John Elway's Horsefaced Heroes; Week 7 NCAA FB Thread

Just to answer the question WAAAAAAAY back -- Florida last played a BCS-conference opponent not named Miami or Florida State in 1991, when they lost at Syracuse. They played Louisville in 1992, but UL was an independent at the time. 1991 was the first year of the Big East football conference.

 

You mean "Miami or Florida State," I assume, because the Gators and Canes played a few years ago. 1991 was also the last year before the SEC expanded and went to an 8-game conference schedule (from 6), which is probably the reason Florida would give if you asked them why they don't play a tougher non-conference schedule.

 

Yes, that's what I meant. I shall amend my post, and I shall send you several rupees for catching the error of my ways.

 

Part of me wants to see a Cincinnati-Boise State title game, which could get thumped soundly in the TV ratings and pave the road for a real playoff.

What I'd like to see even more is those two teams (and maybe TCU as well for good measure) go undefeated and then get passed over for a one or two-loss Florida, Texas, USC or whomever from a "power" conference.

Those schools would have every reason to whine at that point.

The system -- like all political systems -- is set up to protect the interests of those in power. If they can't have a playoff, how can you settle such a debate? Maybe it would be time to split Division I up yet again and let the WAC, MWC, C-USA, Mid-America Conference and Sun Belt have their own championship system.

 

Based on the statements of the Big 10, I think we'd be more likely to see the current system blown up in favor of returning to the prior bowl system than for a playoff.

 

The old system wouldn't be that bad - if things played out as expected:

Rose: USC-Iowa
Fiesta: Texas-Boise State
Sugar: Alabama-Cincinnati
Orange: Florida - Miami

 

No, they're not. It may seem that way, but the sample size is far too small and the variables to numerous to say that.

Two times they had one loss and "as much claim as anyone" and didn't get a chance.

One time they were one of three unbeaten teams, and someone else got left out.

Oklahoma seems to be the Golden Child, but that's about all, if anything, you can take from the past few years.

Auburn could make the claim that "We have zero chance, because even if we go undefeated we can't play for the title," and that would be equally erroneous.

 

Actually, the REAL old system would probably look something like this:

Rose: USC-Iowa
Sugar: Florida-Georgia Tech
Orange: Kansas-Miami
Cotton: Texas-Alabama
Fiesta: Notre Dame-Penn State