The reason that the playoffs system "doesn't work" is because of money. Too much money is circulating with all the bowl games. More teams go to bowls. Bowls make money and so forth. The bowl system will never be eliminated. Money drives college football.
Every one loss team will have an argument for playing OU in the Sugar Bowl. We are LSU fans, so we think it should be us. But let's not kid ourselves of why it won't be us ... playing ULM and a Div 1-AA team kills our SOS. The SOS is used in all the computer polls used in the BCS, which is why our average computer poll ranking is 7.5. On top of that, the BCS poll has its own SOS component and we are 63rd. I think we are just as good as any of the one loss teams, but until we beef up our OOC schedule, we'll have to go undefeated to get a shot at the MNC!
Well, I'll probably get flamed for this, but here goes anyway.... First of all, let me say that I'm a proponent of the BCS system for only one reason - I hope that it is the stepping stone to an eventual playoff system similar to that of NCAA basketball, but utilizing the existing Bowl network. If I thought this was "long-term" I'd be vocally against it. That being said, I've read a great deal about the discouragement and unhappiness about the "lack of respect" by the media and in the polls (amazing how they are so closely linked?) that is being shown to LSU. JMHO, but it is LSU's weak non-conference schedule, coupled with the fact that the SEC is having a "down year". LSU needs to schedule at least one respected non-conference opponent.....similar to UT-Miami, Alabama-Oklahoma, Auburn-USC ....before the BCS gives the respect that's desired. But when all four of your non-conference opponents are cupcakes, well, we all know.....it is what it is. Even at AU, I would prefer we play a Duke or Indiana over a La-Monroe or WKU. Otherwise, you may as well have a bye week. There are some who dispute this, but I'll go with Tony Barnhart's synopsis that the SEC is "severely down" this season, especially due to UT and UF, traditional powers that have failed to meet typical performance levels. BTW - he has definitely been giving LSU a healthy measure of respect. So even the conference wins aren't getting the respect (from a BCS points basis) they deserve because overall the conference is PERCEIVED to be substandard. LSU has a great team this season. It's too bad that they won't have demonstrated it against enough good competition to prove their point to the pollsters prior to end of season, because IMHO they could probably be playing in "da Shug-gah" for the NC. Good luck Tigers
There was no way to predict that Arizona would suck when we scheduled them a few years ago. Then we had Marshall back out on us this year. We played VaTech last year and now they are backing out on us next year. It's not like we aren't trying to schedule better teams...
You are correct in the case of Arizona, but we all know that La-Monroe, etc..... are "paid scrimmages" and the pollsters know it too. I'm not limiting my criticism to LSU, since I believe AU has a long way to go in this same area - it's ridiculous to think that teams can consistently compete for NC's with these type of schedules. Look at undefeated TCU....don't you think they're all saying, "why are we ranked behind LSU and all these other 1-loss teams?" LSU needs a Notre Dame or Va Tech on it's non conference schedule. It's too late for the short-term, but the long-term outlook can be influenced by the fans. The AU-USC series, despite 2 AU losses, has been very good recruiting exposure and earned a great deal of respect among the USC fan base. That's good for Auburn and good for the SEC.
I agree with all that, but without a playoff system, we will always have this debate when you have multiple one loss teams. I'd love to see us go to 8 conferences with 12 or 14 teams. Play 11 regular season games, 1 conference champonship game, then an 8 team playoff. I'm sure someone could figure out how to tie the bowl system into this playoff system. I know the anti-playoff people say that it would extend the season too long, but that's not true. Last year, both UGA and Arkansas played 14 games. An 8 team playoff would result in 2 teams playing 15 games.
First, its satisfying to see that I am not the only one who feels this way. Some people act like the BCS is the act of Satan, when it has been our best system, yet (though, not necessarily great), and a means to an end. We dont schedule the Louisiana schools for rent-a-wins, its about keeping money in state. I dont like it, and it probably wont last much longer. Generally that would only be one game a year- this time we had two. Also, there is absolutely nothing we as fans could have done or can do to make it better. In case you missed what was posted before, I'll reiterate. Arizona was top-10 when we scheduled them. Marshall was top-20 when we scheduled them. Arizona tanked, Marshall tucked tail and ran. Virginia Tech tucked tail and ran from next year schedule. We have had less than a year to find replacements for major 1-A teams backing out each of the last 3 years. What are we supposed to do? We cant schedule anybody decent with so little time, especially considering that we need the home game. You know not of what you speak. Our schedule sucks, yes, but its not our fault.
TigerWins...... I really like the scenario you described. I could "live with" an 8 team playoff system that was based on conference playoffs and maybe 1 "at large" selection. It would present a far less-controversial method of selecting the national champion than exists today.
I get a kick out of all you guys wondering about the BCS... Seriously fellas...What can we realistically do about it? Nottadamnthing.... Let's just worry about how we come out for Alabama. I'm worried about this off week messing up our continuity-on offense, defense, and special teams... We have been in a rhythm the last three weeks, and here's hoping the team is doing a much better job of concentration than we are at this point... Anyone ever hear of that Serenity Prayer that people recite? The one that says... "Lord, grant me the strength to change the things I can...."? Well, you can't change the BCS, and I hope you all find the wisdom to differentiate between the things you can change and the things you cannot. Our focus should be A-l-a-b-a-m-a. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less. One game at a time, fellers and fellerettes...
