Crashing the BCS Party (Jeff Bailey)

 

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Boise St, TCU, Utah and other mid-majors are here to stay in college football.  Some people say they only play 1 game seasons; others say they should not be considered for a National Championship period; while others believe the shoe does fit for Cinderella.  Both TCU and Utah have been around for 70+ years in Division 1, but they are still considered mid-majors.  Some people don’t even realize TCU actually won the National Championship in 1935 and 1938.  As for Boise State, they have only been in Division 1 since 1996, but have done nothing but wreak havoc on the BCS and win games.  In the 14 years of playing D-1 ball, they have amassed 135 wins.  As a comparison, Ohio State won 130, USC won 126 (including 2005 season), and Florida won 141 in the same span.  Cupcake or not, that is a very impressive feat. 



Is 2010 the year of the Bronco?



  People cannot say that BSU, TCU, and Utah are weak teams because they play weak opponents.  Sure they are in weaker conferences, but that doesn’t mean their team is.  All three of these teams win and win big in their conferences; just like any other great team would do if they were in the same situation.  Currently TCU is #1 in the country in total defense, with Boise State 3rd and Utah 6th.  On top of that, all three teams are in the top 20 in offensive yards per game, and they all rank in the top 10 in points per game.  The only other team to be in the top 10 in both points per game and total defense is Ohio State.  To me, that sounds like a total team package.

  The BCS has not been so kind to these mid-majors, but when they do make it, they have proven that they belong.  BSU is 2-0 in BCS games, while TCU is 0-1 (lost to BSU last year in Fiesta, aka the Cop-out Bowl), and Utah is 2-0.  To increase their BCS value, all three of these teams scheduled 2 teams from automatic qualifier conferences this season; and they are currently 5-0 in those games.

 

When will TCU get respect?

  In recent years a national championship contending team has had 1) a great defense, 2) a great offense, 3) a Heisman candidate, and 4) a great resume.  In my mind these teams, especially Boise St, fit that mold.  The one thing keeping them back is their conference, which is not their fault at all.  How many times do these teams have to prove they belong on the next level of college football?  To me, they have proven themselves more than enough.  Should these mid-majors be considered for a national championship?  I mind it is an easy answer…hell yeah!