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Political Hay
More BCS From Congress
Is it time for Congress to save college football?
Congress has spent the country blind, inflated a disastrous housing bubble, subsidized every special interest with a letterhead and lobbyist, and created a wasteful, incompetent bureaucracy that fills Washington. But now, argues Playoff PAC, legislators should take a break all their good work and save college football.
If there’s one process which Americans — at least sports fanatics — love to hate it is the Bowl Championship Series. The curiously convoluted BCS process mixes polls and computer analysis to rank teams and offer bowl bids. The goal is to match the number one and two ranked teams and produce a “national champion.” Four out of five Americans surveyed want another system.
Alabama and Texas, slated to meet for the title on January 7, might really be the best teams this year, though I don’t claim to know, since I don’t follow college football. All that matters to me is that Florida lost to someone (I’m a graduate of forlorn FSU) and is out of the championship running. Not that I would watch the big game if FSU were playing in it.
However, undefeated Texas Christian University and University of Cincinnati complain they were unfairly frozen out of the championship race. In fact, most every year there is controversy over the worthiness of a contender or, more often, the worthiness of uninvited potential contenders.
Matthew Sanderson, co-founder of Playoff PAC (and graduate of the University of Utah, a perennial “victim” of the BCS) says: “We need real reform in college football. Let’s stop running this game needlessly on two cylinders and start a playoff.”
Or more accurately, he wants Congress to force a playoff.
Makes you wonder what policy model legislators would use to redesign college sports. Maybe the financially responsible Social Security system. Or the ever efficient Postal Service. Perhaps the “let’s buy everyone a home” Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And don’t forget the consumer-friendly IRS.
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) has introduced legislation to “fix” the BCS. His district contains Fort Worth, where TCU is located. Barton calls the current system “communism” and denounces “this year’s BCS failure.” The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection approved Barton’s legislation last week.
His bill would define as an “unfair or deceptive” trade practice marketing any contest as a “national championship game” unless it was “the final game of a single elimination post-series playoff system.” The legislation also would ban the sale of “any merchandise related to such game.”
Of course, if Congress is going to start policing sports claims, it is going to be very busy. Consider a so-called “World Series” based in one country, with one team from one neighboring nation (Toronto Blue Jays) tossed in as a seeming afterthought. Sounds like an “unfair or deceptive” practice to me!
I suppose a game can be a “Super Bowl” when it involves teams from just one country, but the original Super Bowl technically was the “AFL-NFL World Championship Game” and the then two separate leagues talked about the contest determining “the world champion of football.” World champion? Decided in an America-only contest? I’d hate to have to defend that as a true, honest, and fair description of the game.
Rep. Gary G. Miller (R-Ca.) has introduced the “Championship Fairness Act,” which would bar any university from receiving any federal funds if it maintained a Division I football team but did not participate in a playoff system for the football championship. The best argument for Miller’s proposal is that it would cut off funds that probably shouldn’t be going to universities anyway.
Some legislators appear to view debating BCS as relief from performing more onerous duties. Rep. Gene Green (D-Tex.) proclaimed: “Our Energy and Commerce Committee has been spending weeks, and actually months now, working on carbon sequestration and health care, and this is much more fun to talk about.”
Wonderful. Members of the committee have selflessly busied themselves developing proposals to wreck the U.S. economy and nationalize the health care system. So they believe now are entitled to relax by voting to “fix” college football.
It’s not only the House that wants to spend our money talking about “fun” things. So does the world’s greatest deliberative society located on the other side of Capitol Hill.
About the Author
Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is the author and editor of several books, including The Politics of Plunder: Misgovernment in Washington (Transaction).
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Warren Piece| 12.14.09 @ 7:06AM
We're talking about a turgid game where a single touchdown is granted seven points to provide the illusion of "action-packed" and we're to worry about Congress meddling with its purity? Better Congress "fixin'" sports and declaring an endless number of "National Pixie Days" than constantly calculating how to extract new ways to take our property. Priorities, man!
Dixie Pixie| 12.14.09 @ 1:04PM
What --- I get a “National Day”.
How nice of you but quite insane.
Warren Piece| 12.17.09 @ 7:06AM
Of course, Dixie Pixie. No one is suggesting that if Congress fiddles with college football then they won't fiddle with our properties. Nevertheless, like it or not, Conservatives would be well advised to pick their battles. In the grand scheme of things, which college/university wins the Orange Bowl is forgotten a mere few weeks--it doesn't matter. Unless one is already insane, it has no impact on how we live. But right now we have Liberal moves before us that will result in massive changes in how we live our lives. Once the government succeeds in "nationalizing" our healthcare, it truly will be a bell that can't be unrung. In theory, nationalized healthcare can be undone by good old fashioned Democracy. Historically, however, the best that we have achieved is applying amendments to such massive programs. Priorities, man!
Ryan| 12.14.09 @ 8:32AM
One, the article is generally right about that this isn't something that our legislators should be wasting our tax dollars dealing with.
The rest...meh. The BCS has consistently produced a genuine national champion, with only the rare instance of a school being left out. I personally favor a tweaking, NOT a playoff system (more conferences, strength of schedule given greater weight, drop the Notre Dame clause). The current regular season should remain the playoff.
Playoffs are rarely about who is best. They are about who is streaking (see the NCAA basketball tourney). There are several instances where the best football team didn't get in the Super Bowl.
One other thing that needs consideration - the old bowl system was far more flawed, with few #1 vs #2 matchups. Yes, the BCS has issues, but they typically come from schools that wouldn't get in a bowl game if they were in a major conference (sorry TCU, but beating two mediocre ranked teams does NOT a National Champion bid make.)
Eric Damon| 12.14.09 @ 2:20PM
Dude, the BCS has NOT consistently produced a genuine national champion! When a tw loss LSU team is given a chance to win a title, when undefeated teams are left out right and left (Utah, TCU, Cincy, Auburn) you are not getting a true national champion. What we get in college football on a yearly basis is the fulfillment of preseason polling; if you are ranked high in the preseason polls you have a shot, but if you aren't...as most non-BCS league schools aren't...you are SOL.
And playoffs generally do determine who the best team is; look at the NBA championship. The Lakers beat the Magic four times out of six...because they were better. And in college football, Appalachian State University has won 3 out of the last four national titles at the D-1AA (FCS) level because they were the best in the division. Tournaments at least give a team a chance to get on the field of play to either win or lose, not be left out because some pollster who votes based on a belief that one conference is simply better than another doesn't think you're good enough.
And we can agree that the BCS has issues, chief among them that it is not designed to crown a real champion, but to make money. I have nothing against making money, but the BCS conference presidents should just admit that the system is designed to get as much cash into the coffers of the SEC, ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, and Pac-10 as possible. That's why the door is shut to a Boise State, a Utah, or a TCU not any considerations of whether or not the teams are good enough.
Ken (Old Texican)| 12.14.09 @ 8:33AM
College athletes ought to at least earn minimum wage...shouldn't they?
Colleges in less demanding conferences should not be candidates for national title regardless of their record.
I was sorta' proud when Baylor U. stepped up to the big twelve. We get murderized, but our kids are watched by the same pro-scouts as Texas U. and the rest.
Heh, Baylor doesn't even have a basket weaving major for athletes.
Read "Meat On The Hoof" for an inside glimpse at college football.
JP| 12.14.09 @ 9:12AM
Ken,
Chicago Bear fans will be forever greatful. Baylor gave Chicago Mike Singletary. Other notable Texas connections are Mike Ditka (The Dallas Cowboys), Steve McMichael (U of Texas), Dennis Gentry (Baylor), and Reggie Phillips (SMU).
Personally, I could care less about college fooball or pro football anymore. However, I think Congress should stay out of it. Our lawmakers will foul things up even worse than what they are now. We have more important problems to solve.
Bo Darville| 12.14.09 @ 10:17AM
Maybe Congress should just vote for who the National Champion should be?
Stephen Zierak| 12.14.09 @ 10:21AM
Any Republican who proposes or supports Congressional meddling in the BCS or college sports in general obviously doesn't understand the meaning of "limited" in limited government, and should be retired by his or her constituents at the earliest possible moment. Do these people understand the trouble our nation faces, and the socialist remedies that are being foisted on us? Get real!
Publius| 12.14.09 @ 10:45AM
Bo, why Congress? This is a job custom made for the annointed one.
Al Adab| 12.14.09 @ 10:51AM
But if Congress is kept busy with issues of this importance, they would keep their hands off the economy and health care; cap and trade and whatever else they intend to muck up. Better for us all. Let's demand action on the BCS.
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 10:57AM
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Derek Leaberry| 12.14.09 @ 11:41AM
That Congress is meddling in college football when it is running a government with $ 1.5 trillion deficits is absurd and a sad commentary of America 2009.
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 12:22PM
The American Spectator : More BCS From Congress University Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Dean| 12.14.09 @ 12:30PM
I am no fan of the BCS arrangement. There should be a playoff system such as in Division II football. The championship game could be played in various locations on a rotating basis, such as the Rose Bowl or Orange Bowl. But for God's sake, keep Congress out of the matter; whatever they touch they ruin completely.
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Scott A Joseph, MD| 12.14.09 @ 2:21PM
Wah, Wah, Zoo, Zoo...Give 'em Hell, TCU!
Al Adab| 12.14.09 @ 2:44PM
TCU should play Texas for the championship.
Boise could play 'Bama
JohnD| 12.14.09 @ 2:44PM
There needs to be a college playoff. Declaring a "Champion" when several conferences are excluded (TCU, Cincy, Utah last year) IS a decepetive practice.
There are 11 Div I conferences: Take the 11 champs of each conference and have a playoff, like so:
(1) Play-in Round (December):
Big East vs. Conf. USA
MAC vs. Sun Belt
WAC vs. Mountain West
(2) Round of Eight (New Years day Bowls):
Orange Bowl: ACC vs. Big East/Conf USA winner
Sugar Bowl: SEC vs. MAC/Sun Belt winner
Cotton/Fiesta: Big 12 vs. Mt West/WAC winner
Rose Bowl: Pac 10 vs. Big 10 (Tradition)
(3) Semifinals: With these New Years bowls decided you are down to 4 teams, two games, played on weeknights in prime time during NFL playoffs; Bowl sites can bid on the games.
(4) National Title game on Saturday of Super Bowl off-week.
There! Everyone has a shot, everyone is in the mix, a real Champion, the Bowl system is preserved (non-BCS bowls can pick through the also-rans, like they do now), new revenue stream for NCAA - everyone should be happy! Problem solved.
GW| 12.14.09 @ 10:34PM
So florida, who lost in the sec title game doesn't get in the playoffs yet the Sun Belt winner does?
Fail....
JohnD| 12.15.09 @ 9:04AM
You have to win your conference before playing for the championship. How can Florida be the second best team in the SEC but the best in the USA? That logic fails.
Florida was annointed a great team by the pundits; they lost on the field. . .
JP| 12.14.09 @ 3:13PM
The following can be expected from Congress if they craft a BCS Law:
1)Look for Universities in the states of New York, California, Vermont, Mass, and Illinois to get automatic births every year. Conversely, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma will have to fight for one available birth. You don't expect Barney Frank, Diana Feinstein, and Chucky Schummer are going to let a crisis go to waste?
2)The LGBT Alliance will force the NCAA to university cheerleaders with transvestites.
3)Congress will force the NCAA to allow Imans to give an Islamic prayer before every game.
4)Congress will force the NCAA to allow Burka clad Islamic women to march during halftime.
5)Chicago's Cook County Democratic Party will provide the refs for the play-offs.
6)Statisticians from CRU will provide the game's statisticians.
7)All revenues generated from the play-off system will be taxed at 100%, with all of the proceeds going to President Obama's future defense fund.
8)Rahm Emmanual will be appointed lifetime CEO and director of the instant replay and rules committee.
9)Using the Interstate Commerce Clause, Congress reserves the right to regulate all college recruiting.
10)If the College play-offs do not generate at least $10 billion in revenue, Congress reserves the right to levy a 25 cent tax on all soda pop and use it to fund item 7.
Let the games begin! Go University of Vermont! (BTW, if Vermont doesn't have a football team, the University of Texas's football team must moved to Vermont at its own expense, or face a $250,000 fine for every player. If it fails to bring home the trophy, all players will be shipped to Kabul to do community outreach work for a period determined by Rahm Emmanual and Senator Leahy).
Al Adab| 12.14.09 @ 3:27PM
They may be a first amendment problem here as Football is the state religion of Texas.
We will have to consult with Old Texican to see if there is some way around that.
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 4:14PM
The American Spectator : More BCS From Congress by กิ๊กก๊อก : ตามหาฝันบนโลกออนไลน์ links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.14.09 @ 5:23PM
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C.K. Amos| 12.14.09 @ 7:33PM
For this absurdity, Congress should be tarred, feathered and run out of D.C.
Good Lord, the country's going to hell in a handbasket and they stick their fingers into collegiate football?
Throw'em all out, next election.
What's next? Bread and circuses? Oh, wait, Emporer Barackus Husseinus Obamus the Magnificent's probably already plannning for that.
Bums, all.
Buckeye fan from way back| 12.16.09 @ 9:52PM
I am so torn, I HATE the BCS. It is nothing but a bunch of good ole boys who do nothing but argue over who is first. There choice often has nothing to do with the reality of college football but more of a current favorite.
HOWEVER......
Whatever congress does always ends up much worse. Congress's meddling would completely ruin college football. I can see the NEW and MANY federal regulations and czar(s).
I despise the BCS but hate what congress would do to the game I love. The BCS is something I can tolerate but congress ruining college football is totally unacceptable.
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Bell| 12.25.09 @ 9:11AM
What does Congress have to do with sports? You obviously didn't SEE the hearing, because if did you would of heard Rep. Barton said that these schools receive a lot money from Federal and State Government. The BCS system isn't fair half of the teams no matter the talent are eliminated from a National Championship before the season even begins. The votes for who plays in these bowl games are wrong as well. Each major conference has a vote, then there's just 1 vote for everyone else, and then Norte Dame gets their own vote??? It makes absolutely no sense. Someone needs to fix it and I wish Congress didn't have to jump in but the BCS committee continues to ignore these obvious problems without any correction.
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Waco Cars | 9.9.10 @ 5:53PM
I agree with Dean. Not a huge fan of the BCS whatsoever. A playoff system in place would be a lot more exciting in the end and give every team their chance. It would be a terrible thing for Congress to get involved.