The College Football Controversy: BCS vs. Playoffs

Implications

If the postseason problem facing college football is not resolved, things will only continue to get worse. Congress has already considered bring the BCS up for anti-trust law violations and if smaller schools in the league continue to be feel they are being treated unfairly, there is a chance that Congress will take action (1). If Congress does choose to take action, it is safe to say that much turmoil will result that will in turn disrupt the season. Even if Congress does not take action against the BCS, non-BCS schools will continue to suffer as they have been for the last seven years. While BCS conference schools continue to gain the vast majority of the money the BCS makes every year, some 84 out of 90 million dollars, smaller, non-BCS conference schools will keep suffering (2). As BCS conference schools keep gaining money and prestige from their bowl appearances, they continue to gain even more of an advantage in recruiting. When these schools can offer potential recruits lavish practice facilities, a huge stadium with thousands of fans and a chance at appearing in a major bowl game, why would players choose to go to a smaller school where they will not have these amenities? As BCS conference schools continue to get the best recruits, the smaller schools become more and more at a disadvantage. As college football continues in this cycle, the non-BCS conference schools keep losing money that not only affects the athletics of the college, but all the funds the school has to spend (3). Not only do the smaller colleges and universities suffer, but all fans of college football do as well. What makes a great game is competition and as things stand, the level of competition in college football today is falling fast.

(1) Holland, Jesse J. "Fight Over BCS Future Moves to Congress" http://www.bonesville.net/Articles/OtherArticles/AP/090403_BCS-Congress.htm

(2) "Congress Criticizes BCS" http://i.tsn.com/cfootball/articles/20030904/490733.html

(3) "Congress Criticizes BCS" http://i.tsn.com/cfootball/articles/20030904/490733.html

Picture from http://richmondspiders.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090404aaa.html

Above: Non-BCS conference teams often have trouble competing with the BCS conference teams as evidenced by University of Richmond's 42-0 loss to N.C. State in the opening week of the 2004 season