BOISE SAVES THE BCS

November 16, 2010

It is a question that has been asked all season. It was asked all summer. In fact, it has been asked every where college football is discussed since last season ended. Is this the year a non-BCS conference team plays for the national championship?

It almost happened last season. TCU was packing for Pasadena and a date with Alabama when Big 12 referees put one second back on the clock for Texas. That relegated TCU to the Fiesta Bowl and a match-up with fellow BCS party crasher Boise State. The two sides played a tight and entertaining game that Boise won 17-10. With the Broncos returning 20 starters, the debate began over whether or not BSU had built enough of a reputation to be a top five team at the start of 2010. They had.

TCU began the season ranked in the top ten and quickly climbed up right behind Boise. The Horned Frogs had 16 starters back. Plus, one of their big non-conference games would be the same Oregon State team that Boise would play. Throw in the fact that TCU plays in the tougher Mountain West Conference and TCU was once again a threat to play for the crystal football.

After TCU throttled Utah two weeks ago, it looked like if any non-BCS conference team was going to finish one or two in the polls, it would be the guys in purple. However, TCU followed up that 40 point win with a 40-35 home win over San Diego State. The vaunted TCU defense gave up more points Saturday to the Aztecs than they had surrendered in the previous six games combined. That coupled with some of TCU’s “big” wins no longer looking as impressive has allowed Boise State to close in on the number three spot in the polls.

With one game remaining against 1-9 New Mexico, the Horned Frogs are unlikely to hold off a Boise team that still plays Fresno State and #18 Nevada. That means one slip up by Auburn (either at Alabama or in the SEC Championship Game) or by Oregon (versus Arizona or at arch-rival Oregon State) and Boise stands the best chance of playing for all the marbles.

For millions sports fans out there, this sounds great. “The little guy finally gets their shot at the title. That’ll show the old boy network that runs college football and the BCS.” There in lies the mistake. It amazes me how many intelligent sports fans either don’t see the flaw in rooting for this scenario, or if they do see the flaw, they are all talk. They say they want the BCS to go away, but they root for the very scenario that will save it.

The key flaw in the current system in college football is NOT a simple “there should be a playoff, not a one game with hand picked participants.” What you are basically saying there is add more teams to your championship. That is something that traditionalists (myself included) easily shoot down because the more teams that make it, the less important regular season games become.

The argument that would carry the most weight is “every team does not have a shot at the title.” It’s a make believe championship for the winners of a few major conferences, and the rest have no chance to participate. That argument has enough steam that the government has started to take a peek as to whether or not this is legal. Hey, there’s lots of money at stake. If this is truly a rigged game for the big boys, that could be the powder keg that eventually blows up the system.

However, if Boise State (or TCU) for that matter finishes in the top two of the final BCS poll, they are not a BCS buster. They are a BCS savior. Why should the government or anyone else look into the legality of this any more? The little guy would have just proven that they do in fact have a chance to make the championship game. Getting a non-BCS conference team in the championship game does not ruin the system, it proves it works.

As a matter of fact, TCU and Boise State have been so close to playing for the national title the last two years, BCS officials could actually point to how close they got and say, “If Texas missed that field goal, TCU would have made it. It took a perfect season from two major conference teams to keep you out.” Heck, that happens to other big programs too. Ask Auburn about 2004.

Is it fun to see an underdog get a shot at the title like Rocky Balboa facing Apollo Creed? Absolutely. But, you can’t have that and complain the system is unfair at the same time.

Games of the week:

Ohio State @ Iowa –The Hawkeyes chances for the Rose Bowl and the BCS went out the window when Dan Persa completed what would turn out to be his final pass of the 2010 season. The Hawks now have two league losses and three over all. OSU’s resume was being questioned going into last week’s game with Penn State. While, the Buckeyes did turn it on the second half, it took a tipped pass TD and two pick sixes to beat the Lions. A season that began in Iowa City with so much promise is hanging by a thread. They have one last shot at a signature win. That coupled with the fact that OSU has not impressed me much this year has me taking the Hawkeyes to make this a two horse race to Pasadena between Bucky Badger and Sparty.

Nebraska @ Texas A&M – The Aggies have jump started their offense since they gave the ball to junior Ryan Tannehill. Since making the switch at QB, A&M is averaging 41 points per game and still has a shot at winning the Big 12 South. Tannehill will be tested this week against a Nebraska defense that is second in the nation in passing yards per game. Last Saturday in a 20-3 win over Kansas, Big Red allowed 87 total yards with only 15 coming thru the air. College Station is a tough place to win. Nebraska does not want to leave the Big 12 going 0-2 against the state of Texas. I think they eke out a win, but this one could go either way.

Virginia Tech @ Miami – Has anyone else noticed that the Hokies have won nine straight? I doubt it. Most people laughed them off when they fell to Boise and James Madison in a span of five days. Now, they are one win away from clinching a spot in the ACC Championship game. A loss here, and Randy Shannon will be brought up all through the off season in the “coaches on the hot seat” debate. Every one that gave him credit for some great recruiting classes will be wondering why they are still losing four games a season. Miami is athletic. It will take more than that to beat Va Tech the way they are playing. I’ll take the Hokies.