Q. How long has the Bowl Championship Series been in place?
A. It has been operating for six years. It has tried to match the No. 1 and No. 2 Division I-A college football teams in the country based on a compilation of poll ratings and computer rankings.
Q. So what’s the problem now?
A For the first time in its history, the BCS has ignored a consensus No. 1 team in the coaches and writers polls, Southern Cal. The final BCS standings have Oklahoma, a 35-7 loser to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game, playing against Louisiana State, a 34-13 winner over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference title game.
Q. Has this ever happened before?
A. In 2001, the polls had Miami and Oregon as the top two teams. The computers said Nebraska, a team that did not win its conference, should play the Hurricanes. Miami won easily. In 2000, the polls had Oklahoma and Miami as the top two teams. The computers said Florida State, a loser to Miami during the regular season, should play in the title game. Oklahoma beat Florida State for the championship.
Q. What is the inherent flaw in the BCS?
A. Anytime the top three teams have the same record, the system must pick two of them, leaving one team out in the cold.
Q. Why is college football the only major sport that does not decide its champion on the field with a playoff system?
A. Money. College football feels indebted to the bowl system, which has been in place since the days of the leather helmet. Some college presidents and athletic directors feel the season is too long already. Adding a playoff system would elongate that season. There’s no uniform approach to the conferences as it is. The Big 12 and SEC have playoff games that funnel millions of dollars into the coffers of the schools and conferences. Neither the Big Ten, Big East nor Pac-10 has a playoff system to crown a conference champion.
Q. How long will the BCS be in effect?
A. The contract runs out after the 2005 season.
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