College Football Fans United For A Playoff
Interviews
10 QUESTIONS WITH REP. JOE BARTON (Nov. 9, 2009)
Here we are
entering the home stretch of the college football season and it
remains an SEC and Texas world as far as national title hopes go.
What a perfect time then to ask a Texan about the BCS, its future,
and its futility. We are honored and thrilled to present this
exclusive interview with Congressman Joe Barton (R – TX), who
continues to advocate for change to a broken system, knowing that
it is just a matter of time before the BCS is forced to actually
become a "championship series."
Whether change will come from Congress or from elsewhere, the pressure for change will continue to grow. Thank you to the Congressman for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions and being our third guest on 10 (or so) Questions with CFP:
Q: How long have you been a college football fan, and what was the first college football game you attended?
A: My dad was an A&M graduate and we moved to College Station in 1956. It was Bear Bryant’s last year. My parents would sit in the stands and my brother and I would sit in the “knothole” section. It cost like 50 cents or a dollar. I have been a diehard Aggie fan ever since.
Q: You received your undergraduate degree from Texas A&M and your master’s degree from Purdue University. If these two schools played against each other, who would you root for?
A: Once an Aggie, always an Aggie so Texas A&M would always have my support. I did go to a couple of games when I was attending Purdue. They were supposed to be good that year, but they had some bad breaks and only won a few games. It just wasn’t the same – nothing can beat the atmosphere at Kyle Field. Kissing your date after the Aggies score, Yell Leaders, the Corps of Cadets – The traditions at A&M are unmatched.
Q: In each of the past three seasons, the BCS National Championship Game has excluded teams that went undefeated in the regular season: Utah (2008), Hawaii (2007), and Boise State (2006). This year, Boise State and TCU both appear capable of going undefeated. If that happens, do you believe either of them will get a chance to play for the national championship?
A: Not the way it is currently configured. If either SEC team goes undefeated and Texas doesn’t lose, they would undoubtedly meet for the BCS Championship. Iowa (up until last week) and Cincinnati – both of which are BCS Conference schools - could also run the table and be left out. Now if they had a playoff, then more schools have a chance – including TCU and Boise State. I’m not sure if either of them could beat Florida, Alabama or Texas, but if they played as part of a college football playoff – You can bet I would be watching along with tens of millions of football fans. When the 120 football teams start practicing during the summer – most are eliminated before the first snap, no matter how good of a season they have. It is a sad reality, but only a handful of teams actually have a chance of hoisting that crystal football trophy at the end of the season.
Q: Back in August, you issued a warning to the BCS saying that unless it takes action towards creating a true playoff system, Congress will move on possible legislation to force such change. What is the current status of your efforts to pass legislation in response to the BCS’s inaction? What are the biggest hurdles for the two pieces of legislation currently pending, H.R. 390: The College Football Playoff Act of 2009, and H.R. 599: the Championship Fairness Act of 2009.
A: I have spoken to the Subcommittee Chairman with jurisdiction over the College Football Playoff Act of 2009 – Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.). He is supportive of the idea and has told me he does plan on moving the bill. As you probably know, the President has also expressed support for a college football playoff. This idea is definitely bipartisan. The question at this point is timing. I suspect as the football season moves on and it becomes clear that this fatally flawed system is once again going to leave out worthy teams – public pressure will grow and this legislation will be passed. We have bipartisan support, including the President. The biggest hurdles to passing legislation are the lobbying that will occur by the entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo, but I think we are slowly wearing them down. I am hopeful the BCS will change in the next year or two – even if we don’t pass any legislation.
Q: Is there a particular playoff system that you would like to see implemented?
A: I have said all along that Congress should not be in the business of legislating a particular playoff system, only that there should be one as a fair and just approach to determining a “National” Champion – and that champion should be determined on the field, not in a computer hard drive.
Q: Do you believe a playoff system can be implemented that leaves some bowl games intact?
A: Definitely. As I said, I am not going to write the playoff format. But I believe the current bowls would be just as viable as part of a playoff system as they are today if they all joined the playoff system. The one exception we have heard is the willingness of the Rose Bowl to participate. I respect their desire to maintain tradition, but they previously altered their traditional bid invitations when they agreed to host the BCS championship game even when it included teams from conferences other than the Pac Ten and Big Ten - so they are a little pregnant. Last year USC played Penn St. in what many anticipated would be a great game. Unfortunately, it was lopsided, but the significance of that game to everyone in the nation – other than Penn St. and USC fans – is arguably less as a stand alone bowl game than if the winner had a chance to advance in a playoff format.
Q: Do you believe that revenue distribution and berths in the most lucrative and prestigious bowl games should be determined by pre-existing agreements, such as the contractual conference tie-ins for the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl?
A: The money is at the heart of the resistance to change. Those who have enacted a protective barrier will always have a leg up on their competition. And the worst part about the disparity is that it affects all other sports in those conferences on the outside looking in. We heard testimony how it affects recruiting in the other sports when competing for the best athletes. There is a stigma against schools from the non-automatic qualifier conferences as well as the fact their budgets are adversely at a disadvantage from the lack of post season revenue the incumbents enjoy.
Q: In an interview with us and throughout his campaign to fight the BCS, Senator Orrin Hatch referred to the BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, and SEC) as “privileged conferences.” Would you consider that phrase as an accurate label, and do you have any plans to work with Senator Hatch or other pro-playoff proponents that go beyond your efforts in Congress?
A: I’ve talked to Senator Hatch, but we’re not coordinating our efforts. I don’t know if I would call them “privileged conferences.” I don’t blame the powers that be for designing a system that maximizes their impact, what I do not understand is why they don’t think a playoff won’t work better and create more revenue for everyone involved.
Q: What is the most unfair part about the current system in your opinion? Is it the revenue distribution, where non-BCS conferences share roughly only nine percent of all the BCS’s revenue; is it the apparent pre-determination that non-BCS conference schools will not play in the national championship before the season even begins; or is it something else?
A: It is a combination of all of those circumstances. As a college football fan, I find it unfair and disappointing that this is the only NCAA sport where the champion isn’t determined through a competition. As a Congressman, it is upsetting that this game markets itself as a “national championship game” even though most schools in the nation never have a chance to compete for it and the millions of dollars that come along with the honor. The inequities – both on the field and in funding – should be eliminated.
Q: The BCS is a billion dollar behemoth. How can college football fans combat the BCS and push for a playoff? Similarly, how can fans help you and other elected officials bring about change and end the BCS?
A: They need to start working at their schools - talk to the coaches, the university presidents, athletic directors, alumni groups - so people see there is support. Most coaches – off the record – are for a playoff. People who control the current system enjoy it and they don’t want to give it up. However, I think the hand writing is on the wall. I don’t think it is a question of if there will be a college football playoff; it’s a question of when. We are starting to win the battle, momentum is on our side, but we need to keep pressing.
Q: Who is your Cinderella team this year? Who do you think is much better than their ranking suggests?
A: This is an odd year in college football - I don’t think there is a super team. When Arkansas almost beat Florida, Oklahoma – which has lost 3 [now 4] games – really gives Texas a run for their money, Alabama could’ve been beaten by Tennessee, TCU beats BYU handily and BYU beat OU. It is obvious that there is parity. There are just a lot of really good teams, which is why this would be the perfect year for a playoff. There are enough good teams so that on any given day anyone could win.
Q: Any predictions for the National Championship Game this season?
A: SEC winner vs. Texas if they stay undefeated. If not, it opens the door to the other undefeated teams and a slew of one-loss teams.
Q: On Thanksgiving, Texas plays Texas A&M in College Station. What do you think of your alma mater’s chances?
A: Texas plays at A&M this year. The Aggies are a long shot and will likely be heavy underdogs, but they do have a chance. A&M has been very up and down this season - losing big at Kansas State, and then winning in Lubbock. I believe the Aggies on their best day could beat Texas. That being said, no matter who wins, someone in my house will be happy. My wife is a Longhorn. Of course her team has the best of it lately, but she is sweet about it. Most years I just hope it's not a blow out.
Here we are
entering the home stretch of the college football season and it
remains an SEC and Texas world as far as national title hopes go.
What a perfect time then to ask a Texan about the BCS, its future,
and its futility. We are honored and thrilled to present this
exclusive interview with Congressman Joe Barton (R – TX), who
continues to advocate for change to a broken system, knowing that
it is just a matter of time before the BCS is forced to actually
become a "championship series."
Whether change will come from Congress or from elsewhere, the pressure for change will continue to grow. Thank you to the Congressman for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions and being our third guest on 10 (or so) Questions with CFP:
Q: How long have you been a college football fan, and what was the first college football game you attended?
A: My dad was an A&M graduate and we moved to College Station in 1956. It was Bear Bryant’s last year. My parents would sit in the stands and my brother and I would sit in the “knothole” section. It cost like 50 cents or a dollar. I have been a diehard Aggie fan ever since.
Q: You received your undergraduate degree from Texas A&M and your master’s degree from Purdue University. If these two schools played against each other, who would you root for?
A: Once an Aggie, always an Aggie so Texas A&M would always have my support. I did go to a couple of games when I was attending Purdue. They were supposed to be good that year, but they had some bad breaks and only won a few games. It just wasn’t the same – nothing can beat the atmosphere at Kyle Field. Kissing your date after the Aggies score, Yell Leaders, the Corps of Cadets – The traditions at A&M are unmatched.
Q: In each of the past three seasons, the BCS National Championship Game has excluded teams that went undefeated in the regular season: Utah (2008), Hawaii (2007), and Boise State (2006). This year, Boise State and TCU both appear capable of going undefeated. If that happens, do you believe either of them will get a chance to play for the national championship?
A: Not the way it is currently configured. If either SEC team goes undefeated and Texas doesn’t lose, they would undoubtedly meet for the BCS Championship. Iowa (up until last week) and Cincinnati – both of which are BCS Conference schools - could also run the table and be left out. Now if they had a playoff, then more schools have a chance – including TCU and Boise State. I’m not sure if either of them could beat Florida, Alabama or Texas, but if they played as part of a college football playoff – You can bet I would be watching along with tens of millions of football fans. When the 120 football teams start practicing during the summer – most are eliminated before the first snap, no matter how good of a season they have. It is a sad reality, but only a handful of teams actually have a chance of hoisting that crystal football trophy at the end of the season.
Q: Back in August, you issued a warning to the BCS saying that unless it takes action towards creating a true playoff system, Congress will move on possible legislation to force such change. What is the current status of your efforts to pass legislation in response to the BCS’s inaction? What are the biggest hurdles for the two pieces of legislation currently pending, H.R. 390: The College Football Playoff Act of 2009, and H.R. 599: the Championship Fairness Act of 2009.
A: I have spoken to the Subcommittee Chairman with jurisdiction over the College Football Playoff Act of 2009 – Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.). He is supportive of the idea and has told me he does plan on moving the bill. As you probably know, the President has also expressed support for a college football playoff. This idea is definitely bipartisan. The question at this point is timing. I suspect as the football season moves on and it becomes clear that this fatally flawed system is once again going to leave out worthy teams – public pressure will grow and this legislation will be passed. We have bipartisan support, including the President. The biggest hurdles to passing legislation are the lobbying that will occur by the entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo, but I think we are slowly wearing them down. I am hopeful the BCS will change in the next year or two – even if we don’t pass any legislation.
Q: Is there a particular playoff system that you would like to see implemented?
A: I have said all along that Congress should not be in the business of legislating a particular playoff system, only that there should be one as a fair and just approach to determining a “National” Champion – and that champion should be determined on the field, not in a computer hard drive.
Q: Do you believe a playoff system can be implemented that leaves some bowl games intact?
A: Definitely. As I said, I am not going to write the playoff format. But I believe the current bowls would be just as viable as part of a playoff system as they are today if they all joined the playoff system. The one exception we have heard is the willingness of the Rose Bowl to participate. I respect their desire to maintain tradition, but they previously altered their traditional bid invitations when they agreed to host the BCS championship game even when it included teams from conferences other than the Pac Ten and Big Ten - so they are a little pregnant. Last year USC played Penn St. in what many anticipated would be a great game. Unfortunately, it was lopsided, but the significance of that game to everyone in the nation – other than Penn St. and USC fans – is arguably less as a stand alone bowl game than if the winner had a chance to advance in a playoff format.
Q: Do you believe that revenue distribution and berths in the most lucrative and prestigious bowl games should be determined by pre-existing agreements, such as the contractual conference tie-ins for the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl?
A: The money is at the heart of the resistance to change. Those who have enacted a protective barrier will always have a leg up on their competition. And the worst part about the disparity is that it affects all other sports in those conferences on the outside looking in. We heard testimony how it affects recruiting in the other sports when competing for the best athletes. There is a stigma against schools from the non-automatic qualifier conferences as well as the fact their budgets are adversely at a disadvantage from the lack of post season revenue the incumbents enjoy.
Q: In an interview with us and throughout his campaign to fight the BCS, Senator Orrin Hatch referred to the BCS conferences (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10, and SEC) as “privileged conferences.” Would you consider that phrase as an accurate label, and do you have any plans to work with Senator Hatch or other pro-playoff proponents that go beyond your efforts in Congress?
A: I’ve talked to Senator Hatch, but we’re not coordinating our efforts. I don’t know if I would call them “privileged conferences.” I don’t blame the powers that be for designing a system that maximizes their impact, what I do not understand is why they don’t think a playoff won’t work better and create more revenue for everyone involved.
Q: What is the most unfair part about the current system in your opinion? Is it the revenue distribution, where non-BCS conferences share roughly only nine percent of all the BCS’s revenue; is it the apparent pre-determination that non-BCS conference schools will not play in the national championship before the season even begins; or is it something else?
A: It is a combination of all of those circumstances. As a college football fan, I find it unfair and disappointing that this is the only NCAA sport where the champion isn’t determined through a competition. As a Congressman, it is upsetting that this game markets itself as a “national championship game” even though most schools in the nation never have a chance to compete for it and the millions of dollars that come along with the honor. The inequities – both on the field and in funding – should be eliminated.
Q: The BCS is a billion dollar behemoth. How can college football fans combat the BCS and push for a playoff? Similarly, how can fans help you and other elected officials bring about change and end the BCS?
A: They need to start working at their schools - talk to the coaches, the university presidents, athletic directors, alumni groups - so people see there is support. Most coaches – off the record – are for a playoff. People who control the current system enjoy it and they don’t want to give it up. However, I think the hand writing is on the wall. I don’t think it is a question of if there will be a college football playoff; it’s a question of when. We are starting to win the battle, momentum is on our side, but we need to keep pressing.
Q: Who is your Cinderella team this year? Who do you think is much better than their ranking suggests?
A: This is an odd year in college football - I don’t think there is a super team. When Arkansas almost beat Florida, Oklahoma – which has lost 3 [now 4] games – really gives Texas a run for their money, Alabama could’ve been beaten by Tennessee, TCU beats BYU handily and BYU beat OU. It is obvious that there is parity. There are just a lot of really good teams, which is why this would be the perfect year for a playoff. There are enough good teams so that on any given day anyone could win.
Q: Any predictions for the National Championship Game this season?
A: SEC winner vs. Texas if they stay undefeated. If not, it opens the door to the other undefeated teams and a slew of one-loss teams.
Q: On Thanksgiving, Texas plays Texas A&M in College Station. What do you think of your alma mater’s chances?
A: Texas plays at A&M this year. The Aggies are a long shot and will likely be heavy underdogs, but they do have a chance. A&M has been very up and down this season - losing big at Kansas State, and then winning in Lubbock. I believe the Aggies on their best day could beat Texas. That being said, no matter who wins, someone in my house will be happy. My wife is a Longhorn. Of course her team has the best of it lately, but she is sweet about it. Most years I just hope it's not a blow out.
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