You Deserve Better, TCU
Written by Benn Hodapp, Monday November 16 2009
Another year, another deserving team screwed out of a chance at the only thing that matters by the most asinine presence in sports, if not the world. I speak, of course, of the BCS.
It's somebody different every year. This time it will destroy the hard-earned perfect seasons of Cincinnati, Boise State and TCU. But let's focus on TCU, as they have separated themselves as perhaps the most dangerous team in the country.
The proud (and simple-minded) minority that loves the BCS will argue that TCU simply can't compare with the Floridas, Texases and Alabamas of the world. They are in the Mountain West, after all. And why would we want to try and prove this theory on the field when we have computers that will make stuff up based on arbitrary figures?
But TCU just doesn't sound sexy in terms of a national championship contender. The Gators, Longhorns and Crimson Tide all have history on their side. Those names mean something. But the Horned Frogs? We can't have that. It's just too new and contrary.
And the BCS doesn't want stats. It doesn't want the raw numbers that prove the worth of teams like TCU. Here is a list of things the BCS will not consider when deciding TCU isn't good enough:
- #4 in total defense (Texas (1), Florida (2), Alabama (3))
- #6 in rush defense (Texas (1), Alabama (2), Florida (10))
- #6 in pass defense (Florida (2), Alabama (11), Texas (22))
- #8 in scoring defense (Florida (1), Alabama (2), Texas (7))
- #4 in total offense (Texas (25), Florida (26), Alabama (29))
- #5 in rush offense (Florida (8), Alabama (13), Texas (55))
- #4 in scoring offense (Texas (2), Florida (14), Alabama (31))
"OK, but who have they played?" asked the skeptical BCS flunkie...
TCU 14 @ Clemson 10 - Sure the ACC isn't what it used to be, but the Frogs opened up the season on the road in Clemson and took out a team that just clinched a spot in its conference title game.
TCU 38 @ BYU 7 - This was stop number one in TCU's Utah-based 'Throttlepalooza'. It got them their first real acknowledgment of the season by eviscerating the Cougars in Provo.
TCU 55 vs. Utah 28 - This just happened last week and it was a bloody good time.
Compare those results with Texas:
16-13 vs. Sam Bradford-less Oklahoma
41-7 @ Missouri
41-14 @ Oklahom State
Florida:
13-3 @ LSU
41-17 vs. Georgia
Alabama:
34-24 @ Virginia Tech
22-3 @ Mississippi
24-15 vs. LSU
It looks like they have had comparably-built schedules. It could be argued, both by strength of schedule and margin of victory, that Florida is least-deserving of being in the conversation. Too bad the BCS really really loves them and has them #1.
The SEC title game will eliminate one contestant...I think. But who really knows with the seemingly random nature of the computer's selection process. I wouldn't be shocked if a 3-loss USC team was placed ahead of any one of the other three undefeateds because the Trojans are just too cool not to be lauded at every turn.
It would be so very easy to create college football Xanadu. Even a four-team playoff would work wonders for the collective psyche of the football fans.
But I suppose throwing a fist down and refusing to acknowledge stupidity is a damn fine way to go too.
So congratulations, TCU, Cincinnati and Boise State. You get a free ham and a giant, computer-generated middle finger.
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12 comments
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Homer I haven't lost my mind I just don't give a sh*t. A lot of this as I have pointed out before in a recent article I wrote is about the hate of the SEC because they DOMINATE the BCS Championship. Yes Alabama lost to Utah last year so what? It didn't mean anything to Bama other then they lost and Utah gained nothing from it other then getting people like you excited and happy that the SEC went down. But I love your argument the SEC is down yet the the two best teams in the country are from the SEC. OH and FYI name another conference that has TWO undefeated teams in the top 25 right now. I'll wait. Laughable. You are trying to make a case for schools and conferences who once in a blue moon beat a big name school therefore somehow they are entitled to play in the BCS championship game. Were you talking this much smack when Georgia whupped Hawaii a few years ago? Or when Alabama whupped them at home too? Didn't think so. And yes I'm an a football Elitist because MY school made the SEC. Here is some facts for you Homer: Alabama has the most bowl appearances, The most SEC titles with 21, had arguable the BEST college football coach all time in Paul William Bryant better known as Bear, Have the most Western Division titles, have the most NC in the SEC and second most NC in the country so yes I think I've earned the title and so has my school as being an Elitist program. They also was the first Southern school to go out to Pasadena and to the Rose Bowl and may make an appearance this year. So, yes Homer they have earned the title of Elite program. Homer, the system is the what it is I didn't say it is right, but what I am saying is I think the two best teams will face each other this year and that is what the BCS is about. Not putting number 4 and 5 together to aplease "haters" like you of the larger conferences. Homer you are the one that needs to wipe the drool off your face and stop dreaming that someone your wish of fairness is going to come true,because as long money is involved in this, your ideas don't have a chance and that's just fact.
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OMG Bama, you have lost your mind. You're right though, Alabama and Oklahoma didn't want to win, in fact, I'm surprised they even showed up to those low-level BCS bowl games. If those games didn't mean "a whole helluva lot" to the big programs, they should refund the tens of millions of dollars they made off of those games. They laid down and quit, right? Sure, they wanted a shot at the Nat'l Championship game, but they were obviously screwed out of it. You're just bitter your 'Tide was owned by a bunch of Mormons, it's ok, they have counseling for that. I don't "INSIST" that these smaller schools get a title shot, I just think that the people who are in charge of the BCS are greedy pigs, and it doesn't sound like you think much differently than they do. What exactly makes you an elitist anyways? Because Alabama is a large school in the SEC, which the media happens to think is the greatest conference in the history of any and every level of football? Who, exactly, is a very good to great program in the SEC, this year especially? Florida and Alabama. That's it. Neither of those teams has exactly dominated anyone good either, but that must be because the likes of Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Kentucky are real good teams, right? Oh, wait, you DO think that. My apologies. You surely realize that the SEC has two undefeated teams, which is impressive, but after that, no one else has better than a 4-3 record in-coference, right? You know how to get an 8-3 record while going 4-3 in your conference? By playing patsies. But you're right Bama, there is no reason to change anything, its awesome to watch a 62-0 football game against a school who couldn't beat their local JV High School team. Those blowouts MUST mean the SEC is really, really good. Wake up and wipe the drool from your cheek.
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Exactly, what does the SEC gain by playing a TCU or Boise State? Nothing. Just like you still bringing up Utah from last year and OU from a few years ago, all Bama and OU got from those games were loses and people like you who INSIST that these teams from weaker conferences be included in the BCS talking about games that quite frankly didn't mean a whole helluva a lot to neither of the schools that lost. Like I said Football Elilist and I make no apologies for it. This is not little league where every kid gets to play in the game, this is real life and in real life, the big boys rule the roost. I'm not saying it's right but it is the way it is and most likely won't be changing any time soon.
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Someone rmind me, how did Alabama do against Utah in the Sugar Bowl last year? It was damn near a home game for the Tide and they were still embarrassed. Or we could go with the Boise/Oklahoma game, which is arguably the greatest college football game ever played. As long as the current system is in place, there will NEVER be a true champion. But who cares about champions as long as the suits get paid, right?
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If you get the chance, read some of my articles regarding the BCS. You will see that I agree with you 100% and that I have offered a viable solution to the whole mess. A playoff system is needed but the resistance lies among those conferences who stand to lse the most money--the Big12 and SEC. The Bowl comittees are afraid to put Boise State, TCU and alike in their games because they fear that Mountain West and WAC fans are too far away to travel and fill their stadiums. It's not just the politics. Geography has a lot to do with it. If the major bowls were located say Colorado, they'd probably prefer a Boise State to Florida or Alabama. Perhaps the ones who would benefit most from a Cincinnati vs Boise State National Championship game would be the network that would carry the game. The ony fair way to crown a true National Champion is with a playoff system would include the champion from all 11 cconference champions and a few at-large teams. My formula would do just that. However, I (like you) have no say in the matter...yet. Maybe if enough of us are heard and united behind one system, our voices could be heard. As Greg Shelley pointed out to you, Boise State and Utah have proven that they can play with and outplay the "big boys." This year, TCU and Boise State have a chance to prove it again and strengthen our cases.
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Oh I understand Homer I'm just a football Elitist.
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I would never expect you to understand it Bama.
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The BCS sucks for those schools, not for the SEC, Big 12, Etc. Like I said the other day I believe we will have the two best teams in the country play each other and that was what the BCS is about to get the two best teams to play one another not to see Boise and TCU play one another. Life isn't fair and is not suppose to be. Not everyone is suppose to get a shot at the BCS title, just like not everyone was meant to be rich either. I'm sorry as a fan and an alumus of an SEC school, I'm not going to cry for these smaller schools especially when my school has a chance at a National Championship. No one cries for the smaller market teams when the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are able to buy themselves championships,while the Florida Marlins or the Washington Nationals blow in the wind. I don't hear Fans of the Yankees and Red Sox scream for a salary cap to help the smaller teams out so we can have parity in baseball,so why should the SEC or other larger conferences do the same for the smaller conferences.
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The BCS sucks in so many ways. Possibly the worst invention ever. Sucks for TCU, Cincinnati, Boise, etc. They'll never see a BCS Championship as long as the current system holds. The smaller schools don't generate the amounts of money the larger schools do, so who do you think is going to play for the crystal ball? College football is all about money, not the kids, or the game, or the education. Maybe that's why our country has become ass-backwards.
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Good points there Bama! Looks like the two best teams will play in the SEC championship. Too bad Texas will be playing one of the worst teams in the Big 12 for their championship, so they will continue to be difficult to measure--wish they would play TCU instead of a four or five loss team from the north.
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Gary Danielson, the CBS analyst was on a local talk show here in Bham and he said something that was interesting for a change. He said he didn't understand why people would want to see the BCS blow up because he wants to see the two best teams play each other and quite frankly, I think we are going to get that. One of the callers also brought up something interesting. He said that the only way the system will change is through an act of Congress, but he was saying something I've never thought about but is true; Most of the big wigs in Congress went to school at Texas, Alabama, Florids, and more then likely they aren't going to fight for smaller schools to get into the BCS like TCU.
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Well said Benn! You know, when you look at the teams the likes of Boise and Utah have beaten in BCS bowl bids in recent years, it's not rational to imply they can't compete with the so-called big boys. I would love to see TCU play Texas and get a chance to prove the obvious--they can and do compete. It will be interesting to see who remains undefeated after the bowl games.