Reader comments
Dick Harmon: Hatch leads hearings on BCS fairness

Anonymous | 4:16 a.m. July 8, 2009

With all of the problems facing our nation, is this really something we want to deal with at this time. Please Mr. Hatch get back to the important issues that affect all Americans.

Legal Beagle | 4:55 a.m. July 8, 2009

This was choice: "Perlman told the panel that college football history with a BCS school such as Nebraska dictates it be given greater rewards each season because of the amount of endowment, booster interest and national resume it has acquired over time. Ditto for the other BCS schools."

What national resume has been acquired over time by the likes of South Florida, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Baylor, Iowa State, Duke, and the countless other bottom-feeders in BCS conferences? THe Big East is a prime example to refute Perlman. Certainly they have no long-term record of national success in football, with the exception of West Virginia. Yet even the bottom-feeders in BCS conferences can compete for the "national championship" simply by virtue of belonging to a favored conference. No resume, no endowment, no fan following, just membership. That is by definition, an exclusionary cartel. Maybe Perlman forgot that Utah played and defeated 4 teams in the Top 20 last year including the SEC #2 team. Young should have countered Perlman by saying, "If you want to compete for national championships, you should try winning all your games like we've done twice in 4 years."

Eugene | 5:34 a.m. July 8, 2009

I watched the hearing and was very pleased with President Young and the MWC attorney. I was equally displeased with the arrogance of President Perlman and the BCS attorney.

I was disappointed that Senator Hatch was the only Senator of the committee in the room. Chairman Kohl opened the hearing, then passed the gavel to Hatch to conduct, THEN GOT UP AND LEFT THE ROOM!

Cheers for Hatch and the BCS Busters!!

Jeers for the BCS elitists and all of the missing Senators!!

Comments continue below

Dear BYU | 5:48 a.m. July 8, 2009

Dear BYU,

How can you expect to go to a BCS game when you can't even beat Arizona in the LV Bowl?

Signed,

Common Sense

P.S. Before my fellow BYU fans start bashing me, remember: we have a two game losing streak. We lost bad to Utah, we lost to some High School team in the LV Bowl, we embarrassed ourselves with the "quest", and now we have 4 more tough games before we will get a win vs USU. But hey, we still have 1984, and we have new grass, and we get to play in a really expensive stadium the first game of the year. Now there is the silver lining.

Scott | 5:52 a.m. July 8, 2009

What a total waste of taxpayer money.... Doesn't Hatch have anything more urgent or important to spend his time on?

I am a republican all my life, a Ute fan too, but, this is an inexcusable waste, especialy with so many domestic and international issues of grave concern.

Hatch should be ashamed of how he is wasting taxpayer dollars on something totally frivolous.

This certainly makes him look like a light-weight in comparison to the vast majority of Senators.

Ute Fan in MS | 6:09 a.m. July 8, 2009

Nebraska won't play Utah, like they use to Utah State, because they know they would get their lunch handed to them. Utah has nothing to gain from playing the bottom feeders of the Big 12. Hope some Corn Huskers are reading this. They can't even field a good team these days with all the BSC money that is handed them. Just ask Alabama, if you think I have my facts wrong.

Carl | 6:12 a.m. July 8, 2009

This may be Senator Hatch's finest moment! To waste time and effort on something this foolish--whilst Rome burns. He is truly one of the boobs of the Senate. We have some of the most pressing issues of our time bearing down on us with the liberal onslaught of taxes and energy, of deficits and nationalization of our industries and Hatch is worried about football games. Give me a break!

TheKey | 6:39 a.m. July 8, 2009

Orrin Hatch and most of our Senators and Reps are totally out of touch with the American people. Does this senile old man really believe that CONGRESS should be putting their snouts into college football!?! It's bad enough their snouts are at the trough. Do something PRODUCTIVE for the American people you do nothing, pork barrel, trough feeder.

Coach | 7:28 a.m. July 8, 2009

Winners Win, Losers Whine!

re: Dear BYU | 7:45 a.m. July 8, 2009

Sorry Ute fan. No one believes you.

What a worthless post.

Re: Common Sense(less) | 7:49 a.m. July 8, 2009

Fellow cougar fans? Nice try you pathetic ute troll. Maybe I'll start all my posts with "my fellow yewts" to add insult to injury. BYU got beat by Utah and TCU because they were better teams. BYU was a better team than AZ but they were playing in Vegas for the fourth year in a row, they didn't want to be there, they were underprepared and they played with no heart. Whereas AZ was in it's first bowl game in several years and played like it was the superbowl and the game was still close. Don't kid yourself into thinking that BYU wasn't capable of beating AZ last year.

The fact that you say BYU has four tough games to start the season only proves your ewetness. OK and Florida State will likely be ranked teams and will be tough games but Tulane? They were 2-10 last year, and BYU hasn't lost to CSU in several years. Worst case scenario BYU would be 2-2 after their first four games heading into another beat down of USU in Provo.

Dear Carl | 7:50 a.m. July 8, 2009

We will play football until they turn the lights out! Even 9-11 only delayed the game 1 week...

There will always be the game to give us a healthy diversion from the problems and challeges which will always be with us.

You are missing the pont | 8:00 a.m. July 8, 2009

Hatch is running for reelection. He is an old man. He does not have enough brain power left to deal with the big issues. He does not know how to deal with them. Now that Kennedy is not holding his hand anymore he is nonfunctioning. I do agree that Utah and several other schools should have a chance at the championship. BYU has been a nonstarter for the last few years as far as being eligible. bYU is going to have their head handed to them this year at least twice so this really isn't about the Y.

RE: Dear BYU | 8:07 a.m. July 8, 2009

The USU game will be tougher than you think. It is that kind of attitude that will allow the Aggies to come into Provo and steal a win! GO AGGIES!!!

Believe it or not | 8:19 a.m. July 8, 2009

As huge fan of a couple of BCS teams, their fans also want a playoff. Do you think USC fans who's team only had one loss all year doesn't want a playoff when both Oklahoma and Florida who did play for the title both ahd a loss. Auburn who went undefeated a couple years ago was locked out of a chance for a title. Their are many BCS teams with great end of season records who also have no chance of a national title. How does a one loss Oklahoma and a one loss Florida get into the finals when a one loss USC doesn't. Let alone an undefeated Utah. Its not just non BCS teams that want a playoff.

not important? | 8:22 a.m. July 8, 2009

For those who think the senator should focus on more important issues let me remind you that college football is a billion dollar business that has more to do with just the games on the field. If there are anti-trust violations you better believe the government will intervene.

The truth | 8:24 a.m. July 8, 2009

At least Utah and Orrin Hatch have the guts to try. Everyone complains all year how the BCS has to change, then these guys try to change the BCS and people get on here and rip them for trying. You non sports fans would never understand. If you are complaining about Orrin Hatch wasting his time, your not a football fan and shouldn't even comment.

BCS: A Foolish Tradition! | 8:49 a.m. July 8, 2009

The BCS has been more fair than in the past since they came up with a national championship game. This allowed them to justify allowing teams on the bottom of the food chain (non-BSC teams) a chance to play in one of their less prestigious bowl games (Fiesta and Sugar Bowls). In their minds this is fairness but in reality it only made things a little more fair for underdogs. Its as if they are controlling "Board Walk and Park Place" while giving non-BCS schools only a chance at a small portion of their monopoly (no chance at a national championship).

Retribution | 9:00 a.m. July 8, 2009

Unless Hatch can facilitate a change, don't expect any teams from Utah getting an invitation to a BCS bowl in the foreseeable future.

Senator | 9:01 a.m. July 8, 2009

Thank you Senator Hatch for standing up to the BCS and the monopoly they have created. I think this was your finest hour and will support your re election 100%. For all the winners and complainers you can go back to your global winning, I mean warming rants.

econ / law guy | 9:01 a.m. July 8, 2009

I don't think brett made sound legal arguments against the bus at all. Organized leagues do not necessarily an illegal
Cartel make. Following the logical progression hatch and brett advance, should not the ftc investigate the nba, mlb or nfl for similarly violating antitrust laws? In my mind, there is still a significant disconnect here whereby hatch and co, despite their theatric conclusory statements, fail to prove that the bcs is the type of so-called anticompetitive behavior the sherman act prohibits. Would an bona fide antitrust lawyer without an agenda please elaborate?

Anonymous | 9:22 a.m. July 8, 2009

We hate nanny federal government. People shouldn't need government protecting them. The free market works. This is the line if Utahans think they are being asked to protect public land.

If its football; Orin The BCS isn't being fair! Would you get nanny government involved to make it better?

If only Orin cared as much about the fairness of media consolidation.

No canyon is deeper than the hypocrisy that runs through Utah.

Is this what Senators do? | 9:23 a.m. July 8, 2009

Doesn't Senator Orrin Hatch have more important things to do in Washington DC? I mean we have a president who has already taken over major parts of the automobile and financial industries and now wants to take over health care. Our economy is as bad as the late 70s and getting worse with more & more outrageous spending. I truly believe that Senator Hatch needs to spend more time defending American principles than American sports. BTW, I'm a big sports fan- GO Cougars!

badlandscougar | 9:43 a.m. July 8, 2009

good work senator hatch!!!!whoever believes that the bcs system is fair would sell anything to get what they want....money,vanity,praise of the world...senator hatch has the moral backbone to stand for the right.

Anonymous | 9:43 a.m. July 8, 2009

every fan should want a playoff. Im from Texas and would love to see a 8 team playoff. Im not a utah or BYU fan but a live long die hard Texas fan. Its better to leave out teams 9 and 10 then leave out teams 3-8. MWC teams wouldn't win a championship but it would be interesting to see what would happen if they had to play 2 or 3 top 10 teams in a row. In a playoff the top 2 ranked teams would only play half the time. It would amazing to see a playoff.

I think people have to remember that the MWC and the other conferences had to sign off on the BCS. They didn't have to sign it.

No problemo... | 9:51 a.m. July 8, 2009

Utah will gladly accept an invitation to join the Big XII and subsequently play "Nebraska's schedule".

Okay Chancellor...we're waiting for that invite...

Re:Retribution | 10:05 a.m. July 8, 2009

Utah was invited last year, what are you talking about, why wouldn't they get invited again even if nothing changes in the BCS system.

Red State | 10:16 a.m. July 8, 2009

I WANT Hatch and other senators focusing on this instead of "fixing" our country. Anything to postpone them from the continual raiding of those of us who work for a living to lavish benefits on the lazy who refuse to work.

And to "Coach" - Utah DID win - they blew 'Bama out of the water. What else do you want them to do? All of the "experts" said the Utes would finally be shown how weak they really were in the Sugar Bowl. Hmmm, they KILLED an over-rated team in front of a national audience.

Utah deserved a share of #1 last year - and THAT'S coming from a REAL COACH.

Oh Please | 10:47 a.m. July 8, 2009

GREAT STATESMEN OF HISTORY . . .
Washington built a nation.
FDR defeated fascism.
JFK went to the moon.
Hatch held Senate hearings on football.

@Dear BYU | 10:55 a.m. July 8, 2009

Go back to bed, get some sleep and then you may make sense.

All You Hatch Haters... | 10:55 a.m. July 8, 2009

First point, focusing your time and attention to fixing the economy won't do anything to help it. The economy just needs time to sort itself out. Less government intervention = the faster our economy rebounds. Second point, who said Hatch is wasting taxpayer money? Doesn't more money from BCS profits mean less taxpayer money needed to fund the school? Hatch is earning his paycheck while all the other senators were playing golf! That's the type of senator I want in Washington, one who is pushing the issues close to home.

There will always be bigger issues to address and work out. That doesn't mean the smaller issues should get pushed aside.

BOOBS 6:12 AM | 11:31 a.m. July 8, 2009

The BCS represents a logical outcome of EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN RE-PUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE CAPITALISM.

A few hold all the wealth.

He who has the gold makes all the rules.

Anonymous | 12:39 p.m. July 8, 2009

If Hatch has nothing better to do than this, HE MUST BE VOTED OUT!

Stop wasting taxpayer money on such a frivilous argument!

Proud of Hatch | 12:59 p.m. July 8, 2009

I'm proud that our senator is willing to risk political capital in addressing this issue.

Antitrust violations are not "frivilous", not "irrelivant", not "unimportant". If it were any other industry than sports you'd be screaming bloody murder.

Mark in Seattle | 1:50 p.m. July 8, 2009

First, to those of you who think Hatch is wasting time and money, as a minority member of the Senate (and now one who has no ability to impede legislation), Hatch does NOT have the authority to call these hearings. Therefore, it is the Democrats who are wasting taxpayer money by allowing the hearings to proceed.

Second, even if this is a waste of money, it is a piddly amount when compared to the absurd expeditures of the current administration. If you are so concerned about government waste, write your Congressmen and tell them to stop spending us into oblivion.

Third, while I am no legal expert, if this is, in fact, a violation of US antitrust laws, then it is the duty of those sworn to uphold the law to prosecute the case in federal court. And the federal government fails to act (as it has), then a Congressional investigation is indeed appropriate.

What games has he been watching? | 2:38 p.m. July 8, 2009

Wake up call to Perlman:

Utah, BYU, or TCU would easily have beaten the Nebraska team of last year.

Nebraska isn't doing anything to save the BCS. They are a team of the past. In fact, the only thing saving Nebraska's reputation is the BCS.

If Nebraska loses to a BCS team, no big deal, but there are many teams outside the BCS capable of beating the Nebraska that I've seen the last few years.

BigSky | 3:29 p.m. July 8, 2009

To those who criticize Hatch for wasting his time on this issue when there are so many more important things for him worry about...

Please understand that the world is multifaceted and an issues such as BCS anti-trust behaviours should not be ignored just becuase you think so. Your logic and narrow-minded view is incredibly frustrating.

I'm very much concerned with the state of the world, the economy, Iran, North Korea, medically uninsured, illegal immigrants, jobless rate, AND the illegal, monopolistic, anti-trust, unfair, and arrogant institution known as the BCS.

I applaud Senator Hatch for taking this on, in addition to all the other great work he is doing.

THEeyepatch | 3:46 p.m. July 8, 2009

In '84, BYU played a Michigan team that was 6-5 or something like that. The Utes destroyed a 'Bama team that was supposed to come to the game a win, maybe take a nap at halftime. With all the problems that this country has right the BCS now doesn't seem plausible, but make it right. We have some great teams here in UTAH. To make a monopoly for a National Championship where only the East Coast has all the cards is disgraceful. Urban Meyer may have stayed if he knew he could win a N.C. here in Utah. By the way, why was Michigan in that game against BYU anyway. Sorry I forgot, their MICHIGAN, who CARES!!

Can't believe it..... | 4:50 p.m. July 8, 2009

I can't believe that Dick Harmon wrote an article about the UTES!!! I never thought I would see the day that Mr Harmon would be concerned about the Utes.

Way to go Dick!!!

RE: THEeyepatch | 6:09 p.m. July 8, 2009

That michgan team , if I remember, finshed 2nd the next season,

so I guess they were pretty good by the end of the '84 season, when BYU played them.

gretkzy | 7:21 p.m. July 8, 2009

legal beagle is spot on! if you don't allow ALL conferences to be in a playoff then the likes of Utah and the rest of the MWC, WAC, sunbelt etc will never get a foothold on recruiting, revenues etc to equally available to all these schools. it's time to take down the Big12 and SEC....

@ 6:09 p.m. | 7:43 p.m. July 8, 2009

The '07 Michigan team finished 2nd in the Big 10 and defeated Florida in the Capital One Bowl. The Utes beat them their very next game -- their season opener in 2008. Does that mean anything?

BTW: that '84 tdS team provided UTEP (1-10) their only win of the season the following year.

So I guess the '84 team was really an NC pretender.

It all comes together.... | 11:52 p.m. July 8, 2009

Yes, Utah has been the only team from Utah to go to a BCS bowl game, and they won quite fashonably. When BYU won the NC in '84, that caused people to start thinking, and helped lead to the Bowl Alliance, then the BCS. BYU also was 12-0 in 2001, and they were told that they were removed from consideration for a BCS bowl BEFORE they even PLAYED Hawaii.

It IS an unfair monopoly, and I applaud Sen. hatch in his efforts, whether it's to help him gain favor for his reelection, or he's doing it to represent not only the State of Utah, but every one else who is too spineless to do anything.

Mark in Seattle | 2:20 a.m. July 9, 2009

College football still remains the only NCAA sport in which, before the season even begins, there are Division 1 teams with ABSOLUTELY ZERO chance to win the national championship even if they go undefeated. Boise State was one of those teams a few years ago, and Utah last year might be one as well.

And that is why there is no such thing as an NCAA champion in football; there is only a BC$ champion.

Opportunity is American | 10:29 a.m. July 9, 2009

Opportunity is American. Hand-outs are not American. Monopolies are not American. In my America, hard honest work is rewarded at the very least with opportunities.

I say let each conference champion prove themselves as national champion on the field before they call themselves national champion.

Some bitter person posted a comment about the BCS being "a logical outcome of EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE CAPITALISM." Wake up! WAKE UP! The BSC is a manipulation of wealth that comes straight out of the Demo-god's playbook under the plays known as "redistribution of wealth" outside the marketplace.

America was founded (correctly) on Jewish/Christian traditions and values. Most, if not all, of our problems in America stem from not following these time-tested traditions and values. Imagine an America where people didn't have sex outside of marriage...AIDS wouldn't be a problem, no teenage drop-out mothers, poverty would be small, children would be raised better, etc...Oh wait, that would require selfish womanizers (Clinton, etc.) to keep their pants zipped. Not to mention, Hollywood has glamorized promiscuity, public education has given up its morals, and homes are bombarded with media teaching the benefits of immorality.

re: All You Hatch Haters... | 4:07 p.m. July 9, 2009

I couldn't agree more, and I am not from Utah. Go Hatch!

Re: Dear BYU | 11:55 p.m. July 9, 2009

Hey Ute fan... the Utes had a good season. And keep throwing that BCS bowl stuff in our face. Good for you... a BCS bowl... that's what it was. But... IT WAS NOT A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP! You are Sugar Bowl champs, and that's it. If you really thought you were worthy of a National Championship you should have played in the Vegas Bowl and invited the highest ranked team (florida or oklahoma) to play you in the Vegas bowl for a real national championship. If you survived a game like that and the team that did not play you... then you would have a claim to the national championship. But, you Ute fans keep saying what a great accomplishment a BCS bowl is... now live with your BCS Sugar Bowl championship. You can't have it both ways. You played the BCS bowl game for money... not a national championship.

Re: Dear BYU | 7:01 a.m. July 10, 2009

Sorry --I don't believe you're BYU fan. Common sense and BYU fan don't go together.

SoCalUtahFan

Anonymous | 7:15 a.m. July 10, 2009

College Football is an American Tradition.....not A BCS Tradition.....

Enesto de Bajo | 9:49 p.m. July 10, 2009

The BCS is accused, fairly, of at least two things:

1. Keeping the title of national champion, such as it is, reserved for a BCS school

2. Grubbing the money

Once a play-off replaces the current process of finding a "national champion", guess what, the national champion will regularly and persistently come from one of the BCS conferences. There has been a basketball tournament for a long time now, but there isn't much turnover in the conferences getting to the later rounds.

I think that the BCS folks know quite well that a playoff won't really dislodge a BCS school from the top spot very often.

What they are really defending is the perch atop the pile of money.

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