Spencer: Like your idea (referring to Scott J. Adams' altered Bowl Champion Series format printed in Tuesday's edition), but here's one little tweak I'd suggest. Open up the six auto bids each year to all conferences and let the top six rated conference champs get them. No more freebees to the Big East and ACC; make them earn it every year. I would much rather see Utah, obviously deserving, and even Boise State in there before Cincinnati and Va. Tech. That would also settle the complaint from the non-BCS schools about equal access. They can earn a spot just like everyone else. If that were the case this year, here would be your 8 teams:
1. Oklahoma (Big 12)
2. Florida (SEC)
3. Texas (at large)
4. Alabama (at large)
5. USC (Pac 10)
6. Penn St. (Big 10)
7. Utah (MWC)
8. Boise St (WAC)
The difference between my version and what really happened this year is a noticeable improvement. First, its two teams shorter which means less at large bids to water it down, sorry Ohio St, not your best year.
Second, as you can see, the ACC and Big East did not get in, but Boise State did. Lets be honest, did anyone watch the Orange Bowl? I didn't think so. I think these 8 teams present a pretty compelling and representative group that all had a legitimate reason to be there.
Green Phone: Dear Spencer,
Green Phone discussed your idea with Mr. Adams. Here's what he had to say:
"That's a great playoff formula you have for college football, but it might be too great.
I'm convinced the only way anyone is going to change the current system is by drafting a new one that's as easy as possible to adopt -- hence I suggested keeping the BCS automatic bids intact.
You brought some excellent points, though. The Big East and Atlantic Coast conferences have taken a step back, yes. But keep in mind how quickly the balance of power can shift in college football. Take, for instance, the Pacific-10 Conference's 5-0 record in bowls this year. That's the same body that was embarrassed by the non-BCS Mountain West Conference during the regular season. Plus, ACC champion Virginia Tech won its BCS game, stomping Big East champion Cincinnati. Last season, Big East winner West Virginia pulled off a 48-28 thumping over Oklahoma. I don't think anyone saw that coming.
I like your idea of having fewer at-large bids to water down. Do you really think Boise State deserved a BCS game over Ohio State? That's a tough sell, picking an undefeated Western Athletic Conference team over a two-loss Big Ten co-champion whose only losses were to Southern California and Penn State. I'm not saying the Buckeyes were more worthy than Boise State, but it's a toss-up. Like I said, there are always going to be snubs.
Your BCS lineup sounds much more exciting than what we ended up with this year.
As for mine, I'm only partially satisfied. I devised a system that kept out Utah, the team every sports writer and their mother is tabbing the peoples' national champion.
But I penned my formula before the BCS games took place, and hindsight is 20/20. I looked before I leapt -- just like the BCS organizers did 10 years ago."
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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