Deseret News | Shurtleff considers probe of the BCS

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Shurtleff considers probe of the BCS

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shurtleff is grandstanding | 9:08 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Shurtleff is the most publicity hungry AG that Utah has ever had (at least in the past 30-40 years). This is just another example of a guy who thirsts for more headlines, and you gave him another one.

Cal Ute Fan | 9:20 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Utes are undefeated and had a great year. The Game was exciting and entertaining. So now what? The Utah AG wants to sue the BCS! Why not just save the money. Every year someone wants to sue the BCS because their feelings got hurt. How about just enjoy the moment until next season.

Go Shurtleff | 9:23 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

As a Democrat and fairly liberal one at that, I am not usually a Mark Shurtleff fan.

However, as a University of Utah Football fan, all I can say is go for it . . . the BCS is a monopoly, it does not represent the National Championship, it's a bunch of made-up nonsense, at best it's a sham at worst it's a lie!

You have my full support. Go Utes . . . Go Mark!

Comments continue below

Embarrassed | 9:38 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I am a big time Utes fan, but this has to be about the dumbest route to get rid of the BCS system - by being pouty, sore losers about it and launching a ridiculous state-run investigation. Good use of our tax dollars! I was wondering where to throw around our state deficit.

Waste of taxpayer money | 9:40 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Better battles worth fighting. Just grandstanding and trying to get votes.

Golden Rule | 9:43 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Remember the "Goldern rule" The one with the gold rules. The BCS is made up of the various college football conferences and the University of Notre Dame have the gold they make the rules. Why should they be required to allow MWC to share in the gold? It doesn't need to be fair it's about money. Follow the money!!

Mark O'Connor | 9:58 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

With the stench of corruption and fraud still hanging in the air from the Wall Street debacle, we now have the get a new whiff of the stink that is the BCS.

Ratman | 10:08 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Consider this solution, which wouldn't require all the court time & expense: Start a letter-writing campaign to the President asking him to issue an Executive Order suspending all federal grants issued under the Executive Branch to any institution belonging to a BCS Conference, due to their restraint of trade practices.

There would be a scramble to create a playoff system before the day was out.....

Kill the BCS Monster | 10:08 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

The BCS meets all the definition of a monopoly. It is better than it was, but it is definitely broken when the only unbeaten team is not allowed to play for the Championship. Please note, that the only unbeaten team didn't have a record like Hawaii last year, but a record that is actually better than one of the BCS Title Contenders. Florida has only beaten two currently ranked BCS teams (Alabama and Georgia). Utah has beaten three (Alabama, TCU, and BYU). Utah also beat Oregon State who beat USC, and who would've won the PAC 10 if their running back wasn't out injured during the Oregon game. Utah has no losses, while Florida has a loss to Mississippi! Yet Florida is playing for the title, and Utah had to settle for Alabama.

RE: GO Shurtleff | 10:11 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

You went to the University of Utah and are liberal? Imagine that! I didn't know you could graduate if you weren't brainwashed toward that tendency.

Huh? | 10:19 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Without the BCS the undefeated Utes play in the Las Vegas bowl at best. Count your blessings. Great season.

Posting Cowardice | 10:50 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Response to: "You went to the University of Utah and are liberal? Imagine that! I didn't know you could graduate if you weren't brainwashed toward that tendency."

This is why posting boards are so useless. People are able to make faceless comments on the boards with no repercussions to themselves. Amazing how outspoken-ness, rudeness, and what disregard for others people show when they do not have to identify themselves in any way, shape or form.

At any rate, I suggest that we wait and see what pressure the AP and fans put on the BCS this year and its aftermath. Utah is doing a great job of almost single-handedly breaking down the BCS. Busted the BCS . . . and now the first non-BCS to dominate a top BCS team to the point that people are really asking why we put up with this.

Everyone (except Florida and Oklahoma) wants to know who is the best. Even Alabama fans are wondering why Utah is not #1 right now (read the Birmingham and Alabama papers).

I agree with an earlier posting that questions whether this is the best use of taxpayers' money.

Eric Wallentine

Linus | 10:54 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

What I fear is that the BCS conspirators will invite the MWC to join and share in the plunder. The MWC will be so flattered that they will join the Gadianton Robber Band, selling their souls in the process.

The only right solution is to overthrow the alliance; then establish and protect fair competition for the honor, glory, and rewards of a National Championship, with liberty and justice FOR ALL!

TONY MARREN | 11:06 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

WE THE PEOPLE....
I'm a BYU grad but felt Utah deserved the reward of national champ status because their program cranked out a great season and culminated with beating Alabama.I propose a fund be establishe through Zions banks or Utah Community Credit Union where Utahns can donate to funding legal efforts to investigate the BCS.Money where the mouth is...count me in for a $15 donation if such a fund gets created

zCougarFan | 11:09 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

With all the other problems we're facing right now we want to spend government resources on an investigation like THIS??? Congratulations to the Utes from a sad Cougar fan on their great season and YES, the Utes were deserving of a shot at the Title game no doubt (and have a legit claim to at least a share of the title with their undefeated season), but COME ON, let's be rational about this. Yes, the BCS is a TOTAL fraud, but I think our Attorney General needs to be helping with our REAL pressing issues, the economy, our education system, etc. Just my two cents.

Congrats again to the Utes on their fantastic (national) championship season.

Dumb pro-BCS arguments: | 11:15 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

1) The BCS is better than what we had before.

Completely irrelevant to the question of creating a playoff. A D- is a better grade than an F. A grade of B+ is still a whole lot better than either.

2) A playoff system won't be perfect. You'll still have schools complaining about not getting in.

Again, a grade of B+ isn't perfect. Its still better vastly superior to the D- that is the BCS.

3) A playoff will interfere with academics.

No, it won't. The current bowl system lasts for three to four weeks, during the time schools are on winter break. The playoff would occupy that same three to four weeks. Furthermore, did the "don't interfere with academics" crowd object to extending the season to 12 games? Do those hypocrites complain about weekday games? NO. And those two things "interfere with academics" far more than a playoff system would.

@ Tony Marren | 11:15 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Read the article again. That fund has been set up.

Money Matters.... | 11:50 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

If the AG is serious, and I hope he is this time, I am not worried about the cost of overthrowing the BCS as they will ultimately be the ones paying the bill if the anti-trust suit wins.

We are talking about an estimated $28 Million Dollars in payout (per bowl game) over the past 11 years. With 4 - 5 bowl games and only 4 non-BCS teams having collected from the system, you are talking about a lot of money.

47 games x 28 Million = $1.316 Billion Dollars
4 Non BCS teams = 14 Million x 4 = 56 Million

BCS Conferences = 47 National titles
Non BCS Conferences = 0 National titles

BCS Conferences = $1.260 Billion in Revenue
Non BCS Conferences = $ 56 Million

Simple Math defines this as a Monopoly and I say the damages requested should be 1/2 the difference or just over $600 Million plus interest and lost earning potential.

Oregonian | 11:47 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Here's a simple solution. Just replace the "National Championship" title given to the winner of the BCS title game to "BCS Champion". The big boys can use their formulas to determine 1 vs 2 but then release all the polls to determine their own National Championship. The BCS champion may or may not be the AP or Coaches poll #1. It makes more bowl games count. The polls vote all season long and then after all teams play their biggest games (bowls) the Coaches poll isn't allowed to change their vote? Otherwise, why don't we be honest and list the 80+ teams each year that aren't eligible for the National Championship because of the BCS. This year could end up:
BCS Champion - Florida
AP Champion -USC
Coaches Champion - Utah

At least Utah could have a shot to be named National Champion in some poll.
For the record, I don't think Utah is the best team in the country this year, Top 5 yes. They won too many games they should have lost (OSU, TCU, UNM). The 2004 team, however, would have gotten my vote for #1 as they could have beaten anyone.

Anonymous | 11:50 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

If I was the AD at U of U I would raise a National Championship banner at the first home game next year and I would let it stand forever. Who is going to question you? The BCS? They aren't the NCAA and your (Utah's) opinion of being national champion is just as valid as the winner of FL vs OU.

I take that back, UTah'scase is even more valid than the winner because you will have zero losses. That is exactly what the BCS was supposed to do, reward the team who demonstrated that they were the best during the season. That is EXACTLY why there is no playoff according to BCS pundits, because they want the season to mean something. Well UTAHs season did mean something and they are the last and only team standing. Congrats from a die hard cougar fan. Please raise a championship banner!!!!!

Dustin | 11:52 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I am tired of hearing that the BCS is not fair, life is not fair get used to it and quit complaining, the U of U needs to look into legal action against the BCS not government agencies. and no more saying its not fair how about its not Just that life should be just but it is for sure not fair and never will be.

Anonymous | 12:43 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I'll donate.

rvalens2 | 1:07 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Only lawsuits and anti-trust investigations are going to get these BOZOS to release their grip on College Football.

Shurtleff and Hatch should both bring whatever pressure they can to make it happen. And do it as fast as possible.

Don't wait until the next undefeated BCS buster gets denied a chance to play for the title.

With our luck, it will again be Utah that gets left out.

I hope to see the day when the government slaps them up side the head and tells them to change the system to include all eligible schools or lose your Federal monies.

That will get their attention real fast.

PLEASE NOTE:
There are ways to fix this that doesn't require ending the Bowl system.

I suggest we take each conference's Champion (that's 11) and 5 at large. That would allow us to have 4 regional sites. Regional Champs would then play in the Fiesta, Rose, Orange and Sugar Bowls. The Final Four would then play for all the marbles.

Can you imagine the interest (and BIG money) this would generate for College Football? A true National Championship Playoff. Wow! I hope to see the day.

rvalens2 | 1:19 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Oops! My apologies. What I meant to say at the end of my last post was:

The regional winners would be crowned as Fiesta, Rose, Orange and Sugar Bowl Champions. Who would then meet in a Final Four to determine a National Champion.

Instead of getting only one game for their advertising dollar, the sponsors would get at least two and maybe 3.

I'm certain Tostitos, FedEx, etc. would be very interested in that possibility.

Hey Shurtleff, please don't... | 3:25 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Waste my tax dollars to worry about a stupid football game. You have got to be kidding me. Anyone who has been up to the U lately knows that new facilities, lower tuitions rates, and a new/better faculty (No.1 priority) would be a better use of this money.
Utah and Idaho teaming up to take on California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, etc. In Federal Court is the worst idea I've ever heard. Plus, the BCS passed Congress' monopoly test so get over your anti-trust claims.Put the money back in the school; because that is really what matters.

CP | 4:18 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

It's obvious that the BCS is fixed! Last year(meaning 2007-2008) BYU went undefeated and they didn't get the recognition from these people! There isn't a single school in Utah that will ever get the standings deserved! If Florida had more losses then wins they would still pull a higher rank then any University coming out of Utah would.

I SAY | 4:29 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

good for Shurtleff - The BCS is a joke. What's the worst that can happen..more of the same. But..maybe it'll help to get the MWC an automatic bid. Year in and year out the MWC is better than the Big East and ACC. Let's make the powers that be explain why them and not us!!!

Alabama Fan | 5:22 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Utah's schedule:
Michigan (3-9, worst season in history), UNLV (patsy, 2-6 record in the MWC), Utah St (cream puff), Air Force (decent, but not SEC caliber, Utah won by 7), Weber State (tied Montana for first in the manly Big Sky), Oregon State (quality win but at home), Wyoming (tied for worst in a weak league), Colorado State (.500 record in a weak league) New Mexico (2-6 record in a weak league) TCU (outplayed at home, lucky to win), San Diego State (2-10 pansy), Brigham Young (annually overrated, lost to Arizona).

Congratulate the Utes for getting up for the biggest game in its history. Congratulate the overachievers for wanting to win more than Bama did, for doing what it took to defeat a superior but deflated & injury laden foe. Just don't call them #1. National champs win multiple big games and win on the road against quality D1 programs (like Georgia, defending champ LSU, et al.)

Enjoy your minutes in the limelight Utes, but don't get carried away with yourselves. Remember you are only a MWC team.

good luck with that one | 5:53 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Maybe we could also launch investigations on big oil, big banks, Dick Cheney, insurance fraud etc. Good (futile)ideas.Where there is big $$$$$ and big power, there is NO CHANCE of pressuring change.

Mark | 6:27 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

What a freaking waist of money! When the AG has nothing more important to spend tax payers resources on then football standings, which in the end means absolutely nothing more than a puffed up chest, perhaps he needs to revisit what is really important to the state. Don't get me wrong. I love college football. I spend most saturdays August through December watching it. But this hardly raises to the level of having the AG spend state money promoting his favorite school.

Get over it, enjoy the accomplishments. Do you really want to link up with Hawaii, a school who truly proved they weren't as good as they thought they were, two years in a row.

Bigger problem, like it or not, is both Boise and Utah play in low profile markets where many don't ever see them play. Play some games in large markets against schools that have huge viewer basis, and the program will gain the respect in deserves. Until then, if no one sees them, no one will respect them for what they are. It isn't a legal issue folks.

Ed H | 6:41 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Come on Shurtleff. How about investigating some crime in our state instead? You could start with a real effort to go after the polygamists. They break the law and are an embarrassment to Utah. And as far as embarrassment goes, leave the BCS thing alone. It is a sports deal, not a crime. We didn't hire you to be the football coach.

To Alabama Fan | 6:49 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You can't marginalize Utah's Wins like that! Fact is, Utah beat 4 ranked teams. Don't forget "wyoming tied for worst in a weak league" beat the worst SEC team. What does that say about your conference??

Don't forget the Mountain west conference kicked the crap out of the PAC-10 this year.

If the Utes had done this in the PAC-10, they would be national champs (or at least go to the game). If the Utes had done this in the Big East they would have gone to the championship game.

I hope our AG takes the system DOWN this time!!!!

Hey Alabama fan | 6:54 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Utah has a win over a that SEC Cream Puff Team Alabama!

End of point !!!

Hey Alabama Fan | 6:56 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Utah's strength of schedule: 57
Alabama's strength of schedule: 63
USC's strength of schedule: 67
TCU's strength of schedule: 42

No material difference in SOS. Why do you guys get all the love? The reason: East Coast Bias & Deep South Bubbas.

Serious? | 7:03 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

People in Utah wonder why no one takes them Serious? I guess I failed to realize our economy was doing THAT MUCH better than the rest of the country! Love sports but this would be a waste of time and money!

FreeAgent | 7:05 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

While attending BYU and being from Alabama, I was never nor am I now a Utah fan, but they do have a point about the BCS system. Obviously the strength of schedule has to be one of the factors and Utah, for the most part, did not play high caliber teams. Having said that, they did beat the Tide, much to my sorrow and amazement. I don't know the answer, but understand why Utah feels they got a bum rap. The system needs to be fixed !

Ross | 7:11 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Get over it! When the BCS organized it did so to regulate who could be national champion, money goes to the BCS conferences. If you want to be national champs organize all non-BCS conferences the same way and move forward, maybe down the road the two groups can unite when you can prove non-BCS conferences can generate just as much cash as the BCS ones. Its all a matter of orginization and money.

What will work... | 7:13 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Sue the NCAA. They are the governing body for college athletics. They are the ones who have failed in their responsibility to equally protect the interests of it's members in Division 1 football.
The BCS is an outside entity determining the national champion and they serve outside interests. I guess their champion is actually the "BCS national champion" not an NCAA national champion....
A lawsuit against the NCAA will result in a quick resolution because they will not be willing to tolerate such a black eye because they cannot afford to have there credibility as a governing body taken into question in such a public forum.

Luv2Flyfish | 7:15 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Hey Baba fan, You talk about Utah's "weak" schedule. Let's look at what Bama had this year as well. Western Kentucky, a down Tennessee team which Wyoming beat AT Tennesee, Miss State, Ark State and a down Auburn team. You want to talk weak schedules, Bama had their share of weak teams too. Kudos for winning some of your big games but the 2 biggest games on your schedule, turned into losses. Utah punched Bama in the mouth in the first quarter and never looked back. Hurts to think that just maybe there might be a non BCS conference that is just as good, if not better than some of the BCS conerences doesn't it? (Big East, ACC for example)
This is obviously all about money and letting the big schools get bigger.
I have a radical idea. Keep automatic BCS bids but give them to the top 6 Conference champions. That would have given Utah and Boise State and automatic bid and left Cinn and Virg Tech out. That still gives you 4 at large bids.

Impeach Shurtleff | 7:25 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

"Its the economy, stupid!" Mark Shurtleff hasn't been front page with his polygamy social work all week so he creates a headline. If the attorneys in his office have so much free time on their hands that someone can ghost-sue the BCS in Shurtleff's name, fire some of them. Someone ought to clue Shurtleff into the state's economic crisis. Maybe he could quit dancing with President Jessop and get serious about real crime. What happened to his focus on the serious stuff? Did taxpayers fund his junket to the Sugar Bowl as a fact-finding mission? Is that what this is all about?

RE:Mark | 7:28 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

That would be a "waste" of money Mark:) Before going off on your mindless rant learn how to spell it makes your comment look silly.

This is a worthy cause that should be investigated. Millions and millions of dollars are funneled into these institutions/conferences and really there is no legit shot for the Utes to play in or be considered for a "BCS" title.

SO YES YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT. Obviously several people from Utah are too dumb to understand that over time billions and billions of dollars will be funneled into these already rich conferences. Why not try to get the money into the non-BCS conferences. Oh we don't need more money in our colleges? Great answer dimwits.

THE BCS is about as monopoly as you can get and if it means we get less based on some skewed system then Mark go for it. It would be sweet to take these losers down!!!

In the Old West | 7:29 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

We used to confront opponents directly - not through white shirt and tie proxies. Challenge the upcoming "National Champion" to a football game - anytime, anywhere.

Sue, Sue, Sue | 7:38 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Wasn't this the solution offered by BYU's AD, Val Hale, and coach Gary Crowton when the BCS wasn't going to let BYU play for the national title a few years ago?

ME | 7:46 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Dude, quit pandering. You won your election!

Chicago BYU Fan | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

All this BCS talk is quite amusing when we talk about conference affiliation. Think about it, the same two or three teams from each conference rotate being in the BCS games every year. The BCS is for them "fat" teams to remain "fat" while the rest of the teams (in the BCS conferences) reap the rewards of the big money. That's why it's an up hill battle. Why complain if you're Arizona or Kentucky, you still get paid for being mediocre.

Therefore, why can't the NCAA control who is the National Champion rather than a few power hungry conferences that got their feelings hurt by BYU winning the National Championship.

Hey if Shurtleff has what it takes...Do it, be a hero for college football...

Why have a playoff? | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

At the end of the season the school with the best record is the national champions. The bowl games are just played to make money. They don't mean anything. Utah beat Alabama. Utah they say we're #1. Last night Texas best Ohio. Texas they say we're #1 Who's next to say we're #1.
If you go all season with 12-0 record than you can say you are #1.
How did the NCAA have a NC before BCS.

NACC Champions not BCS Champions

This is curious | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You know the Bama Fan has a point and by having a point has made the strongest case for a national playoff. What better way is there to have these so called Top Caliber teams get up for these games than to make it worth something. The lower ranked team ALWAYS has more to play for. Well if there were a reason to win so that I can move to the next level, ... Let the championship be decided on the field with EVERYONE having motivation to move up. Is anyone complaining that the colts weren't up for the game they lost. Lets take away both Bama's and the Cougs excuses.

re: Linus 10:54pm | 8:04 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Hey, I want the MWC in the BCS....maybe then I can see my team play on TV without buying the $$$+ package!

Steve | 8:05 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I totally concur and add that granting Notre Dame a privileged spot is outlandish. They haven't had a great team for years! They can't even win their conference. What's more, even when they used to win--back in the 60s and 70s--it was only because they had a weak schedule and didn't play any tough opponents.

Every conference champion needs to have an honest crack at the title of "Best of the Rest" or DO AWAY WITH THE BCS.

duh | 8:05 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

All 11 conferences agreed to the post-season deal? What a lame excuse. Of course the non-BCS teams agreed; they had been clamoring for inclusion, and the self-proclaimed 'power conferences' tossed them a bone to shut them up. Doing that was enough to keep congress out of it, and weaken--but not eliminating--the claim of inaccessibility. If the have-nots wanted any chance at a piece of the pie, they had to take what was given, and hope it would lead to better. That doesn't mean they think the system is equitable or like it. It just means it was the best they could get at the time.

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