OT: Great article regarding the BCS

[Bravesfan]

This thread was lost yesterday while the site was down. One of the best articles I have ever seen regarding the BCS's shafting of Utah from the BCS championship game. This relates to basketball as well regarding the bias against mid-majors. A must read!

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=dw-utah010509&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[TheAsianSensation]

This is a very key point: ESPN (and other networks) don't HAVE to carry Utah (or other mid major) games more often. Remember, ESPN is a network. They are trying to make money first and foremost, and sacrificing more popular teams, and therefore higher ratings, to show Utah will cost the network money in the long run. So at the very least, it isn't easy to convince the major network to commit to showing good mid-majors on television.

In the end, this is a business and money maker, and the networks will skew their decisions to make the most money. Unfortunate. A lot of people understand that there is mid major bias but not many understand that money is the exact reason - and it isn't an easy a fix as people think.

[Bravesfan]

This is a very key point: ESPN (and other networks) don't HAVE to carry Utah (or other mid major) games more often. Remember, ESPN is a network. They are trying to make money first and foremost, and sacrificing more popular teams, and therefore higher ratings, to show Utah will cost the network money in the long run. So at the very least, it isn't easy to convince the major network to commit to showing good mid-majors on television.

In the end, this is a business and money maker, and the networks will skew their decisions to make the most money. Unfortunate. A lot of people understand that there is mid major bias but not many understand that money is the exact reason - and it isn't an easy a fix as people think.

I have to disagree slightly with this point. I think an undefeated mid-major like Utah, a team who has built a strong program for several years now, would garner great ratings. Especially a team that has four top 20 wins, and a conference with three teams in the BCS top 16.

It sounds like the Mountain West Conference is no slouch, and definately stronger than the upstart Big East and ACC Conferences. I think ESPN is making a big mistake not featuring them more, and I agree with the article that perception is everything.

[TheAsianSensation]

I have to disagree slightly with this point. I think an undefeated mid-major like Utah, a team who has built a strong program for several years now, would garner great ratings. Especially a team that has four top 20 wins, and a conference with three teams in the BCS top 16.

It sounds like the Mountain West Conference is no slouch, and definately stronger than the upstart Big East and ACC Conferences. I think ESPN is making a big mistake not featuring them more, and I agree with the article that perception is everything.

Well, a couple thoughts:

ESPN, at least with college football, has to set the lineup almost completely in preseason. Not necessarily the teams, but the conferences. Each conference gets their set times for airtime, and the games are chosen for that airtime a couple of weeks in advance. But the basic principle is that all the time slots are basically accounted for. This leaves little wiggle room to pickup whatever hot teams there are.

The Mountain West has their own network (think Big 10 Network). They control rights to games for the MWC. ESPN doesn't have the rights - and therefore, ESPN spends more energy promoting teams and games they CAN show - to increase revenue.


I guess what I'm trying to say - Yes, the media is completely screwing over Utah. But not because Utah is "mid major" - it's because they're worried about bottom line and are in a situation to promote other programs. It's not meant as a slight.

[Bravesfan]

Well, a couple thoughts:

ESPN, at least with college football, has to set the lineup almost completely in preseason. Not necessarily the teams, but the conferences. Each conference gets their set times for airtime, and the games are chosen for that airtime a couple of weeks in advance. But the basic principle is that all the time slots are basically accounted for. This leaves little wiggle room to pickup whatever hot teams there are.

The Mountain West has their own network (think Big 10 Network). They control rights to games for the MWC. ESPN doesn't have the rights - and therefore, ESPN spends more energy promoting teams and games they CAN show - to increase revenue.


I guess what I'm trying to say - Yes, the media is completely screwing over Utah. But not because Utah is "mid major" - it's because they're worried about bottom line and are in a situation to promote other programs. It's not meant as a slight.

Well, that would explain why ESPN is not showing their games. But that doesn't excuse the voters not to educate themselves about some of these teams, especially ones that are undefeated. But that's the nonsense non-BCS teams have to put up with every day.