During the MNF game there was a commercial for the BCS games and it had #1 Oklahoma vs #2 LSU.....FINALLY.
The commercial had a guy lying on a psychiatrists couch confused about whether the Sugar Bowl or the Rose Bowk was the NC game. ABC broadcasts both games so they are playing it both ways. That ad didn't give any respect to either LSU or Oklahoma.
I noticed the rankings as well on MNF, and I'm glad they decided to finally list the teams by the BCS ranking system (for the BCS games). They even had it right on the screen crawl on ESPN today for the bowl game this afternoon.
The commercial was horrible. They're supposed to be the BCS promoters, yet they're more concerned with pleasing a few USC fans than remaining true to their contract. There is only one national championship game this year, and it is the same game that was scheduled to be the national championship at the beginning of the year -- the Sugar Bowl. Shame on ABC for adding to the controversy.
The company that is part of the reason we have the BCS promoting the game as something that it is not, the national championship game, is improper. I can understand why other media outlets, like AP writers, have given arguments for why the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl are both national championship games. For ABC to do the same is very questionable because they are obliged to a contract which they made with the BCS. Part of that contract states that the winner of the BCS national title game will be declared the national champion.
Let's see ... ABC has to choose between "improper" and a ratings bonanza for 2 bowl games. Sort of like the guy who finds $100 on the street ... does he turn it in to the police to find the owner or does he stuff it in his pocket?
When the next BCS, playoff system, etc. is introduced in two years, I hope those in control will take into consideration how ABC was ambiguous in its declaring a national championship game despite being bound to a contract with the BCS. Perhaps it will cost ABC and ESPN millions of dollars in the long run. Maybe not. Nevertheless, let it be known to the creators of the new system or the sustainers of the BCS as we know it that ABC is not fulfililng the spirit of the contract to which it is obliged.
When the contract with ABC is up the next contract is going to go to the highest bidder just like all TV contracts. If ABC is again the highest bidder it will be ABC again.
