The Death of the BCS

We've hashed away at this for years.

For Yahoo! Sports' Dan Wetzel, the subject was enough for him to turn into a book that -- dare I say -- helped spring everything that's happened as of late.

And, now, it's time to (finally) lay the BCS to rest.

A committee of university presidents approved a plan for a four-team playoff put forward by commissioners of the top football conferences.

Rejoice!

Apparently not one to brag, Wetzel instead recognizes that this necessary step was simply a step and not anything remotely close to perfect. Witness, if you will, how the bowl people took the news.

So they wouldn't even give us a high school-style playoff. They pretended it would ruin the regular season (it won't), that it would curb bowl-game charitable donations (they actually give extremely little), that it would be an impediment to student-athletes' academic progress (everyone always laughed at that one).

They said a lot of things. Almost none of it was true.

In 2010, Rick Baker, president of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, said, "A playoff system would ruin the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic."

Tuesday, Rick Baker, president of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, said, "It's a great day for college football. We congratulate the conference commissioners and presidents for their diligent work to enhance the postseason."

It was all the ridiculousness, all the dishonesty, all the worst parts of college sports. And none of the good stuff, just one measly championship game, often with a disputed matchup, 40-something days after the season ended. 

Wetzel's column, by the way, is a must read. Just do it.

We talked about the BCS in November, when the flawed formula rendered every conference championship game totally meaningless. No matter what happened, LSU was going to play Alabama for the national title. There was nothing that could be done about it.

So much for preserving a meaningful regular season, right? The most important games of said regular season meant were worth less than this blog.

We're supposed to believe a four-team playoff will preserve the regular season in college football.

Super.

I'm glad we get to preserve quality non-conference competition like Florida Atlantic-Alabama, Jacksonville State-Arkansas, Bowling Green-Florida, Northern Iowa-Wisconsin, UAB-Ohio State, New Mexico-Texas, and so many others.

Yes, college basketball powerhouses play tomato cans once in a while. But as long as the system in college football lacks any sort of inclusion come postseason selection time, there is little incentive for powerhouses to take on serious challenges. Instead, Oklahoma will travel to UTEP and pat itself on the back for taking that road game.

In fact, if you look at Phil Steele's preseason top ten (Florida State, Oklahoma, LSU, USC, Alabama, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin, Florida), here are the true road games that are being played in non-conference action:

Florida State at South Florida
Oklahoma at UTEP
Texas at Mississippi
Wisconsin at Oregon State
Florida at Florida State

You'll count one -- ONE! -- head-to-head game among the ten teams. Obviously, there is some head-to-head from conference rivals in the group. However, Florida-Georgia and Oklahoma-Texas are at neutral sites, and LSU-Alabama only requires that the kickers show up for the game. LSU travels to Florida, but neither LSU nor Alabama have to play Georgia.

But look at the system in college football.

Lose a game, and you're out.

What's the incentive for anyone to schedule a real road game against a real opponent? Why bother?

Plus, if you're an elite program, why would you bring in an elite team for a game, when you can fill your stadium just as easily when you play a tomato can?

Until there is a system that allows teams to lose games -- one that actually encourages real non-conference scheduling -- we're left to dream.

Well, that and look at a schedule grid and pick out matchups that could be happening Sept. 1 if anyone had any guts.

(I already have done some work on this. How about we start with LSU-Oklahoma, Arkansas-Wisconsin, Florida-Texas, and Florida State-Stanford?)

It's a start, and we're all glad to see the BCS go. But college football still has some work ahead, as those with common sense try to cut through all the crap that's been left by those who lack it.

BCS Needs Help, Change

I've made no qualms about the fact that the BCS sucks. Hell, I typically refuse to seriously entertain arguments that it's good in any way for college football.

Back in 2006, Michigan and Florida were jousting for the final spot in the BCS title game against unbeaten and top-ranked (and, as it turned out, severely overrated) Ohio State. Michigan had lost its season finale to Ohio State in a nail-biter that came one day after the death of legendary former coach Bo Schembechler.

The Wolverines were still ahead of Florida in the BCS rankings, but Florida beat Arkansas Dec. 2 for the SEC title while Michigan and Ohio State watched TV. No. 2 USC lost to UCLA, shockingly taking itself out of the running.

That, naturally, brought on the politicking that makes the BCS so damn special to college football fans.

Remember when Florida was worried Michigan and Ohio State were going to meet in a rematch for the title? Here’s what Urban Meyer said that day:

"We’re going to tell a group of young men who just went 12-1 with the most difficult schedule against six ranked opponents that they don’t have a chance to go play for a national championship?” Florida coach Urban Meyer asked incredulously. “I’m going to need help with that one.”

Here’s then-freshman receiver Percy Harvin:

“Michigan already had its chance. I think we deserve a chance.”

And the best quote came from Florida President Bernie Machen (who is a playoff guy):

“If they don’t vote for us after tonight, we need a new system,” Florida President Bernie Machen said after the game. “We should be packing our bags for Glendale.”

Florida got in, largely because a number of voters decided that their win over Arkansas meant they were suddenly better than Michigan.

Now, of course, the lobbying is of a different sort. An Alabama team that is idle this weekend while the SEC, Big 10, and Pac 12 decide conference titles with championship games is expected to play LSU in the BCS title game Jan. 9. That game might actually be played even if LSU stubs its toe against Georgia Saturday.

Seriously.

The games this weekend don't count. At all. They have no bearing on the BCS, which prides itself on telling us how every game counts.

These games don't count, and apparently LSU's win over Alabama Nov. 5 meant nothing, too, because Alabama will get another shot at LSU.

I'm guilty of saying publicly that Alabama is the second-best team in the country, yes. But as Stewart Mandel writes this week, the BCS is choosing Alabama not because it's clearly deserving, or because the world is clamoring for another Alabama-LSU snoozefest.

Instead, the selection is about the past, and not the present. If you look at the case Mandel makes, it's not about the present. Oklahoma State has more wins against top 25 teams, more wins against top 50 teams, and actually (gasp) won its conference. Alabama didn't even win its division, much less its conference.

The system needs help. There is no easy way to determine a second-best team in a world where there is only one viable unbeaten (sorry, Houston). I'm not going to bang the playoff drum, because there's no point. People are either going to scream along with you or scream at you. There is no convincing the insane on this issue. They will continue to believe that every game counts in the BCS, and that there are no major issues with the bowl system.

Go ahead. Rally against facts, and against the truth. It wouldn't be the first time the majority believed in a lie.

Meanwhile, another season has gone by where the powers-that-be have ignored the obvious cash cow that is a college football playoff in favor of an inferior, corrupt, less lucrative bowl system that sucks half the life out of a sport a lot of people would love if only given the chance.

Oh, and we continue to judge teams that play different styles and different schedules by results of games that were played three, four, five, or more years ago.

Of course, this doesn't matter to the BCS. The SEC is king, the league that produces national champions. That voters already spoke loudly about a potential title game rematch five years ago is irrelevant. That, after all, involved the crappy Big 10. This involves the NFL-like SEC. And you know fans will flip their TVs on in droves to see another big SEC game morph into a field goal-kicking contest.

Since it's the BCS, that's all that matters in the end.

TCU Lacks Guts to Play Wisconsin Again

This is a bit old, but I thought I'd throw it out there for those who hadn't heard it yet.

Recently, it was revealed that someone (ESPN?) was trying to set up what would have been a great game to open the college football season. The proposal was to have TCU play Sept. 3 at Wisconsin.

Since there had been rumors that UNLV was trying to back out of their game in Madison on that day, all it would have taken (logistically, at least) is for TCU to get out of their deal to play Baylor.

Of course, that's assuming TCU would want the game.

They didn't.

I guess they think they're better off playing Baylor at home than a marquee game against Wisconsin. Of course, they were more than willing to play Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium. In a one-time, blow-off game that didn't have a return game in Corvallis scheduled with it.

Easy decision to make when the game's in your backyard, I guess. When that game is on someone else's turf, it's just as easy to whine about contracts and return games.

UW coach Bret Bielema said during an appearance on WTSO-AM in Madison that he was contacted less than two weeks after the loss to TCU about a possible rematch.

"I would definitely love the challenge to play them again," Bielema said on the show. "And really, I thought it would be a great sell with our folks. Unfortunately, TCU wasn't as excited about the matchup."

TCU officials didn't share Bielema's enthusiasm for two reasons.

The Horned Frogs have a contract to play at Baylor on Sept. 3 and the reported offer was a one-game deal that did not include a return game with UW visiting Fort Worth.

Sounds like Gary Patterson's only willing to schedule these one-off games if his team is at or close to home.

Gotta love hypocrisy.

If you read "Death To The BCS," you'll come to understand that people like Patterson are exactly what's wrong with college football. The "cartel," as the book calls those who fight for the BCS, thrive off BS like the sanctity of the regular season.

Yet the BCS system's flaws are what discourage TCU from taking this game. As long as they have to win every game they play to have a shot at a BCS bowl, there is no benefit whatsoever for them to take a single game at Wisconsin.

None.

Because if they lose, they lose their shot at the BCS, and Patterson is a moron for taking the game. This is especially true when you consider the fact that they'd be giving up a home game against a mid-pack (at best) program like Baylor.

Of course, if there were a playoff system in place that rewarded not only elite records but teams willing to play tough schedules, TCU takes this game in five seconds.

Which situation is better for college football: TCU at Wisconsin or Baylor at TCU?

Tell me again what good the BCS does.

Ohio State President Clearly Unaware of Ohio State's Own Football Schedule

There are people out there aggravated by the current BCS standings.

Unfortunately, some of them aren't merely aggravated because the antiquated and virtually useless BCS still exists. Instead, they're upset at the teams that make up the top five.

It seems that some members of power conferences are suffering from increased levels of stress because Boise State and TCU dare to infiltrate the upper tier of the rankings week in and week out.

One of those in a tizzy about this is Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee, a man who clearly has bigger and more important things to worry about than college football.

"Well, I don't know enough about the Xs and Os of college football," said Gee, formerly the president at West Virginia, Colorado, Brown and Vanderbilt universities. "I do know, having been both a Southeastern Conference president and a Big Ten president, that it's like murderer's row every week for these schools. We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day.

"So I think until a university runs through that gauntlet that there's some reason to believe that they not be the best teams to [be] in the big ballgame."

He probably should have kept his damn mouth shut about the matter, rather than revealing his ignorance.

Apparently, Boise State plays the Little Sisters of the Poor, but yet Ohio State is better because they schedule behemoths like Youngstown State, Ohio, Akron, and UAB outside of Big Ten play. Evidently, Ohio State is better because they get to play juggernauts like Indiana, Purdue, Minnesota, and Illinois in conference play. That tough competition makes the Buckeyes better, but playing Air Force, Utah, and BYU does nothing for TCU. And the Horned Frogs deserve ridicule for being in a league with the likes of Wyoming and New Mexico.

Like there aren't any crappy teams in the Big Ten. Hell, Minnesota couldn't even beat South Dakota, and the Coyotes went just 4-7, including an 18-point loss to something called Southern Utah.

You have to love the fear coming out of the power conferences these days. Last year, Boise State and TCU both snatched BCS bowl bids with unbeaten regular seasons, then they sold out the Fiesta Bowl and produced a great football game.

This year, one of the two stands a real chance of making the championship game, where they could get a shot at college football immortality. Meanwhile, the power conferences are stuck watching in horror as the mid-majors have started figuring out how to take their teams to the highest level of the sport.

The days of a team like Utah "getting let in the BCS" and proceeding to kick all sorts of ass on national television, then being content with the accomplishment, are over. They want more, and it's getting more and more difficult for the BCS power structure to argue they don't belong or don't deserve a shot.

College Football Bowls Set

By now, you're all aware of my feelings on the current setup in college football. I like the bowls, and I strongly feel they can give us some really entertaining football games during the holiday season.

At the same time, I find it patently insulting that we still don't have a national tournament to decide a football champion. This was kind of cute back in like 1990, but almost 20 years later, we're no closer to a playoff system than we were when Tom Osborne was roaming the sidelines at Nebraska, and Wisconsin's football program really sucked.

33 bowl games are lined up and ready to go for this year. Yes, that's too many, however, it does allow some quality football players a chance at national exposure that they wouldn't normally get. Plus, it's extra college football, and it's hard to argue with that.

The bowl season begins Dec. 19, as Wyoming and Fresno State hook up in the New Mexico Bowl. There will be at least one game virtually every day from there until the national championship game, which pits Texas against Alabama at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

There are intriguing matchups all over the place, and there are compelling reasons to watch every game. Want proof? Here you go.

New Mexico - Wyoming (6-6) vs. Fresno State (8-4)

Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews should have a field day against Wyoming's horrific run defense.

St. Petersburg - Rutgers (8-4) vs. Central Florida (8-4)

It might be a home game for UCF, which is located in not-far-away Orlando, but Rutgers has the edge at all the skill positions. It will be up to the Golden Knights' tough defense to keep them in it.

New Orleans - Southern Mississippi (7-5) vs. Middle Tennessee (9-3)

Basketball score, anyone? USM's wacky, fast-paced attack faces well-known spread guru Tony Franklin, who is in his first season as the Blue Raiders' offensive coordinator.

Las Vegas - BYU (10-2) vs. Oregon State (8-4)

This could be one of the best running back duels we see in the bowls. BYU has Harvey Unga, while Oregon State counters with the shifty and insanely fast Jacquizz Rodgers.

Poinsettia - Utah (9-3) vs. California (8-4)

Both teams struggled mightily against top-tier foes this year, and both are coming off disappointing season-ending losses. It should be a good matchup, as they're looking to prove themselves and set up for bigger things next season.

Hawai'i - SMU (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4)

Things could get interesting in this game. Nevada has been running people over for weeks, and they have three (!) 1,000-yard rushers. SMU, meanwhile, is still rebuilding under June Jones, and while they have had a nice season, it could be tough to watch their defense try to stop Nevada. Good thing for the Mustangs that Nevada's defense will also have issues with Jones' run-and-shoot.

Little Caesar's Pizza - Ohio (9-4) vs. Marshall (6-6)

If you haven't heard of Theo Scott, check out the Ohio quarterback. (Rightfully) overshadowed by Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour, Scott had a magificent season, and he could be in for a big day against a Marshall team that will take the field with a new coach for this game.

Meineke - North Carolina (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (9-3)

With UNC playing a virtual home game, it should be a good atmosphere. The Tar Heels will struggle to stop Pittsburgh running back Dion Scott, a freshman who carried the rock for over 1,600 yards this season.

Emerald - USC (8-4) vs. Boston College (8-4)

Two things to really watch for here. One, how will USC come out for a minor bowl after seven straight trips to the BCS? Secondly, how will true freshman Matt Barkley handle BC's tough defense? Oh, and there's a third: Can the Eagles move the ball on USC?

Music City - Clemson (8-5) vs. Kentucky (7-5)

Two words: C.J. Spiller. The Clemson back and one-time Heisman candidate gets a chance to cut through one more college defense.

Independence - Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5)

This could be another basketball game. Jerrod Johnson should have a great day with Georgia's defense, but the Bulldogs can move the ball, too. Plus, it's not like A&M offers up much resistance.

EagleBank - Temple (9-3) vs. UCLA (6-6) or Army (5-6)

Because of a contract, Army gets this spot if they beat Navy on Saturday. The safer bet is that UCLA will make the trip east to play Temple. The Owls sport freshman back Bernard Pierce, who scored 15 touchdowns for Temple. They haven't been to a bowl game in 30 years, and this is their first winning season since 1990.

Champs Sports - Miami (9-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)

The emerging mid-major bowl lands a great matchup. Wisconsin needs to tighten up on defense, as they were scorched by Florida State in this game last year. It will help that they're much more competent on offense this time around. It's a nice chance for Bucky to help boost the struggling Big Ten's reputation.

Humanitarian - Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Idaho (7-5)

The Vandals are usually blown out when they play in Boise, but this game could be different. Nathan Enderle leads resurgent Idaho's offense, but they're up against the most prolific receiver in the country in the Falcons' Freddie Barnes.

Holiday - Nebraska (9-4) vs. Arizona (8-4)

Entertaining tilt between Arizona's dangerous offense and the reincarnation of the Blackshirts defense. Nebraska can hold down any offense in the country, as proven against Texas on Saturday.

Sun - Stanford (8-4) vs. Oklahoma (7-5)

Toby Gerhart. Enough said. The Heisman frontrunner faces off against an OU team that had a majorly up-and-down season without Sam Bradford.

Armed Forces - Air Force (7-5) vs. Houston (10-3)

Losses to UTEP, Central Florida, and East Carolina ruined any chance for Houston to be a BCS buster after their stunning win at Oklahoma State in September. Air Force, meanwhile, didn't do anything terribly notable this season, but they just keeping running the ball like crazy and posting winning seasons.

Texas - Missouri (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)

The Tigers have Danario Alexander, a top receiver in the country. He could have a big day against Navy's rather undersized defense. The Midshipmen, though, will compete like crazy, as proven by their win over Notre Dame in November.

Insight - Minnesota (6-6) vs. Iowa State (6-6)

Iowa State wasn't expected to do anything this year, but Paul Rhoads restored pride into that program and got them in the postseason. Watch how they handle the Gophers offense, led by running back Duane Bennett. Minnesota needed a win over I-AA South Dakota State to reach bowl eligibility.

Chick-Fil-A - Virginia Tech (9-3) vs. Tennessee (7-5)

Lane Kiffin's team started to make some strides offensively over the course of the season. However, Virginia Tech's defense presents a major challenge for the Volunteers. That said, what should a low-scoring game also features a good UT defense and a scattershot Tech offense.

Outback - Northwestern (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5)

All joking about the Gene Chizik hire aside, he did some good work for the Tigers. The story here is the marvelous job done (again) by Pat Fitzgerald. The Wildcats aren't full of top recruits like other programs, but they're well-coached and always playing smart football.

Capital One - Penn State (10-2) vs. LSU (9-3)

The Tigers never got the defense going as expected, and they will have a devil of an afternoon dealing with Penn State quarterback Darryl Clark. Both coaches -- Joe Paterno and Les Miles -- will have their guys ready after somewhat disappointing seasons.

Gator - Florida State (6-6) vs. West Virginia (9-3)

Kudos to all the ACC teams who accepted lesser bowls so Bobby Bowden could coach one more time in a bowl game. This one pits Bowden against his former school, and while it looks like a mismatch, just wait and see how well FSU plays for Bowden in his last game.

Rose - Ohio State (10-2) vs. Oregon (10-2)

While much will be made of tOSU's recent BCS failures, the thing to watch here is how Chip Kelly schemes his offense against the Buckeyes' tough-but-vulnerable defense. Jeremiah Masoli could have a huge day if the Ducks can block up front for him. Plus, we all have to watch and see what wild uniform combination Oregon comes up with.

Sugar - Florida (12-1) vs. Cincinnati (12-0)

Two top offensive minds -- Urban Meyer and Brian Kelly -- will match wits in this game. Kelly has done a good job despite struggles in the run game, while Meyer just lets Tim Tebow be a battering ram when the running backs aren't getting it done. Oh, and this will be Tebow's last college game. The draft hype begins in earnest very soon (if you didn't already think it was bad enough).

International - South Florida (7-5) vs. Northern Illinois (7-5)

On paper, the Bulls are way too big and fast for the Huskies. However, USF is just 2-5 after a 5-0 start, and they clearly missed the hell out of senior quarterback Matt Grothe (torn ACL). NIU can run the ball enough to make this very interesting.

Cotton - Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Mississippi (8-4)

A late loss to Oklahoma probably cost the Cowboys a BCS berth, while Mississippi has been slipping up regularly since the second week of the season. I hate to rip on Houston Nutt, who generally does really good work, but his teams do this all the time. They slip up when expectations are at the highest. Jevon Snead and Zac Robinson both lead elite spread offenses, so this should be fun.

Papajohns.com - Connecticut (7-5) vs. South Carolina (7-5)

While the up-and-down Gamecocks boast Steve Spurrier, the story here is UConn. They shook off a losing streak that followed the murder of a player (Jasper Howard) to win their last three (including in overtime at Notre Dame) and gain bowl eligibility. It should be close, as the Huskies' five losses came by a total of 15 points.

Liberty - East Carolina (9-4) vs. Arkansas (7-5)

Assuming Bobby Petrino doesn't quit before this game, he will have quarterback Ryan Mallett flinging it all over the field.

Alamo - Michigan State (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4)

While MSU is hurt by suspensions, expect the Red Raiders to put up some sick offensive numbers. Kirk Cousins, the accomplished Spartan quarterback, could do some good things in this game, but it's going to be tough with such a bad defense trying to slow down Mike Leach's attack.

Fiesta - Boise State (13-0) vs. TCU (12-0)

Duh. This will be fun. That said, I'll have more on this matchup at some point. I can't believe it's happening.

Orange - Iowa (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech (11-2)

I'm such an idiot for saying that Tech's offense would be slowed down. No one slows down Josh Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer. They're awesome, and so is Paul Johnson. The test here will be running wide on a really good north-south defense that has its issues defending the perimeter.

GMAC - Central Michigan (11-2) vs. Troy (9-3)

This is the best mid-major matchup imaginable. LeFevour has been amazing at CMU, and Troy's defense is stout. It's close to home for the Trojans, who should have plenty of fans in Mobile.

BCS National Championship - Alabama (13-0) vs. Texas (13-0)

Mark Ingram virtually carried the Tide past Florida, while Texas had to gut it out against the Blackshirts. How Texas defends Ingram will go a long way toward determining their chances to survive, because you shouldn't expect Colt McCoy to be able to post a ton of points.

BlogPoll: Dec. 2 Ballot (draft)

Here you be, kids.

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Florida	1
2	Alabama	1
3	Cincinnati
4	Texas
5	TCU
6	Boise State
7	Ohio State	2
8	Oregon	2
9	Iowa	2
10	Penn State	2
11	Virginia Tech	2
12	West Virginia	4
13	Pittsburgh	5
14	Georgia Tech	7
15	Oregon State	3
16	Southern Cal	3
17	Houston	4
18	LSU	5
19	Brigham Young	5
20	Utah	6
21	Oklahoma State	6
22	Clemson	5
23	Stanford
24	Wisconsin
25	Central Michigan
Last week's ballot

Dropped Out: North Carolina (#20), Mississippi (#22), Temple (#25).

The Alabama-Florida flip-flop is based solely on each team's play the previous weekend. Frankly, Alabama looked good in beating Auburn, who isn't a bad team, but Florida absolutely demolished their rival and hit on virtually all cylinders in doing so. You have to give them the nod for now. Frankly, the order of these teams is meaningless because we've known for a while that they'd be going head-to-head on a neutral field for the SEC title this Saturday.

This is the nightmare scenario for the BCS. Unless Nebraska shocks the world and beats Texas in what should be a virtual home game for the Longhorns, we're staring at the very real prospect of five unbeaten teams plus an impressive one-loss SEC title game loser.

Of course, this won't stop the anti-playoff morons from continuing to advance their "meaning of the regular season," "academics," and "how many teams would you take to make it work?" non-sensical rambles.

WE'RE BACK FOR MORE CUPCAKES

Last year, I decided it was time. There were so many cupcakes being devoured by big-time football schools that I could no longer stand it.

Since nothing was done, and the problem is getting worse, I decided to once again insist that it's time for major change.

Too many BCS conference teams are taking the easy way out in scheduling. Instead of challenging their teams and entertaining their fans, they're scheduling home games with the goal of selling out the stadium and winning 59-0.

Last year, the numbers were staggering. 52 of 65 teams housed in BCS conferences (for reference, those are the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac Ten, and SEC) played at least one game against a foe from the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in 2008.

This year, 49 teams are venturing into the challenging world of the FCS. Among the highlights is Texas Tech, who is opening the season September 5 against North Dakota, a team that was eligible for the Division II playoffs in 2007. Wonderful.

Mississippi leads the pack of teams playing two FCS opponents. They're both directional, too (Southeastern Louisiana and Northern Arizona)!

I'll reiterate my proposal from last year, though I'm willing to amend it, because although I don't think I went far enough, it does represent more than we'll ever see the big schools willing to do.

It's time to make a rule that bans teams from BCS bowl consideration if they schedule more than two I-AA opponents over a rolling six-year period.

Ideally, this would happen with no rolling period necessary. Play an FCS team, and you're not going to a BCS bowl.

However, contracts are sometimes broken at the last minute, and the only way to fill the schedule is to play a team from the lower division. I understand that.

At this point, I just hope someone does something. I just can't take this anymore. College football is wonderful, too wonderful to have people destroying it from within.