Corey, I don't have a problem with them being in the BCS mix except when you figure in the the caliber of the rest of their conference. I don't believe they get tested year in and year out like the Pac10, Big10, SEC, Big 12. ND overcomes this by essentially playing a conference schedule even though they are not in a conference. With the exception of outstanding years by BSU, and Hawaii, the rest of the conference is pretty weak. When Ohio State has to play UM, PSU, Ill, Wisc, etc every year that is a much tougher row to hoe than Idaho, LaTech, New Mexico etc. I think that probably figures into the BCS question.
KP, I'm with you. Of course, we'd have a lot more answers to these questions if more of our 'heavyweights' would stop playing 1AA schools. We have a MAJOR scheduling problem in college football. There comes a point in time in which those 'up and comers' like Boise get good enough that teams don't want to pay them to come to their place anymore and worse yet, those 'big boys' will NEVER go play on the blue rug.... So the big boys can sit back on their throne and talk about how they are so much better...the reality is, that isn't the case so much anymore. I agree about the less than teams... but one reason they struggle is that they've been marginalized by the system they played in. They are Division 1 bowl division without REALLY being division 1 bowl division. Its like telling someone they can eat in your restaurant but they have to sit over at those tables "over there. "
Corey, You're right, of course if you play Hawaii, then you have to take some crap because you're not scheduling Ohio State or So. Cal or someone like that. Hell, I've got LSU fans giving me a hard time because Alabama is playing Clemson on neutral ground instead of a home and home! Oh yeah and I picked up the SI today. Saw it at the Walmart and I couldn't resist.
I've been for a playoff for years, or an immediate return to the bowl system. Assuming we don't go back to the old system, obviously, I'd want a playoff. It appears that neither will happen anytime soon. So the quick answer, to me, is to remove the 'BCS conference' designation. You are either Division 1 bowl division, or you are not. The NCAA allows the lunatics to run the asylum so we're left with an entity in which those who stand to gain the most are allowed to make the rules. There clearly is not an equal playing field. The scholarship restrictions went a long way in the right direction. We now need to go a step further and remove the separate drinking fountains of college football. Furthermore, if terms of SOS, I would hit any team scheduling a playoff sub-division opponent with a negative rankings mark... or make it part of the BCS tie-breaking components.. 2 teams with identical records are up for NC consideration... which one played more Division 1 competition?? This crack pot system we have now, especially in the whacked eyes of public opinion, is that scheduling App State is the same as scheduling Utah, Nevada or Boise State...and that's just nonsense. Also, I am a HUGE fan of the way English (and many European soccer/futbol/football leagues) do things. They have relegation. If schools like Hawaii refuse to build facilities and they refuse to pour their tax dollars back into the school, then they go down... If a program is building great, new facilities and recruiting aggressively then they can move up. No petitions, or BCS-style star chambers... NCAA controlled committees with set guidelines as to what qualifies those who risk going down and what one has to do to earn division 1 bowl division status. Obviously, my ideas would be considered crazy... but they work and would work... since they won't do the easy thing and have a playoff.
re ulca quaterback... according to the interview after the game during half time Rick N Told him that during his first game he had thrown 4 interceptions .. and the qb sd he felyt at ease then and he could go out and get the job done. He said he wasnt as nervous....... D GO IRISH
Corey, I have to think about your proposal. At first blush it seems to be more of the same. Have you seen the attendance at the games at Hawaii. They get more people at a Decatur high school game. Aren't you relegating them to 2nd tier status, which is pretty much where they are now? :?:
I was watching Rick N when the QB came to the sideline in the first half. At first he was yelling, screaming and waving his arms, like most coaches. Then after either the 3rd or 4th interception he was talking to him a lot more quiet, touched him and was obviously trying to calm him. I hope Rick N has put all his other stuff behind him because I think he can be a very good coach. He's innovative, his players seem to relate to him and I think he can do a good job. I wish him luck.