In Any Other Year: BCS Injustice Is Fast Approaching

It's interesting how things work out—or may not work out, if you're BYU, Utah, Boise State, Ball State, or TCU this year.

The BCS rules (such as they are) state that any non-BCS team in the top 12 of the BCS standings gets to take part in the glut of cash the BCS bowls control. Furthermore, any team who is in the top 16 in the BCS standings, and is also ranked ahead of any BCS league champion, gains automatic inclusion. The catch is there can only be one. 

In years past, this has only happened three times, when Utah, Boise State, and Hawaii were all included as a result of undefeated seasons and top 12 rankings. 

Five's a crowd

This year, however, things are different. Call it parity, call it good luck, or call it of the football gods, but this year there may be five teams from non-BCS conferences who alone would have made it to a big-time bowl in previous years, but will not this go-round.

As we sit today, all five of the aforementioned teams could finish in the top 16 in the standings and be ranked higher than any ACC team or Big East team. That's very unlikely to change.

And if Oregon State wins out to take the Pac-10 crown, it's likely those five teams would also be ranked higher than a Pac-10 champion Beavers team.

Despite meeting the ridiculous criteria, only one of those teams will find itself in Scottsdale, New Orleans, or Miami come the new year. 

The passing over of Boise State?

There's an even worse scenario which, if played out, will illustrate further the sheer greed of the BCS and its willingness to put money over the integrity of the game.

If the University of Utah beats BYU, it's in. If Boise State and Ohio State also then win out, the BCS will have to choose between a Boise State team that is ranked higher in the standings and an Ohio State team that's been pitiful against good teams.

I hate to break it to you, Boise: They loved you and used you in 2007, but they don't give a damn about you if the Buckeyes are available. 

Here's to chaos, controversy, and an end to this horrible, horrible hijacking of a beautiful sport.