Okay, I admit it. When it comes to college sports and other things in life, I am a traditionalist.
Many people have been crying for a college football playoff to determine the “true” champion. I have not been one of them. People say that college football is the only sport that doesn’t crown a champion. I get that, but college football is also the only sport in which bowl games conclude its season.
This much I do know: there would be a playoff soon in college football. NCAA officials will meet in June to discuss the topic. My question is will a playoff system kill the top-tier bowl games?
What’s the real reason to play the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl if they aren’t going to have a direct say in the national championship. If they do survive, will we see a bunch of 8-3 and 7-4 teams in those games? It would just create more mediocrity.
The low-tier bowls will survive. Their importance will remain the same: a consolation prize for teams hoping to complete their season with a win in a warm climate (minus that bowl in Michigan).
It will be interesting to see what the NCAA decides. The people who think a playoff system will solve all college football ills could be badly mistaken. I imagine the bowl games will be a major lobby presence at these NCAA meetings too.
One thing is for sure: change is on the horizon and that bodes negatively for tradition.
Showing posts with label Rose Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rose Bowl. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Thursday, December 22, 2011
My Christmas List--College Style
With my apologies to the song, “All I want for Christmas,” I present my top 10 wishes college style in no particular order.
•I want LSU and Alabama to play a 3-0 game in the BCS football title game. That baseball score would cause another great outcry about teams playing twice in a season including for the national championship.
•Baylor’s Robert Griffin III to return to school for another season. That seems highly unlikely so I hope he gets drafted by a team that will display his many talents.
•That the University of Louisiana-Lafayette receives more television time. How can you not fall in love with its nickname—the Ragin’ Cajuns?
•That the so called expects will quit picking on the Independence Bowl. I have been to Shreveport, Louisiana. It isn’t that bad. There are worst places.
•Please tone down the hype on the Rose Bowl game. It isn’t that special anymore even though people still call it the “Granddaddy” of the bowls. I think Granddaddy passed away a few years back.
•That the Big Ten Conference will truly change the football divisions named “Leaders” and “Legends.” Sorry, but it still sounds strange.
•That people will really believe Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz when he says he will remain the Hawkeye coach after another series of rumors. Why would a guy that has big time control of his program and makes $3.8 million per year really think about departing for another job?
Smaller schools complaining about the lack of love compared to the larger ones. Show it on the football field or basketball court and then get back to me.
•Teams like North Carolina, Kentucky, Syracuse or other traditional basketball powers not making the NCAA Final Four basketball. We need a couple new teams in that party to make it interesting.
•More Dick Vitale. The guy is a showman and has a great gig. He is good entertainment.
•I want LSU and Alabama to play a 3-0 game in the BCS football title game. That baseball score would cause another great outcry about teams playing twice in a season including for the national championship.
•Baylor’s Robert Griffin III to return to school for another season. That seems highly unlikely so I hope he gets drafted by a team that will display his many talents.
•That the University of Louisiana-Lafayette receives more television time. How can you not fall in love with its nickname—the Ragin’ Cajuns?
•That the so called expects will quit picking on the Independence Bowl. I have been to Shreveport, Louisiana. It isn’t that bad. There are worst places.
•Please tone down the hype on the Rose Bowl game. It isn’t that special anymore even though people still call it the “Granddaddy” of the bowls. I think Granddaddy passed away a few years back.
•That the Big Ten Conference will truly change the football divisions named “Leaders” and “Legends.” Sorry, but it still sounds strange.
•That people will really believe Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz when he says he will remain the Hawkeye coach after another series of rumors. Why would a guy that has big time control of his program and makes $3.8 million per year really think about departing for another job?
Smaller schools complaining about the lack of love compared to the larger ones. Show it on the football field or basketball court and then get back to me.
•Teams like North Carolina, Kentucky, Syracuse or other traditional basketball powers not making the NCAA Final Four basketball. We need a couple new teams in that party to make it interesting.
•More Dick Vitale. The guy is a showman and has a great gig. He is good entertainment.
Monday, January 3, 2011
TCU is BCS Buster
Congratulations to the TCU Horned Frogs. It is the biggest sports story of the young New Year.
TCU came into the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin under pressure. As a non-BCS participant, the Horned Frogs were representing the smaller programs throughout the country. They were invited to the Rose Bowl party only because TCU forced its way through the door. And I say good for them.
Then the game started.
TCU was ready. The Horned Frogs took the Badgers punches and punched back. They had a plan and they had emotion. Those two things in football often spell success. Last Saturday, success was spelled TCU.
Ponder the fallout from this game. Wisconsin disappoints approximately 50,000 Badger fans in attendance. The flight back to Madison was probably somber. The BCS gurus are probably evaluating the formula regarding non-BCS schools.
But then again, think about the celebration in Fort Worth, Texas, home of TCU. The Horned Frogs came, saw and conquered. They were on a mission and the Horned Frogs completed the job.
I wonder how many hits the TCU website has taken since the victory. Sometimes exposure is all about marketing and to use a baseball term, TCU hit a home run on all fronts.
TCU came into the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin under pressure. As a non-BCS participant, the Horned Frogs were representing the smaller programs throughout the country. They were invited to the Rose Bowl party only because TCU forced its way through the door. And I say good for them.
Then the game started.
TCU was ready. The Horned Frogs took the Badgers punches and punched back. They had a plan and they had emotion. Those two things in football often spell success. Last Saturday, success was spelled TCU.
Ponder the fallout from this game. Wisconsin disappoints approximately 50,000 Badger fans in attendance. The flight back to Madison was probably somber. The BCS gurus are probably evaluating the formula regarding non-BCS schools.
But then again, think about the celebration in Fort Worth, Texas, home of TCU. The Horned Frogs came, saw and conquered. They were on a mission and the Horned Frogs completed the job.
I wonder how many hits the TCU website has taken since the victory. Sometimes exposure is all about marketing and to use a baseball term, TCU hit a home run on all fronts.
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