[NU Sports] Money and the BCS

[Clark Zahn]

Jim Leonard wrote:
> I don't hate the BCS like some people do, but I don't understand the why the current BCS hasn't developed a simple playoff system. We're always talking about how in college football 'it's all about the money', so why does the BCS leave so much on the table? 
>
> The formula may not always get it right, but BCS ranking is fundamentally an attempt to identify the top teams when they may not meet on the field. The choices for #1 and #2 may be suspect some years, but it does a DECENT job of capturing the top eight teams. Any team that runs the table or has only 1-loss in a major conference should land in the top eight. (Please don't research the one exception, it doesn't change my argument) So it's safe to say that the BCS top eight includes your best teams. 
>
> I know it has been outlined before, but I just don't understand why it can't happen. Let the BCS top eight go to the four major bowls (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange), let the four winners meet the following week and let the two finalists play the week after that. Why would this be so hard to implement?
>
> I've heard a few arguments:
> -----------------------------------------
> 1) The extension conflicts with classes in the new semester. === Not Really. The BCS already allows two schools to play one week after January 1st and most schools don't start back until the 3rd week of January. I will gladly let NU players miss classes when we finally get there. 
>
> 2) It will undermine the smaller bowls. ==== Not Really. The Motor City Bowl is as irrelevant as it gets and it somehow survives in the current landscape. I could argue that there are too many small bowls, but I can't see how interest in small bowls would be affected. 
>
> What am I missing?
>
> Go Cats!
> Jim
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It would undermine all of the bowls except for the final one.  Only 
people who lived within driving distance would be attending the other 
bowls.  The airlines charge exorbitant fares if you book at the at the 
last minute.  Also, most flights are full due to reductions in flights 
so you might not be able to get a flight even at a high fare.  As it is 
now fans have enough advance warning that can book a flight at a 
reasonable price.