I grew up across the river from Memphis; the school was Memphis State then. It's good to see the school getting visibility - academically, it's pretty fair, also.
Being a Liberal Arts major (English and American Lit, with close-to-majors in History and French), I may be a little weak on my math, but it strikes me, as it did last year, that if there are four playoff slots, a fifth or sixth team, or more, will always be left out. Or is my arithmetic wrong? Let's see - check me on this - four places, 5 or 6 teams; 4 from 6 = umm, yes, 2 left over.
We have a pathetic excuse for a "playoff" in place now. It clearly rewards only a handful of conferences. Given the dilution, or parity, of talent across many more teams than in the old days, someone is going to be left out. Hmm. Perhaps the selection committee will make a bold move and pick Memphis over, say, the SEC team. Memphis finds it hard to fill a small stadium playing their conference rivals - the Ole Miss game is their 'money' game because of the number of Rebel fans who make the drive up I-55. How many will go to a bowl game, even a playoff game? The SEC team will bring big numbers. Money talks; parity is usually quiet.
All this flap could be stilled if the large conferences would agree to a playoff system similar to the smaller divisions. Think of the money such a system would bring in.
And after all, isn't money what it's all about? I mean, those coaches have to feed their children somehow.
Being a Liberal Arts major (English and American Lit, with close-to-majors in History and French), I may be a little weak on my math, but it strikes me, as it did last year, that if there are four playoff slots, a fifth or sixth team, or more, will always be left out. Or is my arithmetic wrong? Let's see - check me on this - four places, 5 or 6 teams; 4 from 6 = umm, yes, 2 left over.
We have a pathetic excuse for a "playoff" in place now. It clearly rewards only a handful of conferences. Given the dilution, or parity, of talent across many more teams than in the old days, someone is going to be left out. Hmm. Perhaps the selection committee will make a bold move and pick Memphis over, say, the SEC team. Memphis finds it hard to fill a small stadium playing their conference rivals - the Ole Miss game is their 'money' game because of the number of Rebel fans who make the drive up I-55. How many will go to a bowl game, even a playoff game? The SEC team will bring big numbers. Money talks; parity is usually quiet.
All this flap could be stilled if the large conferences would agree to a playoff system similar to the smaller divisions. Think of the money such a system would bring in.
And after all, isn't money what it's all about? I mean, those coaches have to feed their children somehow.
As much I would like to think the selection committee is truly independent, a voice in the back of my mind tells me they are not. The elephant in the room is ESPN which has a virtual lock on college sports. ESPN will not let an unknown team play in the "big show" for fear of losing advertising dollars. ESPN has corrupted college sports to the point that if ESPN stepped away tomorrow, it would take years to wean college sports to return to the point where they are part of the college experience and not the college experience unto itself. The NCAA is a willing and able partner with ESPN in this corruption.
I can no longer watch a game on ESPN or its affiliated networks because of endless commercials and mindless chatter by announcers that turned a game from two and half hours of escapism to a four hour marathon. I would rather read the account in the papers.
I can no longer watch a game on ESPN or its affiliated networks because of endless commercials and mindless chatter by announcers that turned a game from two and half hours of escapism to a four hour marathon. I would rather read the account in the papers.
Every sport has its issues; college football is no exception. Money rules, tradition chokes competition etc. etc. But, after having watch more college football games than I care to admit, the most exciting college teams to watch are (in no particular order) Baylor, TCU, Memphis, and LSU. Yes, Baylor and TCU have so far played rather pitiful schedules, but their players and coaches are a joy to watch. Trevone Boykin in particular seems superhuman. On TV at least LSU is one of the most physical teams in memory. No matter which teams end up in the championship playoffs the 2016 games will be great fun.
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The BCS, ESPN (televisor of ALL BCS playoff games...) are in busines for the money, not provide a fair and even playing field.
The American Athletic Conference has neither money nor prestige to bring to the table.
Money talks, big money talks loudest...
The American Athletic Conference has neither money nor prestige to bring to the table.
Money talks, big money talks loudest...
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That's tantamount to a mob boss admitting he's a criminal. Congratulations. The system is corrupt. And if that's the system you want, then fine. But don't call them the "Champions". As a matter of fact, why don't we just figure out who has the best recruiting class every year, who has the best facilities, the biggest budget, and the best-sounding coach's name, and crown them. Don't bother playing any games. That might yield an undesirable and distasteful result. Stop wasting everyone's time and money and just give the trophy to Alabama every year.
Yeah, that's not what sports is supposed to be about.
Yeah, that's not what sports is supposed to be about.
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No, the current BCS "Championship" is not the system I want.
I still wonder why, if NCAA Divs. IA, II & III can have workabale & rational playoff systems, the BCS can not.
Back to money...
I still wonder why, if NCAA Divs. IA, II & III can have workabale & rational playoff systems, the BCS can not.
Back to money...
How will the defeat of the HOPE act in Houston affect its chances of getting to a power five conference, and to a lesser extent into the cauldron of the playoff as it is presently instituted?
The only problem with comparing the ACC with the A.A.C. is that the A.A.C. is the conference with 3 teams in the top 25 of the playoff ranking and the ACC only has two. So much for the power of the ACC!!!!! It is not as slanted as you noted in the article. BTW it was a fine balanced article otherwise.
Memphis is just showing all college football fans that the notion of a NCAA football championship is just a beauty pageant influenced by $$$$$$.
The Group of 5 need to organize themselves into their own version of the old "AFL," with their own play-offs and their own television contract. THE only reason that this does not happen is because of the careerist ambitions of Athletic Directors, Coaches and Presidents. The big salaries for all of these administrators is only available at the next level in the "power conferences." So, even though there is better football and better money to be made for the Group of 5 universities by organizing a separate play-off, it is unlikely to ever happen.
In sports, there is a nasty and distasteful trash-talking phrase used for being someone's acquiescent subservient. Although it cannot be used in polite company, it may aptly apply to the grown-ups in the Group of 5.
The Group of 5 need to organize themselves into their own version of the old "AFL," with their own play-offs and their own television contract. THE only reason that this does not happen is because of the careerist ambitions of Athletic Directors, Coaches and Presidents. The big salaries for all of these administrators is only available at the next level in the "power conferences." So, even though there is better football and better money to be made for the Group of 5 universities by organizing a separate play-off, it is unlikely to ever happen.
In sports, there is a nasty and distasteful trash-talking phrase used for being someone's acquiescent subservient. Although it cannot be used in polite company, it may aptly apply to the grown-ups in the Group of 5.
1
With all due respect, your notions are all wrong. There would be NO "...better football and better money to be made for the Group of 5 universities by organizing a separate play-off,..." because as soon as you do that, you are in the same situation as D1-aa. You are no longer part of the hiest level of college football. Can't get good recruits to consider you, can't get TV time for exposure. No exposure equals no money. No money equals no good coaches.
And all of that is exactly what the P5 and the media want to happen. So they can brush us aside and not have to worry about us anymore.
And all of that is exactly what the P5 and the media want to happen. So they can brush us aside and not have to worry about us anymore.
George,
I respectfully and totally disagree. You have already been brushed aside, and you are eating the crumbs under the table of the power conferences. The "golden ticket" to a BCS game is a farce.
Sports media is totally content driven. There is enough desirable football content in the Group of 5 to sell to a network. You will be offering no more or less grant and aid, you will have no more or less stadium attendance.
Without making a bold move like this, the Group of 5 is left to whither and die. Just look what happen to the Big East when they froze, and broke up as each school competed for entrance into one of the power conferences. That erosion will continue as the Big 12 needs to add a couple of schools...
So, die of a thousand of cuts, or get bold and move forward. And remember, there are more assets than football that can be brought to the negotiation table.
Right now, the power conferences are banking on the self-interest of the administrators, not the interests of the universities or their athletes. Oh, and BTW, the goal would be to become the HIGHEST LEVEL OF FOOTBALL. One national network is all you need to start the process rolling.
I respectfully and totally disagree. You have already been brushed aside, and you are eating the crumbs under the table of the power conferences. The "golden ticket" to a BCS game is a farce.
Sports media is totally content driven. There is enough desirable football content in the Group of 5 to sell to a network. You will be offering no more or less grant and aid, you will have no more or less stadium attendance.
Without making a bold move like this, the Group of 5 is left to whither and die. Just look what happen to the Big East when they froze, and broke up as each school competed for entrance into one of the power conferences. That erosion will continue as the Big 12 needs to add a couple of schools...
So, die of a thousand of cuts, or get bold and move forward. And remember, there are more assets than football that can be brought to the negotiation table.
Right now, the power conferences are banking on the self-interest of the administrators, not the interests of the universities or their athletes. Oh, and BTW, the goal would be to become the HIGHEST LEVEL OF FOOTBALL. One national network is all you need to start the process rolling.
This article shows, beyond reasonable doubt, that the B.C.S. method of selection of teams to "play off" for the national championship is isn't working. It is illegitimate, and should be recognized as such by the media.
Would be nice if the article had gotten their facts straight,. First of the potential of five games remaining, three are against currently ranked teams. The AAC has as many ranked team as the ACC and Pac 12. Also the championship game is played at the home of the team with the best conference record not a neutral site.
The AAC is a new sort of conference which brings a new challenge to conventional wisdom. In the past, top teams outside the Power 5, notably Boise State, have made their reputations without benefit of playing more than a single ranked conference opponent. The AAC is relatively deep, and rightfully includes three ranked teams. If Memphis runs the table, they will be a shoo in for a top bowl and they will even get serious consideration for the playoff. The AAC has the potential to crash the party and I agree that the best way for them to shake up the system is to become a Power 6 conference.
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"...the best way for them to shake up the system is to become a Power 6 conference."
Agreed. Now, how? Aresco wants that label. Memphis wants that label. Hell, everybody wants that label. You don't "just become a power 6 league." You have to be invited to the table by ESPN. I'd say we've done our part. The rest is up to ESPN and CBS. I won't hold my breath.
Agreed. Now, how? Aresco wants that label. Memphis wants that label. Hell, everybody wants that label. You don't "just become a power 6 league." You have to be invited to the table by ESPN. I'd say we've done our part. The rest is up to ESPN and CBS. I won't hold my breath.
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They should be higher. There is still an SEC bias. But I could see a power 6, with Houston and Cincy.
Well Gee Memphis is lucky, they play teams that would be in the lower half of the power conferences. Let's see if they get a top flight bowl and then we might tell how good they really are. Beating Ms at home is not that great of a test.
This comment coming from a Tennessee fan, who undoubtedly doesn't know that his Vols are in a power conference (SEC); and have been in the lower half of the conference for the last 15 yrs...
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"Beating Ms at home is not that great of a test."
Uhhhh... Tell that to Alabama.
Uhhhh... Tell that to Alabama.
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It's better than Alabama did.
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Ok, Alabama and Ole Miss was not "subsequent" to Memphis playing Ole Miss. This, along with other incorrect quotes from the committee indicate that they are not actually looking at performance on the field, but simply charged with working out a way to maximize profits for the power conferences under a thin veneer of fairness.