Uh, Cincinnati Bearcats...Did You Watch the Alamo Bowl?

Ah, the BCS bowls.  The powers that be sure do know what they're doing.

Before Jan. 1, most argued that Cincinatti was a more deserving opponent than TCU for the Florida Gators.  Even after their coach abandoned them for his "dream job," it was still difficult for the experts to think otherwise.

Before Jan. 1, we were all convinced it was going to be a hard fought battle.  Somewhere around 9:30 pm on Jan. 1...we were all wrong.

Fast forward to Jan. 2.

Just days after the Mike Leach controversy, the Texas Tech Red Raiders put on a show against Michigan State in the Valero Alamo Bowl. 

While watching the Sugar Bowl, I kept making the excuse that this Cincinnati team just didn't have their heads in the game.  Sure, you lost your coach.  I get it.  He left you for greener pastures.  Sad.

Yet, after watching the Alamo Bowl, I couldn't help but think, "Why did Cincinnati lose?"

Brian Kelly's exit wasn't a total surprise.  We all knew that while Charlie Weis was getting his pink slip, the ink on the BK contract was drying.  We knew it.  Cincinnati knew it. 

Enter Texas Tech.

When I first heard about Mike Leach being suspended and subsequently fired, I just knew Tech didn't stand a chance.  But, lo and behold, Tech came out and played and ended up with an exciting W.

Now, by no means am I comparing the Red Raiders to the Bearcats as far as "talent" goes.  What I'm comparing is their situations.

One team has had to deal with the departure of their beloved coach for quite some time.  That distraction was a distraction before it even became official.  The other has only had hours to deal with what will be one of the biggest stories of 2010.  One team got the W and one got the embarrassing L. 

If there was ever a time for the BCS to rethink this playoff idea, it's now.  And if they still don't want to entertain the idea, then the NCAA might need to have a talk with these coaches about when they're allowed to start negotiating contracts at other schools.  

The BCS bowl games are supposed to be exciting (at least that's what I thought).  It's bad enough we have to deal with the preseason rankings.  It's even worse we're forced to deal with Honorable Mention trophies.  Now, after watching that beatdown, this BCS bowl system is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

There are simply no excuses for what happened in the Sugar Bowl.  Zero.  We could argue all day that they never stood a chance against the mighty Florida Gators.  Sure, playing against one of the best teams of all time doesn't help you out in the optimism department.  And if you still want to blame it on their coach leaving...I'll let you have that.  But they couldn't even try?

You would think that one digit number in front of your name would mean something.  But no...I guess not.

When it mattered the most, Cincinnati dropped the ball.  Had they put up even a small fight, people would have forgotten about those purple frogs down in Texas.  Now, I can only dream of what might have been. 

Are you there BCS?  It's me...a very disgruntled fan.