Semi OT: A Partial Reform of the BCS

First of all, I'm going to apologize in advance if something like this has been posted before, as I'm sure I'm not the first one to have this idea. I did a search and looked through the diary and MGoBoard archives and failed to find anything related to what I'm writing, but I'm not the most computer-savvy person in the world and it is more than possible that I simply missed it. However, after watching Boise State dominate Oregon defensively, I feel that this is worth putting out there.

With that out of the way, I will now proceed to mention the obvious; the BCS is broken as a system. Very good teams, like 2006 Boise State and 2008 Utah have been shafted, going undefeated, winning a bowl game against a BCS opponent, and not getting a shot at the national championship, as one loss teams from BCS conferences take their place. Furthermore, it is evident that a playoff, a more equitable and fair scenario, will not come about because the BCS is supported by every BCS-conference and most BCS-conference athletic directors. Barring government action (which is somewhat unlikely, especially considering that they have a lot of other crap to do at the moment and steroids are their pet sports issue to mess with at the moment), the status quo will be held for awhile. Therefore, an alternative method of reform is needed.

I'm not going to address the most heavily discussed methods of reform that do not include a playoff, such as a championship after the bowl games or other quasi-playoff ideas. They have been widely discussed and I have nothing to add to them. Furthermore, I have my doubts that anything short of a true playoff will work in practice anyway. My alternative instead attempts to work within the current system, and would simultaneously make college football more entertaining. It is to simply form a new conference that holds the best teams from the MWC and WAC, that could be on level with teams from BCS conferences (or at least be on level with the ACC and Big East).

This conference would not be easily created (re: nearly impossible), considering the contractual obligations involved between the conferences and individual teams. However, it is an interesting idea to consider on paper. To begin, I'll add teams that have been reasonably successful on the football field recently:

1. Utah
2. Boise State
3. BYU
4. TCU

I didn't include Hawaii, because their chances at being a somewhat successful program on a consistent basis is low after losing June Jones. Now I'll add teams that have been somewhat less successful, but are competitive and have good coaching:

1. Utah
2. Boise State
3. BYU
4. TCU
5. Nevada
6. Air Force

These six teams could be the nucleus for a good football conference, but for a conference to be viable and competitive, it needs at least 9-10 teams. Because these six teams should provide enough quality to upgrade conference strength of schedule, I'll add the top basketball teams remaining from the MWC and WAC, which will give this conference a chance to become a multi-sport power:

1. Utah
2. Boise State
3. BYU
4. TCU
5. Nevada
6. Air Force
7. UNLV
8. Utah State
9. New Mexico
10. San Diego State

Now we have a conference that includes some of the best non BCS teams in both football and basketball. It has the ability to be nationally competitve in both. Furthermore, the conference can play a round robin every year, which ensures that Boise State, Utah, and BYU will never miss each other. Furthermore, one non-conference game against a decent-to-good opponent will allow the top teams in the conference to compete with BCS teams in the computer rankings, which could help move them into the top 2 if a team finishes undefeated, which is within the realm of possibility by having some crappy football teams on the schedule for everyone, allowing Boise State and Utah to avoid playing good teams every week. Most importantly, however, the top teams in the league are respected by the voters in both human polls at the moment. This is essential because it will give the conference immediate national attention, which will be beneficial for recruiting purposes and would also increase revenue, which would allow teams to improve facilities, expand stadiums, etc.

By no means is this idea flawless. It would screw over the remnants of the MWC and WAC. It would also allow a team like Hawaii to play a schedule of cupcakes, go undefeated, and potentially get a BCS bid and embarrass themselves. Furthermore, it doesn't include teams like Hawaii and Fresno State, who have played well in the somewhat recent past, but don't look to be good in the immediate future. However, what it does do is expand the pool of teams that could make it to the National Championship game, making college football a little more equitable than it is now.