Non-BCS schools

[P-L]

Here is an article about Boise State, but it applies to all great programs not in the "big six" BCS conferences.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=dw-boise110709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

For those of you who don't feel like reading, Boise State's athletic director as put a big offer on the table. On Sep. 3, 2011 Boise State will play any "big" school in the country. They will travel to the opposing team's stadium and will not require that team to play a game in Boise at a later date. So far no schools have accepted the offer. In fact, most schools haven't even returned their calls.

For all of those people who bring up strength of schedule, how do you respond to something like this? Like I've been saying, these schools (Boise and TCU this year, Utah last year) can't play tougher schedules because all the "big boys" are too afraid to play them. How can you punish these schools for their schedule, when their hands are tied? If the SEC or Big XII teams don't think that the "smaller" schools belong, then they need to actually play those teams and beat them.

As long as the BCS rewards teams for playing Charleston Southern or Louisiana-Monroe, these big schools have no incentive to give a school like Boise or TCU a fair shot. Can you really claim to be the best team in the nation when you are afraid to play another school? Boise just made an incredible offer. Now it's time for some school to grow some balls and accept it.

[bhaarat316]

ahhahaha, Boise State asking if someone has the balls to play, and no one calls back.

This just shows BCS/BSC is not the only broken system, coaches and AD complain about the system, but they like the system as well.

[Don Vito]

Maybe Florida and Texas don’t need a game with Boise (they can ride non-conference cupcakes to the title game). A middle of the pack Big Ten or Big 12 team certainly does though. Boise’s program is more famous than all of them – the Broncos are on true national television seven times this season alone.


I want Florida or Texas to say **** it and play Boise then absolutely steamroll them to the point where Boise never wants to leave Idaho to play football. Or they could just adopt a playoff system so there is no speculation as to who deserves it and who doesn't. I loved Boise beating OU but I'm not going to lie, I want to see those top 25 non BCS teams get smoked now.

[SuperKevin]

I want Florida or Texas to say **** it and play Boise then absolutely steamroll them to the point where Boise never wants to leave Idaho to play football. Or they could just adopt a playoff system so there is no speculation as to who deserves it and who doesn't. I loved Boise beating OU but I'm not going to lie, I want to see those top 15 non BCS teams get smoked now.

I agree with this.

[bhaarat316]

I want Florida or Texas to say **** it and play Boise then absolutely steamroll them to the point where Boise never wants to leave Idaho to play football. Or they could just adopt a playoff system so there is no speculation as to who deserves it and who doesn't. I loved Boise beating OU but I'm not going to lie, I want to see those top 25 non BCS teams get smoked now.

why now? What if Boise state doesn't get stem rolled does it make Florida look like ****?

[Don Vito]

why now? What if Boise state doesn't get stem rolled does it make Florida look like ****?

That is pretty self explanatory, if they hold their own or even win then maybe they really do belong. I want to see them beat a big time SEC or Big 12 team when it counts. They beat OU when OU really had nothing to play for, I know they had much more talent then Boise but that was Boise's Super Bowl and Oklahoma probably was thinking more along the lines of "this isn't the National Championship, why are we here?". That is pretty much how I feel about Utah's spanking of Bama, granted it was a thorough beating but it is pretty clear Bama was thinking National Championship all season then they lost one game and got Utah. Before the SEC championship there was nothing Bama would have wanted less, whereas there was nothing Utah would have wanted more.

My point is I would like to see Boise play one of the big boys of college football when it counts. If it doesn't look like the first quarter of Permian and Dallas Carter in Friday Night Lights then we will talk about Boise with the big time programs. You have to always remember that these BCS programs have big games throughout the season, these non BCS teams mark their calenders for when they play a BCS conference team. Throw Boise in a BCS conference and see how they last throughout the course of a season, I'm sure that would change the way teams prepare for them.

[jnew76]

As a Missouri fan, I hope the only call our AD is making is to see if Petersen or Patterson would like to be our next coach.

I think Utah, Boise St., TCU, Houston, Tulsa, and BYU need to form their own football only conference with a few other select schools. I honestly think they have the makings of a "Power" conference that could score a decent TV deal and level the playing field a little in terms of revenue from television.

As for the "Big Time" programs, I doubt any of those AD's decide to make that call. Especially after seeing Oregon get dominated in Boise like they were. Utah and Boise have proven they can play with anyone in the country year in and year out on the biggest stages. I think the only alternative those teams have is to come together and play each other every year where the winner of the conference has a SOS that is so good they cannot be overlooked by the computers.

Doubt it will ever happen, but if the Pac-10 were to go to 2 divisions and add teams I think Utah and Boise St. are the obvious choices... Maybe Fresno St., but that scenario seems even less likely.

[SuperKevin]

I don't think their respective conferences would let them leave for football only.

[bhaarat316]

In the regular season it counts, yet no one wants to play them.

They are limited in what they can do, its pretty much set in stone, if you are a mid major, you'll always remain a mid major.

[JeffSamardzijaIRISH]

They beat OU when OU really had nothing to play for, I know they had much more talent then Boise but that was Boise's Super Bowl and Oklahoma probably was thinking more along the lines of "this isn't the National Championship, why are we here?".

Though OU wasn't playing in the National Championship, it was still a BCS bowl. And players don't care if they're playing in the National Championship or are battling for their first win, that's all they want. I'd assume from your comments that you've never played sports before, but as a competitor, a player, no one has that kind of mentality unless they've quit on their coach/season. That is a very poor excuse for why OU lost, why Alabama got destroyed. If I'm not mistaken, the bowl game is pretty much the biggest game on anyone's schedule, especially if it's a BCS bowl.

[SuperKevin]

If these schools want to start getting BCS conference invites then they need to improve their level of play in other sports besides football

[tjsunstein]

I respect what they're trying to do but I don't see any top progams like Florida, Texas, USC calling them back any time soon. Maybe a middle of the pack team that needs it on their schedule.

[jnew76]

In the regular season it counts, yet no one wants to play them.

They are limited in what they can do, its pretty much set in stone, if you are a mid major, you'll always remain a mid major.

Not necessarily, Virginia Tech was a member of the Metro Conference until 1991... Cincinnati and Louisville were just recently brought into the Big East from conference USA. Miami and Florida St. were Independents less than 20 years ago.

[Don Vito]

Though OU wasn't playing in the National Championship, it was still a BCS bowl. And players don't care if they're playing in the National Championship or are battling for their first win, that's all they want. I'd assume from your comments that you've never played sports before, but as a competitor, a player, no one has that kind of mentality unless they've quit on their coach/season. That is a very poor excuse for why OU lost, why Alabama got destroyed. If I'm not mistaken, the bowl game is pretty much the biggest game on anyone's schedule, especially if it's a BCS bowl.

You are wrong to say the least, but my assumption from your comments is that you have never been a part of a prestigious program with a world of tradition who was looking at a national championship all season before losing the final game that stood in the way of reaching the NCG. Instead of playing for the title, you get a team thats program is laughable in comparison to yours when it comes to prestige and tradition. The players on OU and Bama came to those schools to be a part of programs that have had Heismans, National Championships, and All Americans scattered throughout the years.

We are all taught to always play your hardest, but the circumstances for OU and Bama were clearly different. Those games were classic tales of a big team having nothing to play for and coming out lackadaisical whereas the underdog has everything to play for and leaves everything they have on the field. It has happened before and will happen again, but a playoff system certainly would separate the good teams from the great teams.

[P-L]

All I want is for these teams to be given a fair shot. If you don't think they belong, then prove to the world that they don't belong.

[bhaarat316]

Not necessarily, Virginia Tech was a member of the Metro Conference until 1991... Cincinnati and Louisville were just recently brought into the Big East from conference USA. Miami and Florida St. were Independents less than 20 years ago.

ahaha yeah, that was looonng ago. I guess Cincy, Lous, and South Florida joining in 2005 is pretty recent. But they only joined because Miami, BC, VT left, and Temple kicked out. So unless a new conference or a shake up happens again, they are staying there for a while.


Though it is as SK says improve in other sports. But someone should be willing to take them as FB only, VT was football only when it first joined BE.

How long were Miami and Fl. St independent till they joined up conferences in '91?

[bhaarat316]

You are wrong to say the least, but my assumption from your comments is that you have never been a part of a prestigious program with a world of tradition who was looking at a national championship all season before losing the final game that stood in the way of reaching the NCG. Instead of playing for the title, you get a team thats program is laughable in comparison to yours when it comes to prestige and tradition. The players on OU and Bama came to those schools to be a part of programs that have had Heismans, National Championships, and All Americans scattered throughout the years.

We are all taught to always play your hardest, but the circumstances for OU and Bama were clearly different. Those games were classic tales of a big team having nothing to play for and coming out lackadaisical whereas the underdog has everything to play for and leaves everything they have on the field. It has happened before and will happen again, but a playoff system certainly would separate the good teams from the great teams.

hahah, if they had nothing to play for why play at all? Why not put in the 3rd string?

[jnew76]

All I want is for these teams to be given a fair shot. If you don't think they belong, then prove to the world that they don't belong.

Unfortunately the BCS has no desire to be "fair". The original BCS system made zero provisions for the inclusion of non-BCS schools. Non-BCS schools had to get together and sue the BCS and NCAA to be included. The BCS has no motivation to change. They currently control almost all of the signifigant television and bowl revenue. They spread it out among the 6 conferences and no one wants to share anymore pieces of the pie.

The TV networks could make them change the system tomorrow if they said they would not offer them a deal that did not include a playoff system. But the BCS knows that their product gets ratings that the networks will never argue with.

[bhaarat316]

Unfortunately the BCS has no desire to be "fair". The original BCS system made zero provisions for the inclusion of non-BCS schools. Non-BCS schools had to get together and sue the BCS and NCAA to be included. The BCS has no motivation to change. They currently control almost all of the signifigant television and bowl revenue. They spread it out among the 6 conferences and no one wants to share anymore pieces of the pie.

The TV networks could make them change the system tomorrow if they said they would not offer them a deal that did not include a playoff system. But the BCS knows that their product gets ratings that the networks will never argue with.

Its just a big horrible system, that will never be fixed unless something drastic and crazy happens.
Like all the non-BCS teams getting together and making some new crazy system and a TV network working a deal with them.

[Don Vito]

hahah, if they had nothing to play for why play at all? Why not put in the 3rd string?

You know what I mean, what I'm saying is there was really nothing Bama or OU would prove by winning those games whereas it was the complete opposite for Boise and Utah. I'm not saying that is what the players and coaches were talking about before the game, it is just a fact. Everyone knows those teams didn't alk into those games with the same attitude they would for a big conference game ot the National Championship.

[wonderbredd24]

Personally, I love that Ohio State schedules big games like Texas, USC and next year, Miami.

I hope they'd make that call, but it's easy to hide behind the fact they are already playing Miami that year.

The SEC in particular is pathetic as far as non conference games. Yea, the SEC is tough, but that doesn't mean you need to schedule 3 or 4 proverbial idles every season. If the SEC is supposed to be the best conference in the country, they should not be afraid to prove it.

[jballa838]

I see why these teams dont want to play boise. They lose Kyle Wilson this year, and thats about it. 5 graduating seniors, and I don't think many are starters.
edit: just Kyle Wilson is a starter, the other 4 are special teamers.

[wonderbredd24]

I see why these teams dont want to play boise. They lose Kyle Wilson this year, and thats about it. 5 graduating seniors, and I don't think many are starters.
edit: just Kyle Wilson is a starter, the other 4 are special teamers.

The challenge is for 2011, so that's after next year's guys leave

[Smooth Criminal]

I'd say go for it OSU but they already have a game scheduled for that day @ Miami.

The BCS sucks. I love things like this proving why the BCS is an awful system. I'll support anything that will get a playoff in college football.

[SuperKevin]

Honestly, Oklahoma should schedule them for a revenge game

[diabsoule]

I think Utah, Boise St., TCU, Houston, Tulsa, and BYU need to form their own football only conference with a few other select schools. I honestly think they have the makings of a "Power" conference that could score a decent TV deal and level the playing field a little in terms of revenue from television.

This quote inspired me to create a "Super" Mid-Major Conference. I tried to make them competitive in football and basketball. It is comprised of twelve teams, the majority are of the current MWC, with a few taken from C-USA and the WAC. This is what I came up with:

Mountain West
(I divided them into East/West due to travel issues. Dividing them by North/South would have added more travel for the Southern teams and it would have still kept BYU/Boise St/Utah in a division together.)

East
Air Force
Colorado State
Houston
New Mexico
TCU
Tulsa

West
Boise State
BYU
Fresno State
Nevada
UNLV
Utah

The conference championship game could be played at Invesco Field in Denver, CO.

[P-L]

I think the worst part of this whole situation is that Boise State could end up going 12-0 and they're going to end up playing in the Humanitarian Bowl.

[ironman4579]

Here's the problem. The "big" schools really have nothing to gain by playing the Boise States, Utah's, etc.

Regardless of rankings, BCS wins etc., the average fan (and voter) still thinks of those types of teams as not being as good as even a middle of the road BCS conference team (IMO of course).

If a big school takes the game and wins big, that's what was expected. If they win but it's close, that's not too bad, but it's not great. Lose at all, and you're screwed, at least for awhile.

On the other hand, Boise State/Utahe/whoever have almost nothing to lose. If they win at all, it's huge. If they lose, but keep it close, they hung with the big boys. The only way it hurts them is if they get blown out.

Honestly, I would like to see more games like OSU/USC, OSU/Texas, Miami/Oklahoma. I'd love to see more big time programs playing each other every year. I think it's good for the game. However, those type of games are always going to be more appealing to the "big" schools than playing Boise State.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Here's the problem. The "big" schools really have nothing to gain by playing the Boise States, Utah's, etc.

Regardless of rankings, BCS wins etc., the average fan (and voter) still thinks of those types of teams as not being as good as even a middle of the road BCS conference team (IMO of course).

If a big school takes the game and wins big, that's what was expected. If they win but it's close, that's not too bad, but it's not great. Lose at all, and you're screwed, at least for awhile.

On the other hand, Boise State/Utahe/whoever have almost nothing to lose. If they win at all, it's huge. If they lose, but keep it close, they hung with the big boys. The only way it hurts them is if they get blown out.

Honestly, I would like to see more games like OSU/USC, OSU/Texas, Miami/Oklahoma. I'd love to see more big time programs playing each other every year. I think it's good for the game. However, those type of games are always going to be more appealing to the "big" schools than playing Boise State.

I know Ohio State is trying the latter. We have Miami (Fl) the next two years, then Cal/Cincinnati, then Cal again. 2014-2015 is V-Tech twice, Oklahoma twice, then Tennessee twice.

[diabsoule]

LSU is about to start a home and home with West Virginia and has TCU scheduled as well.

[ironman4579]

I know Ohio State is trying the latter. We have Miami (Fl) the next two years, then Cal/Cincinnati, then Cal again. 2014-2015 is V-Tech twice, Oklahoma twice, then Tennessee twice.

I know, I like it even if I hate OSU ;)

Seriously though, I know Michigan had Utah last year (like that wasn't the worst possible year for that game), but I'd like to see more games scheduled against big schools. Even if you lose them close, I don't think it hurts you as much as say, losing to Boise State would.