January 26, 2009

Mountain West to makes its case for BCS status

According to USA Today, Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson has been instructed by the conference's nine presidents to request automatic qualifiication status from the BCS.

Thompson plans to meet with BCS commissioner John Swofford (ACC) in the coming weeks to request that Swofford put the MWC's request on the table during the BCS's spring meetings in April.

"The argument I will hear back (from the BCS) is, 'Craig, here it is. It's done. It's been agreed to. It's signed,' " Thompson says. "That doesn't mean you can't put it on the table

"One of the options would be to visit with the BCS coordinator … just to lay out our position."

He adds, "I would not be optimistic. As I explained to them (the Mountain West presidents), it's a series of legal contracts among 11 conferences, four bowls, two TV partners with yet another TV partner coming in. I would not see much of a relaxation."

For his part, Swofford is already putting the word on the street that the BCS expects the Mountain West to abide by the current agreement - which the MWC signed onto - that outlines a path to BCS status that "incorporates the strength of a league as a whole over a series of years."

The BCS has created an opening for one of the non-automatic qualifying conferences to gain AQ status at least temporarily, drawing up a formula that factors in the number of top 25 teams, finish of the highest-ranked team and average rank of all teams over a four-year period. But Thompson says his presidents are pushing for the same annual entree afforded the ACC, SEC and other marquee conferences.

They not only point to Utah's No. 6 finish in the BCS' final regular-season standings and 13-0 record, including a 31-17 win vs. Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, but also respective No. 11 and 16 rankings by Mountain West co-members Texas Christian and Brigham Young. The ACC and Big East, meanwhile, each had just one team higher than 19th and none higher than 12th.

As our own Ben Prather has pointed out, the MWC is on it's way to BCS status, but not quite there yet. (Did I mention that's coming from Ben?)

Lawsuits, proclamations, as well as general stomping and holding one's breath isn't going to get this resolved, in my opinion. The only "instant in" would be if the MWC signs Notre Dame, so can we stop the foolishness and just get back to solving it on the field? (You know, like the Mountain West *already* agreed to do.)

Contrasting one or two strong years against a BCS conference having one or two weak years only serves to validate the BCS's position that AQ status should be based on wide-ranging performance. The Mountain West needs to prove it's worthy on the field, year-in and year-out.

When there's nothing more to debate, there won't be any debate. Until then, game on.

Comments:

Mountain West to makes its case for BCS status
According to USA Today, Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson has been instructed by the conference's nine presidents to request automatic qualifiication status from the BCS. Thompson plans to meet with BCS commissioner John Swofford (ACC) in the coming weeks to request that Swofford put the MWC's request on the table during the BCS's spring meetings in April.
"The argument I will hear back (from the BCS) is, 'Craig, here it is. It's done. It's been agreed to. It's signed,' " Thompson says. "That doesn't mean you can't put it on the table "One of the options would be to visit with the BCS coordinator … just to lay out our position." He adds, "I would not be optimistic. As I explained to them (the Mountain West presidents), it's a series of legal contracts among 11 conferences, four bowls, two TV partners with yet another TV partner coming in. I would not see much of a relaxation."
For his part, Swofford is already putting the word on the street that the BCS expects the Mountain West to abide by the current agreement - which the MWC signed onto - that outlines a path to BCS status that "incorporates the strength of a league as a whole over a series of years."
The BCS has created an opening for one of the non-automatic qualifying conferences to gain AQ status at least temporarily, drawing up a formula that factors in the number of top 25 teams, finish of the highest-ranked team and average rank of all teams over a four-year period. But Thompson says his presidents are pushing for the same annual entree afforded the ACC, SEC and other marquee conferences. They not only point to Utah's No. 6 finish in the BCS' final regular-season standings and 13-0 record, including a 31-17 win vs. Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, but also respective No. 11 and 16 rankings by Mountain West co-members Texas Christian and Brigham Young. The ACC and Big East, meanwhile, each had just one team higher than 19th and none higher than 12th.
As our own Ben Prather has pointed out, the MWC is on it's way to BCS status, but not quite there yet. (Did I mention that's coming from Ben?) Lawsuits, proclamations, as well as general stomping and holding one's breath isn't going to get this resolved, in my opinion. The only "instant in" would be if the MWC signs Notre Dame, so can we stop the foolishness and just get back to solving it on the field? (You know, like the Mountain West *already* agreed to do.) Contrasting one or two strong years against a BCS conference having one or two weak years only serves to validate the BCS's position that AQ status should be based on wide-ranging performance. The Mountain West needs to prove it's worthy on the field, year-in and year-out. When there's nothing more to debate, there won't be any debate. Until then, game on.