One Simple Question: Why Do Cincinnati and The Big East Get No Respect?

I've been thinking over the past season, about UC's impressive rise and their rise in the rankings and now that we have the Big East crown, all I wonder is...why?

Why all the hate?  Why all of the uprising against UC having a BCS bid?

The way I see it is this: The University Of Cincinnati has always been a "basketball school" (although not lately but, in the past. I mean, The BIG O went here).  Now, over the past few years, there has been a transformation at the school into being a "football school."  We got into the Big East, one of the better conferences out there and we've been doing great. 

Now that we are at the top, why all of the sudden are we getting attacked, saying we don't deserve it and that the Big East shouldn't get a BCS bid?  To me, it makes sense.  When you list off conferences, the Big East is in there somewhere.  So, big conference...check. 

Next, some of the better rookies have come out of the Big East in the past few years.  Examples include Steve Slaton (WVU), Ray Rice (RU), and Mike Jenkins (SF).  All three of those players have had impacts in their rookie seasons.  So, NFL caliber players...got that too.

Finally, the Big East has been in the AP top 25 poll every week this season.  So, top caliber teams...we've got them too.

Then, why do people not think that UC deserves a BCS bid?  UC is a smaller school football-wise than all of the other schools but, they are still one of the top teams in the nation.  Oh, and don't forget they used FIVE different quarterbacks this season.  If any other team did that, NOBODY would take them seriously.  But, UC shined dispite having four QB's and nobody would take them seriously.

I hope that UC does well in their bowl game.  If nothing else, it will give all the doubters and the nay-sayers a reason to shut the hell up.  And watch this...UC will win its bowl game and all the blogs will be on fire with "UC got underestimated."  I'm calling it now.