Tuesday, February 28, 2006
No Change in BCS Formula
The most successful championship game in Bowl Championship Series history apparently has led to peace in the offseason. For the first time since 1999, the ratings system for college football's controversial postseason will go unchanged into the 2006 season, SEC commissioner Mike Slive told Sporting News on Tuesday.
Although the BCS will add a fifth game this fall to give non-BCS leagues more access to the series, the formula for figuring the complex ratings system is set. The series will use the coaches poll, the Harris poll and an average of six computer rankings -- all weighted equally -- to determine the No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup.
"I don't want to deal in the world of speculation," Slive said, "But I don't see any significant changes. Then again, it's early in the day."
The way things unfolded last season, it's easy for Slive and the rest of the BCS to take playful, self-deprecating shots. The 2005 season began with a new poll (Harris Interactive Poll) replacing the historical Associated Press Poll, and finished with two unbeatens (Texas and USC) playing in the most-anticipated, most-viewed championship game in series history.
But that dream scenario came on the heels of two consecutive postseasons filled with controversy and debate over which teams deserved to play in the BCS national title game. In each season, there were at least three teams for two spots: USC, Oklahoma and LSU in 2003, USC, Oklahoma, Auburn and Utah in 2004.
There was talk that some administrators were interested in taking away an automatic bid for any team ranked No. 3 or No. 4 in the final BCS standings, in an effort to broaden the field for the bowls. Any such change, though, likely will be met with resistance from FOX, which now has exclusive rights to the Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls and the national championship game. The Rose Bowl will stay with ABC.
The BCS will hold its annual meetings in late April in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The most successful championship game in Bowl Championship Series history apparently has led to peace in the offseason. For the first time since 1999, the ratings system for college football's controversial postseason will go unchanged into the 2006 season, SEC commissioner Mike Slive told Sporting News on Tuesday.
Although the BCS will add a fifth game this fall to give non-BCS leagues more access to the series, the formula for figuring the complex ratings system is set. The series will use the coaches poll, the Harris poll and an average of six computer rankings -- all weighted equally -- to determine the No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup.
"I don't want to deal in the world of speculation," Slive said, "But I don't see any significant changes. Then again, it's early in the day."
The way things unfolded last season, it's easy for Slive and the rest of the BCS to take playful, self-deprecating shots. The 2005 season began with a new poll (Harris Interactive Poll) replacing the historical Associated Press Poll, and finished with two unbeatens (Texas and USC) playing in the most-anticipated, most-viewed championship game in series history.
But that dream scenario came on the heels of two consecutive postseasons filled with controversy and debate over which teams deserved to play in the BCS national title game. In each season, there were at least three teams for two spots: USC, Oklahoma and LSU in 2003, USC, Oklahoma, Auburn and Utah in 2004.
There was talk that some administrators were interested in taking away an automatic bid for any team ranked No. 3 or No. 4 in the final BCS standings, in an effort to broaden the field for the bowls. Any such change, though, likely will be met with resistance from FOX, which now has exclusive rights to the Sugar, Orange and Fiesta bowls and the national championship game. The Rose Bowl will stay with ABC.
The BCS will hold its annual meetings in late April in Scottsdale, Ariz.
# posted by Michelle @ 10:43 AM 
