Time to Dump the BCS : Why There Needs to Be a National Division 1 Playoff

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The Bowl Championship series, in the opinion of most fans, has become a major problem in crowning a true National Champion since it was adopted by the former Division I colleges.  What has happened is a case of the old “bait and switch.”  Let’s examine the BCS and what is really happening.

 

First, and let’s be honest, the BCS is not about crowning a National Champion.  This system is about making money, lots of money, for the sixautomatic qualifying conferences and Notre Dame (let’s not forget all those corporate sponsorships).

The system is set up that the chances of a non-AQ school making it to the BCS championship game is nigh impossible.  In fact, it’s only due to recent voting trends by coaches and writers that non-AQ schools are even in the discussion. 

 

Second, the athletic directors of AQ schools have consistently stated that they do not want to participate or support a one-and-done playoff format.  That begs the question of: Why not?  Various reasons have been given, such as it would make the season too long, interfere with class schedules, etc.  But why is it then, that every other division in college football has a playoff format?

 

I may be off-base here, but the only reason I can see is money.  The AQ schools would not make all those millions they make now with the current system.

The other argument I have heard from many an AQ conference fan is, why should their vaunted teams have to play these non-deserving mid-major schools in a playoff series, and risk possible injury to their star players, thus losing a chance at winning a national championship?

 

My answer to that argument is that’s why you play the game.  I mean, take a look at what has happened in the recent past in just the BCS.  Utah blowing out Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl and an 8-3 Pitt in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, and Boise State taking down Oklahoma in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl after blowing a 21-point lead in the second half are just three examples of why there needs to be a playoff.

Last January, TCU and Boise State were both rewarded for their play on the field with a BCS bowl.  Unfortunately, they ended playing a rubber match of the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl rather than each having a shot against a BCS AQ team.

I personally believe that TCU should have played Florida in the Sugar bowl and Boise State should have played Cincinnati in the Fiesta.  If that had been the case, and the mid-major teams won, the credibility of the BCS system would be truly tested.

Right now the mid-majors are 3-1 against the "superior" AQ conferences, with only Hawaii losing to Georgia, in BCS games.

 

What will it take to have a playoff system for Division 1 conference champions, so that all teams have a chance to be the National Champion?  It appears Congress may get involved as they investigate the BCS for anti-trust violations.  Will the NCAA decide to finally require a Division 1 playoff as is seen in all other divisions of college football?

The time has come to decide this issue, and the only logical answer is to determine it on the playing field.  A champion determined by the worthiness of teams on the field, not by a popularity contest with six computers making the final determination.

 

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