Reward Mediocrity, NCAA approves 4 new bowl games.

[ScottVib]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2424711

The 5th BCS Bowl
International Bowl - Toronto
New Mexico Bowl - Albuquerque
Birmingham Bowl - Birmingham


No bowls have been officially rejected for next year, although the Houston Bowl is in serious trouble (they still haven't paid the Mountain West and Big XII for last years game) and their approval/denial has been delayed until June.

[Young Drachma]

I'm ok with it. There are so many schools and the threshold on hosting these bowls seems low,why not.

[ScottVib]

Did the NCAA officially restore the exemption that allowed 6-6 to qualify for a bowl (there was a special exemption that allowed 6-6 to qualify the last two 12 game season years)? If not there could be some bowls scrambling to fill slots.

FWIW the International Bowl is Big East vs. MAC

[Young Drachma]

Yeah they did. You can be .500 and get into a bowl if 1) your conference has a contract with the bowl or 2) if there are no other teams available

[ScottVib]

This also means that over 50% of NCAA Division 1A football teams will participate in postseason play.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, I was wondering about that International Bowl. Where are they playing it? SkyDome? (Rogers Centre..whatever..)

[cartman]

They also changed the rule that a win over a 1AA team only counts once every four years towards your minimum number of wins for bowl eligibility. Now you can count one 1AA win each season towards bowl eligibility.

[molson]

This also means that over 50% of NCAA Division 1A football teams will participate in postseason play.

So would this make it technically possible for a team with a losing record to play in a bowl?

[ScottVib]

It was already possible if a team with a losing record won their conference (see North Texas 4 years ago).

There should be just over 50% of NCAA Division 1A with winning records, remembering that teams will schedule their one Division 1AA team (one free win).

[TazFTW]

The New Mexico Bowl is Mountain West vs WAC.

[cartman]

There should be just over 50% of NCAA Division 1A with winning records, remembering that teams will schedule their one Division 1AA team (one free win).

Somebody forgot to tell Stanford that last year against UC-Davis...

:D

[Young Drachma]

The New Mexico Bowl is Mountain West vs WAC.

Woo..somewhere else for Wyoming to go!

Not next year, tho. We'll stink.

[General Mike]

I hope the Houston Bowl doesn't get dropped otherwise the Big East is F'd.

[Ksyrup]

I don't see this as rewarding mediocrity. These aren't playoffs, they are just exhibitions. Exhibitions that people want to pay to see, even if the teams are great. What's wrong with that?

[cartman]

I don't see this as rewarding mediocrity. These aren't playoffs, they are just exhibitions. Exhibitions that people want to pay to see, even if the teams are great. What's wrong with that?

I think it is a bad sign for those of us that are looking for a playoff to be implemented. Another reason for concern, at least to me, is that they are doing away with the Divison 1A and Division 1AA naming scheme. The 1AA teams didn't like the "second class" association with the name. They are now debating what to call the two divisions, with the leading contenders for new names being 1A called "Division 1 Bowl Association" and 1AA called "Division 1 Playoff Association".

[Buccaneer]

This also means that over 50% of NCAA Division 1A football teams will participate in postseason play.

That makes me very sick.

[Young Drachma]

Another reason for concern, at least to me, is that they are doing away with the Divison 1A and Division 1AA naming scheme. The 1AA teams didn't like the "second class" association with the name. They are now debating what to call the two divisions, with the leading contenders for new names being 1A called "Division 1 Bowl Association" and 1AA called "Division 1 Playoff Association".

Interesting.

[Ksyrup]

It's "post-season" play in name only! This isn't a post-season that culminates in anything but cash payouts for all but 2 teams.

I understand the concern about the playoff system, but that's an entirely different issue. If you're going to have a bowl system, the number of teams who get to participate doesn't matter to me in the least. If people want to pay to see their 5-7 alma mater play in the Kalamazoo Bowl, then let them.

[stevew]

I'm with Ksyrup on this one. I don't think its really "postseason" either if you don't have a chance at actually winning anyting important.

[Ksyrup]

It's an exhibition that provides the school with some cash, gives the kids an extra game to play and a fun trip, and allows the boosters to brag. That's pretty much it.

[Young Drachma]

It's an exhibition that provides the school with some cash, gives the kids an extra game to play and a fun trip, and allows the boosters to brag. That's pretty much it.

Yeah and honestly, I don't want them to change it so the games are a lot meaningless. Few things are nicer ending your career as a winner, even if it's the winner of the Shark Bites Fruit Snacks Honolulu Bowl.

[Franklinnoble]

Somebody forgot to tell Stanford that last year against UC-Davis...

:D

That was awesome. Davis has had a very good program for a long time, and I expect they'll continue to be a team to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, I think they're still disqualified from postseason play for a few more years.

[Simms]

International Bowl - Toronto


Hrm...I hadn't even heard this was being considered. And I'm honestly not sure what they're hoping to accomplish. US College football just isn't that big a deal up here, and unless they're planning on inviting some marquee programs (Michigan, Notre Dame, etc.), I can't imagine it would draw all that well.

I hope I'm wrong, but this seems like a very strange decision.

[Swaggs]

I hope the Houston Bowl doesn't get dropped otherwise the Big East is F'd.

The Big East will have a tie-in (vs MAC) with the bowl game in Toronto and partner with the MWC and MAC (not sure the arrangements) for the one in Birmingham from what I have read.

[Franklinnoble]

Are there any football teams in Canadian colleges?

[Young Drachma]

Are there any football teams in Canadian colleges?

They play Canadian Football. There are some in Western Canada, in BC that play in the NAIA or at least, they used to. But that's it.

[Young Drachma]

http://www.cisport.ca/e/football/index.cfm

[Simms]

They play Canadian Football. There are some in Western Canada, in BC that play in the NAIA or at least, they used to. But that's it.

Simon Fraser plays NAIA basketball, I believe, but that's it. And maybe just women's at that. And we do have our own collegiate football, but it's obviously far inferior to the American game. Any decent Canadian high school players just go south for University anyway.

Occasionally C.I.S. will produce a late-round draft pick, but as an example, Jesse Lumsden broke every known Canadian career rushing record two seasons ago. He played in the East-West Shrine Bowl or something like that, and the best he got was a non-roster invite to Seahawks camp last year. He was cut and ended up in the CFL.

[Simms]

Dola...

Canadian universities don't offer athletic scholarships (in any sport), so that certainly plays a part in the disparity as well.

[General Mike]

The Big East will have a tie-in (vs MAC) with the bowl game in Toronto and partner with the MWC and MAC (not sure the arrangements) for the one in Birmingham from what I have read.

I am not thrilled about those choices. At least Houston on New Year's Eve has some panache.

[Passacaglia]

Somebody forgot to tell Stanford that last year against UC-Davis...

:D

I saw Eastern Michigan lose to Indiana State back in 2001. Okay, EMU doesn't have the big name that Stanford does, but still...

[Logan]

This also means that over 50% of NCAA Division 1A football teams will participate in postseason play.

NHL - 30 teams, 16 of which are participating in "true" postseason play.

NBA - 30 teams, 16 of which are participating in "true" postseason play, 3 of which have .500 records or worse.

What's the problem here?

[Swaggs]

I am not thrilled about those choices. At least Houston on New Year's Eve has some panache.

I think Toronto could be a pretty decent destination. Birmingham probably has its good points, too. Jacksonville (Gator Bowl) is far, far from my favorite city, but the alumni and Universities usually know how to make these events into good times. I wasn't overly excited about Charlotte (Tire Bowl) the year we went there, but we had a really great time (other than getting whipped in the game).

[Neuqua]

I see nothing wrong with any of this. It's especially nice for the mid majors to have a better chance of participating in the postseason and have their kids enjoy the same kind of fun and activities as those from the BCS schools.

[cartman]

I'd go to the bowl in Toronto if they had 'bbor's Taco Bell Challenge' at halftime.

[KWhit]

Bowl games suck. Now they just suck a little bit more than they did last year.

[Buccaneer]

NHL - 30 teams, 16 of which are participating in "true" postseason play.

NBA - 30 teams, 16 of which are participating in "true" postseason play, 3 of which have .500 records or worse.

What's the problem here?

Out of 30-32 teams, 8 to 12 (max) should be rewarded with a post-season. Having that many qualify in the NHL and NBA is and has been a problem. And now we got college football following the same path. Make the regular season mean something and have the post-season mean something more, not cheapening them.

[Logan]

Out of 30-32 teams, 8 to 12 (max) should be rewarded with a post-season. Having that many qualify in the NHL and NBA is and has been a problem. And now we got college football following the same path. Make the regular season mean something and have the post-season mean something more, not cheapening them.

I agree with what you're saying. But the difference is that in those leagues, they're still competing for a title. In college football, you have all these teams who are just playing for money. What's a few more?

EDIT: And I don't buy the "make the regular season mean more" argument. Without a playoff system, maybe 80-90 teams already have no shot at winning the championship.

[Buccaneer]

I think there are smaller victories in the regular season: conference title, division title, [insert name] cup/bowl/shoe/whatever, etc. College football has been long on tradition, regionalism and enthusiasm, which makes it somewhat unique among sports leagues. Same thing for the post-season where bowl games have some real histories. Having .500 (or just above) teams play in bowl games could turn them into jokes or mockery, which cheapens them. We have already joked about the Weed-Wacker Bowl, do we need more?

[Buccaneer]

Couple of related thoughts. When you think of college football, what comes to mind? To me, the first thing are the regional rivalries. In some parts of the country there is nothing bigger than rivalry weekend. I would also add homecoming weekend. These are the things that makes the regular season more important than a jokey bowl game. More of the former, less of the latter.

[Young Drachma]

Couple of related thoughts. When you think of college football, what comes to mind? To me, the first thing are the regional rivalries. In some parts of the country there is nothing bigger than rivalry weekend. I would also add homecoming weekend. These are the things that makes the regular season more important than a jokey bowl game. More of the former, less of the latter.

We have rivalries against BYU and Colorado State here at Wyoming. But guess what? None of those games mean nearly as much as winning the Las Vegas Bowl two years ago.

In some parts of the country and for some schools, the rivalries are a decent deal, but...the fans just want to play in the post-season.

We're in an era where BASEBALL, the sport that used to just have two teams in the playoffs, has eight teams in the playoffs, where the leagues play each other all throughout the year...let's just say that the nostalgia went out a long time ago in pretty much all the sports.

Hell, when I went to a D3 school, I hated the idea of a playoff largely because it was such a letdown after a long season to just have one champion. But there isn't a financial incentive at that level to bowls, so it'll never happen. It'd be fun if there was though.

Everyone loves a winner. Bowl system isn't going anywhere and so long as it's the way it is now, I can be okay with that.

Not as if it's not corrupt as hell anyway. A playoff might make it less corrupt, but...doubt the NCAA cares to offer a tournament since they're getting the cash too from the way its setup now.

[Buccaneer]

We have rivalries against BYU and Colorado State here at Wyoming. But guess what? None of those games mean nearly as much as winning the Las Vegas Bowl two years ago.

In some parts of the country and for some schools, the rivalries are a decent deal, but...the fans just want to play in the post-season.

We're in an era where BASEBALL, the sport that used to just have two teams in the playoffs, has eight teams in the playoffs, where the leagues play each other all throughout the year...let's just say that the nostalgia went out a long time ago in pretty much all the sports.

Hell, when I went to a D3 school, I hated the idea of a playoff largely because it was such a letdown after a long season to just have one champion. But there isn't a financial incentive at that level to bowls, so it'll never happen. It'd be fun if there was though.

Everyone loves a winner. Bowl system isn't going anywhere and so long as it's the way it is now, I can be okay with that.

Not as if it's not corrupt as hell anyway. A playoff might make it less corrupt, but...doubt the NCAA cares to offer a tournament since they're getting the cash too from the way its setup now.

You can't be serious. You (and I) live in Mountain West territory which has almost no tradition and no rivalries, comparativey speaking. Judging anything from the perspective of Wyoming football is laughable. Most high school games in the South, Texas and parts of the Midwest are much bigger than anything within Mountain West. We get a team going to a bowl game and we don't travel. The bowl system rightly don't and shouldn't care about us and for us (Wyoming, AFA, etc.) to take issues with bowl selections is a joke.

[ScottVib]

NHL - 30 teams, 16 of which are participating in "true" postseason play.

NBA - 30 teams, 16 of which are participating in "true" postseason play, 3 of which have .500 records or worse.

What's the problem here?


To paraphrase my mother:

If the NHL or NBA want to jump off a cliff, you would too?

[Young Drachma]

You can't be serious. You (and I) live in Mountain West territory which has almost no tradition and no rivalries, comparativey speaking. Judging anything from the perspective of Wyoming football is laughable. Most high school games in the South, Texas and parts of the Midwest are much bigger than anything within Mountain West. We get a team going to a bowl game and we don't travel. The bowl system rightly don't and shouldn't care about us and for us (Wyoming, AFA, etc.) to take issues with bowl selections is a joke.

I know. My high school rivalry in New Jersey was far better than anything out here. And I make fun of things here all the time in that regard. "My high school is older than your state.." stuff like that.

I just don't ever see UW winning a national title in football. (Or basketball, even.) So...from that perspective, you know, of the little guy..I say, give them their day in the sunshine. That's what the current system does.

But of course, a national title playoff would be the optimal way to do it, especially right before the Super Bowl. It'd be bigger than basketball's title game, since the Final Four is often a dud anyway.

[ScottVib]

The Birmingham Bowl is going to be Big East vs. C-USA.

[Logan]

To paraphrase my mother:

If the NHL or NBA want to jump off a cliff, you would too?

See my previous response to Bucc. Those are two leagues where all these excess, sub-par teams are getting a shot at winning the title. More teams playing in more meaningless games doesn't have any impact on anything.

[Captain2711]

Although I would love to see a playoff as a fan, the bowl games serve a greater purpose for the smaller schools. As a member of Rutgers football, it was a great honor to go to the Insight Bowl this past year in Phoenix. It helped develop the program immensely. You get four more weeks of practice which is great to develop your younger talent, you can schedule practices on the weekend in December during recruiting visits( huge for recruits who wanna see how the team practices) and for some of the smaller teams it is their only chance for recruits to see them on national television. Plus it is also the only recognition that some of these players get. Everyday there gifts for the players in their hotel rooms. These are some of the only things these players can receive. When we were in Phoenix, we were given the same treatment as Fiesta Bowl participant Notre Dame. Played on the same practice field, stayed in the same hotel and got the same gifts. It is important for the local economy and for the sponsoring schools. We practiced at a little community college in Scottsdale that gets their fields maintained by the Fiesta Bowl committee all year. It was first class all the way and for the first time playing at Rutgers meant something. Just one man's opinion.

[Wolfpack]

Having .500 (or just above) teams play in bowl games could turn them into jokes or mockery, which cheapens them.

Considering that this has been happening for years now, you're a bit late to stand athwart history yelling, "STOP!" ;)

[Buccaneer]

There weren't that much difference 6-5 and 6-6 teams except now both are eligible.