Orange and Blue Hue » The Mormon Tabernacle Crier

The Mormon Tabernacle Crier

The University of Utah won its second BCS bowl game in 2009, becoming the first non-BCS conference team to do so. Despite this accomplishment, the people of Utah are sad . . . very sad. In fact Mark Shurtleff, the Utah attorney general is preparing a lawsuit against the BCS. Apparently the ongoing probe against famed Utah Fundamentalist Church leader Warren Jeffs, the rise of violent crime in some Utah school districts increasing anywhere from 40 to over 100% in the past few years and a growing illegal immigration problem are minor issues compared to the real problem confronting the citizens of Utah . . . the Bowl Championship Series.

Mark Shurtleff, the Utah attorney general, is gathering contracts, statistics, economic data and experts, and expects to be able to file suit against the BCS in June.

“From the very first kickoff of the college football season, the BCS uses its monopoly powers to put more than half of the schools at a disadvantage,” Shurtleff said. His investigation comes after an undefeated University of Utah team was relegated to the Sugar Bowl in January with no chance to play for a national championship. (ESPN)

Despite the fact that Utah has gone to more BCS bowls in the past 5 years than Auburn, UCLA, Michigan, Alabama, Florida State and several dozen other top historic football powers, Shurtleff feels “cheated” and “jilted” by the current system. It’s as if the Attorney General’s constituents fancied a girl who ended up choosing another and, in reference to the famous Beatles song of 1968, has gone “Rocky Racoon” and wishes to shoot out the legs of their rival.

And apparently the Utah AG isn’t the only government official that feels they can clean up collegiate sports. Orrin Hatch, a long time senator from the state of Utah who sits on a number of important legislative committees has decided to throw his hat into the ring.

Hatch has added the BCS to the agenda of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, and he intends to hold an investigatory hearing and to introduce legislation.

“I’m not sure now what the legislation will provide, but anything would be better than what we have now,” Hatch said. “I agree with President Obama that a playoff system would be a significant improvement.”

Hatch, a Republican stalwart, will have support from a number of Democrats on his BCS legislation. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, also wants action on the BCS, suggesting it “is a racket, it is white-collar crime. It’s clearly, clearly antitrust.” (ESPN)

Oh my, what a shock here. Hatch, who clearly announced his animosity against the BCS following Utah’s inability to get into the National Championship Game is joined by Representative Abercrombie, who announced his opposition to the BCS after his state school, the University of Hawaii, was not allowed to play for the National Championship after THEIR undefeated season.

Hmmm . . . does anyone see a pattern here? Apparently the LA Times doesn’t quite buy what Senator Hatch is selling.

Hatch says the BCS system has “proven itself to be inadequate, not only for those of us who are fans of college football, but for anyone who believes that competition and fair play should have a role in collegiate sports.”

And who better to straighten out the collegiate athletic scene than members of Congress who’ve never played serious football, accepted $4,700 raises this winter as a sign of shared sacrifice in these tough economic times and who now celebrate their meticulously-planned, gazillion-dollar bailout of Wall Street that’s worked out so well with companies like AIG? (LA Times)

The monopoly issue itself, while interesting, ignores a few important factors. First, the teams that are guaranteed spots in the BCS were largely guaranteed spots in the bowl games that make up the BCS long before the BCS existed. The Sugar, Orange and Rose Bowls all had existing agreements and historic connections to the conferences they are still tied too. On the Fiesta Bowl’s arrangement with the Big 12 is recent.

Second, the BCS doesn’t form a committee to select the teams that play in the National Championship game . . . a combination of human sportswriters, coaches, sports figures and computers do. So really, it’s not the BCS’s fault that Utah didn’t get into the title game. The fault really lies at the feet of people like Earle Bruce, Boomer Esiason, Mark Dienhart, Thurman Thomas, Gene Corrigan, Bobby Bowden, Frank Solich, Ron Zook, Les Miles, Gary Patterson, etc. Why don’t we start some kind of criminal tribunal for these folks? Similar in the vein of the infamous Spanish Inquisition we can torture confessions from the innocent and Senators like Orrin Hatch can take the place of official catholic clergy. What a great idea that would be!!!

Finally, if you prove a monopoly against antitrust what does that do? It essentially reverts the entire college football landscape back to the pre-BCS system. Now in Hatch’s master plan he would force the NCAA (wow, the federal government forcing a private academic entity to do things their way . . . how American) to create a playoff system for the Bowl Subdivision series. And seeing first hand how great the U.S. Government is at running the show we can surely expect the collapse of the bowls and the eventual slow death of college football in about a single senatorial term.

Shurtlheff doesn’t even have an endcard to play. He just wants to prove monopoly and let the original bowl system take over again. Wow . . . that’ll help Utah get to a National Championship right? I mean when the number one and two teams are playing the tenth and sixth ranked teams respectively, I’m sure 4th or 5th ranked Utah will ROCKET to the top in the final polls following their impressive beat down of Fresno State in the Holiday Bowl right? Thus garnering Utah’s first and obviously heavenly ordained national title and cementing the utter brilliance and legend of Mr. Shurtlheff.

Excuse me if I delay my jubilation just yet as I ponder what might ACTUALLY occur. I, personally, would like to see a playoff system if it can be implemented without destroying that is good about college football. I’m not one of those people who think that the best way to improve college football is to make it a lower version of the NFL; not in any way does that appeal to me. I can’t help but notice that I find the first few rounds of the NCAA tournament more exciting than the final round (except when my team is involved in the finals). I don’t want college football to follow that same route of dilution.

The problem with Mr. Shurtlheff, Mr. Hatch and Mr. Abercrombie are common to that of society. We expect that we have a divine right to gratification and demand that we be given such. And for some reason we feel that the best way to make something better is not to create something better but to destroy what already exists and hope that some improvement springs up randomly on its own. I truly believe that in time we will see something much closer to a playoff in college football but the evolution will be gradual and based on market forces rather than through government interference.

The role of government is not to interfere in every part of society whenever some voting block finds themselves unhappy and doesn’t get their way. Nothing good ever happens at the point of a gun. To all government officials I’d like to remind them that their job is to protect the public from actual threats to life, property and welfare and NOT to protect us from the omnipresent danger of the management of major sporting events. I guess sometimes the line between those two distinct items must seem blurry.

For myself, I can only hope this all ends much like the previously mentioned Beatles song with our two new “Rocky Raccoons” - Hatch and Shurtlheff - stumbling back to their rooms to begin their revival. And who knows, perhaps afterwards they will see events like war, recession and crime as more pressing issues in need of their attention. But of that . . . we can only hope.

24 Comments so far
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I’m a big Gator fan, and I read every post on this blog. Most of the articles and arguments within the articles are well thought-out. However your argument in this article is asinine. Certainly, a state AG has more than enough resources to work on various issues at once.

Utah is the fastest growing state by population in the US. The entire state backs one or two football teams with extreme fervor. Is it really so hard to think the state citizens and general fans of college football feel wronged by the current system when their football team makes such an incredible statement and is summarily left out of the big picture for the second time? Meanwhile, a team like OSU, which accomplishes much less, gets equal or greater recognition?

At least the AG is doing something about the inequality in sports as opposed to just sitting back and writing a lame-ass article about why any effort will fail.

Come on now. You can form better arguments than that.

GR,

Your point being . . . ??? That Government DOES have a major role in legislating sports. Fine, just if that’s your opinion just say so. Don’t try and change the argument to how much suffering the poor people of the land of many wives and no liquor have to bear. Yes, yes. Poor Hawaii, poor Utah, poor Idaho. I also cry when a 26 win mid major from Akron or Binghamton gets snubbed from the NCAA tournament. It’s a tragic situation that we have to cry ourselves to sleep every night with.

Maybe it would tickle your toes to hear someone say “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” in regards to college football but some of us aren’t so trusting.

This has nothing to do with “Let’s fix the system”. It’s simply, “I got my widdle feewings hurt and I want to destroy things.” If you aren’t up on the numerious problems that face the creation and implementation of a playoff system in Division 1A football you should look them up . . . or just watch the NFL. They have instituted a playoff system there you can follow with ferver and blind obedience and not have to worry if an 11 win New England team gets snubbed while an 8 win San Diego team gets in. Because playoffs are the divine implementation of fairness right?

Be careful, KG. According to Senator Shurtleff, you are possessed by the evil spirits of logic and reason. Luckily, he’s wearing his lucky Mormon underwear so that those time-tested principles can be replaced by Jay Cutler-esque immaturity at the first sign of perceived unfairness.

Disclaimer: The preceding ditty is to be interpreted only in satirical purposes.

I apologize in advance if any mature members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were offended by the reference to their clothing.

Nick Calathes going pro, a taste of what other teams have experienced over the past decade. If I remember correctly teams like Ohio State have that problem bout every year with freshman no less. Anyone think this is a problem or is that just the way it has to be. Should college be held out as a place you commit at least a couple years to grow and learn, not as just a stepping stone to the NBA?
What a great Final Four game tonight. Big Ten turned out to be the sleeper conference, LOL ESPN got it so wrong. Mich State was just on par with up to five different teams in that conference.

This is another example of blatant hypocrisy. Hatch is full of sh*t! He’s had 5 years to stand up and voice his displeasure with the system. He didn’t give a damn when Auburn was denied a chance to play in the Championship Game. He said nothing when Hawaii and Michigan didn’t get a shot. But as soon as UTAH gets snubbed he’s all f*cking over it!!! Remember he’s a US SENATOR, not just a part of the Utah State Government like Shurtleheff.

Give me a break Hatch you sleazy slimebag politician. Politicians are the only people who can make lawyers seem like respectable and decent folks.

The only legitimate argument coming from Utah in all of this is that they are being held out of the big cash payday that is the BCS.

Now, do I think OSU should be in a top tier bowl game every year because the competition of the Big 10 (or lack there of) in inadequate? No.

But, I will say in fairness to Utah if Urban Meyer and Jeremy Foley believe a playoff system should be put into effect; I’ll agree. I could careless what the government has to say - it’s not like they have bigger problems to deal with or anything.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge Utah fan, and am thrilled with their success. I’ve always thought that it would be nice for the MWC to have a BCS tie-in, since they are no worse than, say, the ACC or the Big East.

However, this show being put on by the AG and Hatch is just ridiculous and an incredible waste of government resources and influence. Frankly, I consider it to be more grandstanding than sincere concern.

Because let’s face it folks, Utah has much more tradition and is more more accomplished than
Auburn, Michigan, Georgia, or USC.

Okay, so this debate will probably never be settled until college football has a playoff system But in the end, I just don’t think that the Utes got what it takes to eat with the REALLY big dogs.

I’m with the author here. I would like to see a playoff system but I don’t want college football forced into something that could destroy what makes college better than the NFL to me. The idea that the Federal Government legislative or judicial branches would do anything but screw things up is naive.

I’d like a playoff and I think we will eventually get one. These attention craving politicians make me sick. They don’t have the best interest of Utah OR college football at heart. They don’t care about anything but their own political careers.

First, “fair” is a circus with pigs…adequately demonstrated by reFSU…

Second, any time the government gets involved nothing good results…we think the BCS sucks now, well, look out if those guys are “helping”.

Third, Utah gets stiffed? Sorry, don’t care.

I like the idea of the govt forcing the BCS into a playoff system. Why not? After all, most NCAA sports schools are already taking money from the govt and are forced to support not so popular or financially accommodating sports like women’s whatever…

The BCS is making and controlling too much money to ever allow a playoff system. They will have to be forced by fans or by legal or government intervention before they ever allow it. It’s talked about every year with nothing ever done about it.

There are teams with legitimate arguments that are left out of the BCS every year and it’s simply too easy to have a playoff system to ignore it any longer. Baseball has the CWS, and the Basketball Final Four is happening right now.

Just think of the Cinderella teams that may have won a National Championship over the years! And what about the one loss teams that you know could dominate anyone in the country, etc…

I think it’s time for a playoff and if legislative action is what is needed, then so be it. It’s time to bring playoff excitement to college football.

It seems that Mr. Shurtleff & Mr. Hatch along with any others who feel that the BCS is unfair, monopolistic, etc. would be better off filing suit against the NCAA for refusing to endorse, develop or take responsibility and not only allowing but fostering the formation of the BCS…

JMHO…

Sen Hatch is yet another confused conservative, preaching state’s rights when it comes to stopping abortion, but alienating when it comes to medical marijuana. They say they are for small gov’t, and then pull isht like this.

I speak no harshness to consistent conservatives.

I wish big-mouth Foley would speak up and challenge Utah to an impromptu scrimmage game, mocking them with an invitation like: “if they really want to see how the big boys do it. . .”

That should shut them up. I’m serious.

I second what Corey says. Lets schedule the babies, and let them see what nat’l championships are all about. “Got Urban?”

Corey, your comment reminded me of something ironic. A number of years back, Utah was scheduled to play at the Swamp, but they apparently had second thoughts and cancelled. They blew their only chance to prove it on the field.

What a joke! Had Alabama given a rat’s a** about playing in the Sugar Bowl against the almighty Utes, this discussion would be moot. Just because Utah beat a lame, demoralized Bama team does not mean they could have competed with the Gators, Sooners, Trojans, etc….Maybe the politicans should start working on getting the Utes into a real conference. Why should a one-loss team who wins the SEC have to bow-out to an undefeated Mountain West champ?
I’m kind of disappointed this moronic issue is being discussed on this site and even more so that I’m participating…..

The time will come… Maybe after Tebow, and maybe after Meyer… When everyone on this board will have an opportunity to whine about how if there had only been a real playoff system we would have beaten everyone.

It’s why they BCS is tweaked every year, because every year they find another flaw in the system. Only a playoff will fix it, and sooner or later we too will be victimized by the current and always flawed BCS system.

Nope - champs don’t get victimized. Look at the teams that have claimed to be “screwed” by the BCS. When was their last national championship? If you stay relevant, you get your shot.

“I’m a big Gator fan, and I read every post on this blog. Most of the articles and arguments within the articles are well thought-out. However your argument in this article is asinine. Certainly, a state AG has more than enough resources to work on various issues at once.

At least the AG is doing something about the inequality in sports as opposed to just sitting back and writing a lame-ass article about why any effort will fail.

Come on now. You can form better arguments than that. ”

This is an epic post. This blog has gone downhill. This is the only article to come out in weeks, and it’s weak.

Has anyone checked out oh… I d’know.. SPRING TRAINING? there’s around six videos up on youtube. Chris Scott is flashing some style on the practice field. If this is the only newssource you have for Gator sports, you are missing out.

You know, Brad…

If you don’t like it you don’t have to read it…

I like Congress trying to force the idiots in the NCAA into not being the only division/sport that doesn’t decide a champion on the field. Even bowling decides a champion on the lanes, for [bleep’s] sake.

However, I do agree with the tone of this post: Utah has no legitimate claim to anything but the title of “sore loser” at this point.

I am a Michigan transplant who lives in Clearwater now. I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that the main reasons that there isn’t a playoff now are the Big Ten, Pac Ten, Rose Bowl, and the money split by the conferences for the Rose Bowl.

To me, the real “villians” here are those I just mentioned and the bowls in general. As long as the bowls are allowed to dictate whether or not there is a playoff, there will never be one.

Ironically enough, they could very easily do a playoff if they wanted to. The round of sixteen could replace or incorporate the conference championship games on that weekend. The remaining eight teams could be seeded with higher seeds getting home games the next weekend. The next weekend, the semis could be played with higher seeds playing at home. This would leave two teams to play for the National Championship. They could either do it in January, just like they do now.

The bowls and the NC game could be played just like they are now. The only inconvenience would be the major bowls having to wait a few weeks to find out who will play in them. It wouldn’t hurt them anymore than the so-called NC game does now.

That means everybody wins, and everybody should be happy. The bowls get their teams, while the public finally gets a real National Champion determined on the field.

I guess that makes too much sense and would be too easy.

I wish I could edit my post. Obviously, the sentence “They could either do it in January, just like they do now” doesn’t make a lot of sense.

The “or” that I neglected to put at the end is that they could have the NC game in the fourth week like the lower divisions do, just before Christmas, and tell the bowls to take a flying [leap] through a rolling donut.

I am a put up or shut up kind of guy. Have a tounament. Send your conference champ. If you didn’t win your conference, then you are not the best are you? If utah wins, they are the best. If they don’t, they won’t cry about it. Fans just want to see who wins it all. For the colleges, it is all about the money! Florida has a great head coach, and a good program,
you would think they would welcome a play off, if money wasn’t the issue.

If you want more games, Have an NIT tournament.

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