Posted by guest blogger Michael Chase
As we wait for the BCS Poll to come out this evening, the debates rage from fans across the country about who should round out the top 5, behind undisputed #1 Alabama. With Oklahoma's demolition of previous #2 Texas Tech, they have a legitimate claim. But, they lost to Texas, who is knocking on the door, as is Florida. Good arguments could be made for all three teams. And more than a few West Coasters are screaming for USC.
The BCS will apply its fuzzy math and we will know soon enough. But, this makes me want, as I do about this time every year, a better defined and straight forward approach.
A playoff system.
I won’t go into all the reasons why it would be good for college football. Or how it could work. Dan Wetzel did a great job of explaining this and how great it would have been last year. Would have been great in 2004 as well. Even President-elect Obama supports it.
Theories, opinions, politics and logistics aside, I just want to the see the teams and players settle it on the field, end of story.
But, despite stories about how the NCAA may be getting closer to some type of playoff system, it looks like things won’t change that soon. ESPN just shelled out $500 million to secure the rights to broadcast the BCS series from 2011 to 2014. This is huge amount of money for a cable network to pay (although ABC will broadcast some of the BCS bowl games), but they would not have done it had they not seen the potential for big revenue. And they agreed to broadcast in the current BCS system.
Which means, why change what is still so profitable? It most likely won't.
I am sure I will be happy to have the kind of in depth access and ability to experience the games across multiple media platforms. And it will allow advertisers unprecedented opportunities to connect with the male 18-49 demo that ESPN delivers better than anyone.
But, I would give it all up in a heartbeat, if it meant the guys on the field, not a series of equations, could decide who wins it all. In the long run, it's better for everyone.
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2 comments:
your "why change what is still so profitable?" question is just about the saddest thing i've ever heard in my entire life.
of course, one needs to be pragmatic and logical and realistic about these kinds of things, but it's just so sad. the student athletes are taken advantage of in so many ways, paid off with a bunch of toys in the bcs games, and we fans are stuck with a shitty product all because it's still profitable.
horrible.
You know the networks have crunched the numbers and have determined they all collectively make more on the bowl system than they would a playoff or it would have happened by now. Of course, CBS just paid $1B for the college basketball tournament. You would think a football playoff would generate more but it must not.
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