Feb. 15, 2006
SAN DIEGO - Jeff,
I enjoyed the Aztec Insider last week. Listening to Chuck Long's talk got me excited for this fall. Just wanted to ask you about the changes in the BCS and how that relates to us and the Mountain West Conference. Thanks.
Ben
Anaheim, Calif.
Dear Ben:
There are significant changes occurring in the BCS this coming fall, and all of them are good for San Diego State.
First and foremost, there will be an additional game, meaning that 10 teams will participate in the BCS rather than the 8 that have participated in the past. The additional game concept is being called the "one plus one" concept. What that means is that one of the four current BCS hosts (Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Rose Bowl) will actually hold its normal BCS bowl game around New Year's Day, and then will host the National Championship game at that same site a week later.
This is going to be interesting to watch in many ways. First, will the crowds be as strong for that first traditional bowl game in light of the fact that there will be a National Championship game at the same site a week later? Secondly, how will the host city handle the craziness of hosting two major bowl games back to back, with two completely different sets of fans, media, and bowl structure? I know the unbelievable logistical challenges of hosting a Final Four; volunteers alone in Minneapolis numbered over 3,000. I can't imagine coordinating that for two full consecutive weeks! The Fiesta Bowl is the first one in the rotation to host this "doubleheader" next year, so we will see!
Another important change in the BCS is that, beginning next year, the conference automatic qualifications will go away. All conferences must earn their status as automatic qualifiers through a complicated new formula that weighs overall conference success over several years. If the Mountain West Conference, for example, has enough of its teams finish in the Top 25 over a period of years, it can gain an automatic qualification for its champion. There won't be any significant changes for a while, but in three years, there could be a change that would affect the Big East's or the ACC's automatic qualification.
Another important change is that there will immediately be more access to a BCS game for the league. In fact, under the 2006 guidelines, TCU would have qualified for BCS game this past season.
Lastly, there has been a marginal change in overall distribution of the BCS payouts to the conferences, which will provide the Mountain West Conference (and consequently, San Diego State) with a slightly larger piece of the financial pie. This will probably mean about $100,000 next year for each of the Conference schools.
Great question, and we are excited about our chances to contend for that Mountain West Championship next year and in the years ahead!