hunt, the Utes would be right there.

Instead, we cancelled on them because "we had to make room" for TCU. Which was bogus. It didn't make sense because we then scheduled Weber State a few weeks later. Then last year we added Michigan to the schedule for the 12th game. Make room for TCU was a big excuse. I don't know if it was Chris Hill or Urban Meyer who nixed the game, but they are surely regretting that decision now.

What a shame! Oh...what could have been?

Great season though...GO UTES!

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 9:52 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

To GatorFan,

First, like most advocates of the so-called Big Six conferences, you have chosen to completely misrepresent the Mountain West Conference position. We don't complain about strength of schedule, we complain about the automatic assumption that all these so-called Big Six conference champions have a stronger schedule than the MWC champion. It has not been true in the Big East for years and this year, it isn't true in the ACC or Pac Ten either. Outside of the Big 12 and the SEC, what conference champion in one of the other four is going to emerge with three wins over ranked opponents? If OSU beats Oregon today, the MWC champion will also have a victory over the PAC Ten champion--not really surprising as the MWC pretty much owned the PAC Ten this year.

Second, this Utah fan and all others I know, don't feel the BCS is holding us hostage. It is the other MWC teams wanting to know whether they will be playing in Las Vegas or San Diego or Fort Worth or Albuquerque. And I don't blame them. These bowls don't want to select teams until Utah is formally in the Fiesta or Sugar bowl.

Ernest Hemple | 10:05 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

What happened to the NCAA? They were the designated organization that was supposed to manage college sports. The BCS is an organization that hijacked the college sports. It is time to sue the NCAA for allowing the BCS to disenfranchise the many schools who were full paying members of the NCAA and for that matter still are. The BCS prevents non-BCS schools from getting top high school recruits. It grabs the lion share of money paid to bowl participants, taking from those schools who should have been protected by the NCAA their opportunity to participate in these end of year bowl games. I would also include any school or conference who has benefited from attending a bowl game and received compensation. Those dollars belong equally to NCAA schools and conferences. It;s time the non-BCS schools dip into their trust funds and fight back!

akk | 10:13 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

I feel bad for Boise... they are undefeated and are consistantly good... They won't make a BCS game and have done everything they can do by going undefeated. The system is bad when that happens... the money grubers will never change the system volantarily... Hopfully Boise wins their Bowl game and remains undefeated... nobody can take that away from them... GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ernest T. Bass | 10:22 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Even with the BCS standards being relaxed for the non-BCS leagues, the non-BCS leagues need to band together and file a law suit. They're still keeping all the money out of the pockets of the non-BCS while making sure the rich stay rich.
The MWC plays in the same division as all the BCS teams but struggles with the cash.
Get rid of the BCS!

Coogar | 10:34 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

The MWC is 6-1 against the PAC-10 this year. The WAC is 2-4 with one game to be played today. At least by this comparison, the MWC is a stronger conference than the WAC. Utah should go to the BCS game.

huge advantage for Non-BCS teams | 10:48 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Boise St. and Utah would most likely NEVER be in the BCS if they weren't in the WAC or MWC. Instead of complaining they should be very grateful that they don't have to play a SEC, ACC, BIG 10 or even PAC 10 schedule every week.

No way would Utah if playing in the Pac 10 have 2 BCS appearances in the last 5 years. That is a great accomplishment.

The current set up of the BCS greatly favors the likes of Boise St, Utah and even BYU

allan | 10:53 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

I agree ...it was a HUGE mistake that we cancelled on Texas a few years ago. Why would you EVER cancel a game against Texas that was willing to come to Rice-Eccles Stadium?

Good luck on getting them to schedule that again!

Bob2 | 10:57 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

"Dancing like poodles under strobe lights..."

Nice. Pretty good article.

to "huge advantage for Non-BCS t | 11:15 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Maybe the Utes or Boise couldn't hold up in the SEC, ACC, or big 10 over a season-- but I like their chances against the PAC-10 and definitely over the Big East!!

No way should a Big East school get an automatic bid. That is a JOKE!!! The top 3 MWC teams would dominate the Big east. If the Utes were in the Big east, they would probably have 5 BCS appearances in 5 years.

Anonymous | 11:27 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

8 team playoff won't work cause the powers that be will manipulate the system to still cut out the mnt. west and the wac.
It's got to be a 16 team playoff

Dog | 11:46 a.m. Nov. 29, 2008

What happened to the NCAA is the same thing that happened to the greedy crazy Walmart shoppers who trampled and killed that part time employee.

Me, me, me, give me, give me, give me--and get out of my way--I want...end of discussion!

16 | 12:02 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Alabama
Texas
Oklahoma
Florida
USC
Utah
Texas Tech
Penn St.
Boise St.
Ohio St.
Georgia
Oklahoma St.
Missouri
TCU
Ball St.
Cincinati

This group represents the top 16 teams as ranked by the BCS.

2 thoughts:

No matter who picks or who gets picked, someone gets left out.

Anything would be better than what we have now.

Cali Coug | 12:13 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Send BSU to the BCS and be done with it!!

Wisdom should prevail | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

When BYU beat Michigan in ancient history the national press pouted, whined, some even howled. Twenty-five years later nothing has changed. Utah and BYU still mid-majors. No matter winning records, still no real, I mean real, respect.

At least in olden days, Utah might be playing for national championship.

Solution? Strengthen the conference. Drop the deadwood. Only the strong survive.

The MWC was formed by dropping some of the deadwood. It's time to do it again.

Solution: Wisdom/judgment says cull out the deadwood again. Add Boise State and a couple of other natural, profitable, strong nearby rivalries. Get creative, think, sharpen the pencils.

Ever been to a football game at Boise State? Easy freeway drive. Magnificent capital city. Beautiful modern airport. Major airlines and direct flights from SLC and across the country. Great stadium and athletic facilities. Indoor football facility a mirror image of BYUs.

BSU has full women's and men's programs,competetive in each. The last time BYU BB ventured into Boise they lost to the Broncos and Dick Harmon changed the subject and sour-graped it bigtime, moaning about Boise State's new BCS money pressbox.

Swallow some pride, drop the deadwood, invite new blood. Beat the BCS at its game.

NCAA Idiots | 12:44 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

The NCAA people responsible for the BCS must truly be the biggest idiots of all time. A 16 team football playoff would be the biggest sporting event of the year. It would bring in double what the BCS games bring. Every fool on planet earth knows this.

The NCAA should organize a 16 team playoff today. Ignore all the bowls and set up the rules. If the BCS doesn't like it they can stay out.

If the NCAA won't do it someone else should. Call it the College Football National Championship. Invite each conference to send one team. Someone should do it just to get it started. Even if every conference sent their last place team at least it would be underway. Eventually every conference would send their 1st place team.

Maybe the MWC should start it's own post season tournament and call it the National Championship. We can invite each conference to send a team. We then declare the winner the national champion. The BCS winner would be called the popular vote champion.

BCS Hater | 1:20 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Agreed that we need to strengthen the conference. Start by dropping Wyoming and either NM or UNLV, then add Boise St and Fresno St. Boise adds a high quality opponent and Fresno adds a decent opponent and another good recruiting base.

It's either that, or BYU needs to go independent so they can strengthen their schedule themselves.

Neither are easy options, but if the BCS won't change, and there's no reason to believe it will, those are the two best options as I see them.

ron smith | 1:21 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

The Big East is a joke and should not get a bcs bid just like in 04 when #4 Utah dominated #25 Pittsburgh. I agree that the MWC needs to drop a Wyoming and pick up BSU. Its funny someone said on here that if MWC teams played in Pac 10 Big 10 or ACC conference they would never get in to the BCS. Funny Utah beat Oregon State and who was that school they upset again? Oh yeah it was USC and who else in the pac 10 can hang with Utah and BYU? good question? I know UCLA did well against BYU and Stanford did great against TCU. I guess my frustration is that in the big 10 you have one standout Ohio State Big East no one comes to mind Pac 10 you have USC point being MWC already had 3 schools high in the polls and we still get the shaft. Adding BSU would just make us a conference with 4 schools in the mix but in the end still getting the shaft. Money and Politics Maybe Obama can fix it. At least he could tell he would just like everything he's promised to get elected

FB God | 1:28 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

I think the 2 team from each conference rule is the absurd part. And the rule of forcing a non bcs conference team in, is a close 2nd. I can think of at least 4 teams from the Big12, and 4 or 5 from the SEC that would dominate schools such as Utah. Should it not be the 10 best teams that go to the BCS, rather than forcing an inferior opponent such as Utah into the big games? Furthermore, a 16 team playoff is NOT the answer! These kids are students first, and extending the season another 4-5 weeks is rediculous.

TV | 1:36 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Utah and BYU will never get respect from the rest of the country until they get decent TV coverage. How can you respect teams that you never see play. When both schools start playing decent non conference schedules from someplace other than the West Coast then they will start to get some deserved respect.

Besides Utah was very lucky this year to be undefeated. BYU was respected until thier defense disappeared and they stunk against TCU.

Neither program really acts like a top 10 program on a consistent basis. BSU's schedule is even weaker than BYU's. They might get lucky in one bowl game but they do not have consistently good play against good apponents like most top 10 teams.

Henry Drummond | 2:10 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

I find it interesting to hear people complain that some fine SEC teams will be left out of the BCS bowls while Utah gets in. I don't hear them complaining about the ACC or the Big Least having automatic bids though. Does anyone doubt that Utah, TCU, or BYU could beat any team in those two conferences?

Let's get a playoff system for crying out loud.

Oh my. | 2:17 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

My goodness TV, what a silly comment. Boise State wasn't lucky in the Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos beat a good Oklahoma team. Also, never, never forget Boise is alltime 13-0 against the MWC, and 5-0 against Utah and BYU.

When are the Wasatch Front folks going to get a grip and realize that BYU doesn't get respect or any love this year because they simply aren't good this year, and it has nothing to do with the ridiculous MT Ielevision Network.

Perhaps the lack of national television coverage is a blessing in disguise as ESPN or the other networks would be analyzing how really bad the Cougars played this year. They beat winless Washington and its weak sister UCLA. I love BYU and Utah, but I'm realistic enough to admit my Cougars aren't the world beaters this year that some hopelessly loyal fans think they are.

As to Boise State, until TCU or Utah or BYU or somebody in the MWC can beat them once, let alone on a regular basis, the Bronco own the MCW.

No more Gary Crowton excuses, please. At least Kyle Whittingham had the integrity to say "They drilled us" after getting drilled by BSU.

SOS | 2:17 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Mr Mike Johnson Fallon NV;
You're analysis of strength of schedule is very faulty. All year MWC fans on this board have mocked the ACC who admittedly is having a terrible year but even with a terrible year SOS comparisons to MWC are striking.
I will list ACC and MWC teams ranked according to Sagarin Strength of Schedule:

1-Virginia
2-Duke
3-Wake Forest
4-NC State
9-Miami
11-Va Tech
13-N.Carolina
15-Clemson
36-Maryland
39-Boston College
42-Ga.Tech
50-FloridaSt
54-New Mexico
59-Colorado St
64-San Diego St
72-UNLV
73-Wyoming
74-Utah
80-TCU
81-Air Force
91-BYU

You will notice:
Half of the ten toughest schedules were ACC teams.
EVERY ACC team had a tougher schedule than ANY MWC team.
(Actually the ACC numbers will improve after todays games, Clemson and GeorgiaTech have defeated SEC rivals and Florida St is playing as I type vs soon to be National Champ Florida)
ACC SoS is so overwhelming greater than MWC as to be literally ridiculous.
I did not compare BigEast or Pac10 (both of which I think are totally crummy) but I doubt it is mathematically possible to have a weaker strength of schedule than the MountainWest.

It is a farce to let Utah into a BCS Bowl.

Kevin in the Terrace | 2:29 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

The pac 10 does not deserve two teams in the BCS this year based upon strength of schedule. USC missed the bus when the lost to Oregon St. Both Boise St. and Utah deserve a BCS bid. The ACC and the Big east do not deserve an automatic bid this year either. This year is the worst insult to sports that I have ever seen. Why shouldnt Utah and Boise St. be able to play for the National title. I see no good reason.

Chuck | 2:40 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk....

When is someone going to do something?

Get all of the lower tier bowls together, and plan a 16 team playoff. The 15 playoff games could be "bowl" games. Invite all the teams to play December 1. Either they accept, go to the BCS, or decline and sit home, with no other bowl openings.

Let the BCS invite their bowl teams, and the 16 others play it off.

If you have a playoff, show the BCS that college football can live without them, and call the champion the undisputed champion, regardless of what the BCS does, eventually, they will want inclusion.

Utah, BSU, Hawaii have never "busted" the BCS.

They are just the designated "lap dogs", allowed to enter the clubhouse on a special "pass". They feel good that year, but have never accomplished anything. No NC, no #1 ranking. Just folded to the unjust system to keep the BCS in power. The Utes could take a stand against the BCS this year, but they won't. Not enough courage on the hill to speak out agains the system.

Now go ahead Utah, BCS says sit, roll over... now beg.... Good little puppy.

Now, go away.

I'm A Laughing Ute Fan | 2:43 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Look at all of you whiners! If you want to go to a BCS bowl do what the Utes have done twice in the last five years. Namely, play a tough schedule and win all of your game.

If you follow the Ute's example, maybe you too will be able to make it to the BCS someday. Until then, go UTES!

Most Ute fans love the current BCS system. It's too bad that BYU and Boise haven't quite figured it out yet.

Malakain | 2:48 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

to:Wisdom should prevail
"Ever been to a football game at Boise State?"

Sure, My Little Ponies playing on the Smurf turf. Mullets, a stadium and atmosphere put together in the kids department in Walmart.

BSU needs to get serious, then others will take them serious.

Re:Cougtucky | 2:49 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

What????

Boise State is better than Utah because of statistics?

BSU played SJ State, La Tech, NM State, Hawaii, USU, Idaho, (impressed yet), barely beat Nevada, beat a completely decimated Fresno. If there was a high school team willing, BSU would have put them on the schedule!

And to SOS, Sagarin is known for being east coast biased. Utah beat 3 ranked teams. They deserve to be in a bcs bowl.

I'm a laughing Ute Fan | 2:50 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

Ruff, ruff, ruff.

Bark, bark. bark, BCS bark bark.

Ruff, bark, $$, bark, ruff.

Growwwwwwlllllll, ruff.

My solution: | 2:51 p.m. Nov. 29, 2008

20 team playoff as follows:
1) The champions of each conference get an automatic entry (11 teams) and the other 9 teams get an entry based on overall records alone.
2) Seeding will be based on overall record.
3) Ties between teams with the same record will be broken by their opponents' cumulative overall records (strength of schedule), or their head-to-head result if applicable.
4) If the tie is not broken by either #2 or #3, then a decision will be made by a NCAA committee.
5) Seeds 1-12 have byes the first week.
6) Weeks (rounds) 1-4 will be played in November.
7) The next 20 teams not in the playoff will play in traditional bowl games (10) in December.
8) The final bowl game in December (or Jan 1) will be the playoff Championship game.

*Note this system would work best if 1)the conferences were realigned to have 12 conferences of 10 teams each, but that will never happen, and 2) if the regular season ended the last Saturday of October meaning a 10 or 11 game regular season as opposed to 12 (or 13 for conferences with Championship games).

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