I wasn't really sure about writing this article because there are thousands out there tonight and tomorrow and really all season long, lauding or loathing the BCS [1], arguing whether or not they got it right. I will say this: I loathe the BCS and this year wasn't so bad. Florida vs. Oklahoma [2] will be a great game and the case for each team is strong enough for me to be someone content.
However, that won't change my opinion of the BCS.
College football is one of the most colorful, dynamic, and exciting games we can observe. There is great pageantry, tradition, and fanaticism. Each season, there are exciting story lines and classic games. Just when we expect this sport, like other sports, to reach its most dramatic peak, we arrive here, on a cold Sunday night in December when 10 polls combine to form the BCS bowl lineup [3] - and the other bowls wait in line for sloppy - I mean - the remaining teams. Now we wait. The proverbial season-long DVR is on pause. Teams go home, players take exams, players practice, and we, the fan, just wait.
Therefore, since all I have right now between the annual BCS buzz kill and the major college bowl games, I am going to drift off to fantasyland. Over the course of the next couple of weeks and because I am a certified football dweeb, I am going to present an alternative to the BCS - and cover them, with the help of my EA Sports NCAA Football 09 [4] (I'm not sponsored). Oh yes, I just said that and oh yes, I am lame. If you care to leave a comment that I am a loser, I've already taken care of that for you, please, as always, feel free.
So what are these alternatives to the BCS? Well, the first is what we will call the "NCT" or National Championship Tournament. Before we dive into the brackets, let's take a look at the reasoning behind the NCT as an alternate to the BCS.
The main goal of the NCT is to provide a system that:
- Produces an undisputed National Champion
- Maintains the tradition of the college
bowl games - Utilizes the current BCS rankings
- Gives equal opportunity to ALL
Bowl Subdivision Teams - Continues to emphasize the importance of
the regular season - Ensures that academics are valued
throughout bowl season
An Undisputed National Champion
Despite its best efforts, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) has failed in multiple seasons to produce an undisputed National Champion. While one team can claim to be National Champion by winning the National Championship game, the road to that game is often undefined, confusing, and unfair. Since its inception during the 1998-1999 season, only once has the BCS produced an undisputed National Champion as Texas defeated USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl. Both Texas and USC entered the championship game undefeated after going wire-to-wire as the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the nation. This, however, has been the only exception to the BCS enigma.
Using a 16-team tournament format, my system will guarantee an undisputed National Champion by allowing all teams deserving of a tournament bid to compete for the crown.
Maintaining the College Bowl Tradition
Any fan knows that bowl games are the cornerstone of college football. These games, whether it is the now defunct Oil Bowl or the "grand-daddy of them all" Rose Bowl, have provided some of sports' most historic and exciting moments. Any college football post-season scenario without bowl games is unacceptable.
That said, bowl games would remain a prominent part of the post-season under this system. Each of the 15 games included in the National Championship Tournament (NCT) will be a bowl game. The remaining 17 bowl games will also remain intact, featuring teams eligible for post-season play, but not qualified for the NCT. All traditions, television contracts, and sponsorships will remain intact with the addition of the tournament.
Utilizing the BCS Standings
Despite heavy criticism, the NCT will continue to utilize the BCS standings in their current format. While it will no longer determine who plays for the National Championship, the BCS will be used to "seed" teams in the 16-team National Championship tournament. Most importantly, the BCS will determine the five at-large bids available for the NCT.
Giving Equal Opportunity to All Bowl Subdivision Teams
During the 2006-2007 season, Boise State put BCS supporters on the ropes by defying the odds and not only reaching a BCS bowl, but winning one with a heart-stopping victory over Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos and their victory become the prime example for inclusion of all Bowl Subdivision teams in the National Championship process.
That said, the NCT provides an opportunity to the champion of all Bowl Subdivision conferences to receive a bid to the National Championship Tournament. The tournament will include 11 conference champions and 5 at-large teams for a
total of 16 teams.
Emphasizing the Regular Season
With heavy emphasis now placed on the NCT, critics will immediately draw a line of comparison to the NCAA basketball tournament and its arguably disastrous effect on the importance of the regular season. The NCT ensures that the college football regular season will remain as relevant as ever, despite the existence of the NCT. Teams will need to win their conference championship to make the tournament or maintain a strong record to receive one of the five at-large bids. In addition, teams hoping to qualify for the tournament must meet minimum win and maximum loss requirements. In addition, only 16 of the 119 Bowl Subdivision teams will make the tournament - compared to a 64-team field for the NCAA tournament.
Valuing Academics throughout the Extended Bowl Season
Critics of a tournament-style playoff system often point to interference with academics, particularly final exams, as a primary deterrent. Under the NCT, student-athletes will be accommodated by intelligent scheduling, the cooperation of bowl committees, and the utilization of modern day technology to ensure that academics are handled prior to kickoff.
There you have it. The NCT. Over the next couple of weeks, I will continue to outline this plan and provide details. I will also simulate the games to determine the TRUE champion - at least in my own little world. Stay
tuned.