The BCS is nothing more than a cartel

The Thirsty Scholars: The BCS is Nothing More than a Cartel: Now that the official Bowl Championship Series is under way and we all start bowling for the pursuit of the National Championship, I have to give one more yell to this Hancock concoction, that when we get right down to it, is nothing more than a cartel.

We've all talked about "why" the BCS stinks, stank and stunk, and our different solutions for a playoff. But something caught my eye this week. Connecticut is going to the Fiesta Bowl (which we know is a joke and another rabbit trail to go down) to play Oklahoma. The Fiesta Bowl (like MOST Bowls) gave Connecticut 17,000 tickets to sell. There you go Husky fans and now you owe us upward of 2 point something million. Connecticut has sold 4,000 of those 17,000 tickets, and I am sure there won't be that many more ducats flying out the ticket window. But they still have to pay the Fiesta Bowl for those tickets. So right off the bat they are in the hole for a couple million. And we aren't talking about the hotel rooms and other expenses incurred. Doesn't matter, Fiesta Man gets his pay.

Not all bowls do this, but the majority of them do. Is it any wonder each year we get a few more bowls? Now we have 35. 35...are you kidding me? I wanted to name my Bowlmania Team "We have to pick how many bowl games?" but I didn't have enough character spaces. Like there are 70 deserving teams to play in these games? 70 teams better than mediocre? 70 teams we care about watching, let alone know what the frig conference they even play in? And of course they don't want to end the bowl system, they're making too much money. Realistically, it's cheaper for Connecticut to stay home. No joke. But what are they or the athletic department going to do, "Uh, no I'm sorry, we don't want to go to the Fiesta Bowl, we'll just stay home this year in the tropical splendor of Storrs."

I'm sorry but that smacks to me of a cartel. The Bowl Cartel Series.

On the first day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Remeber Frank Solich? Once he coached Nebraska, now he's at Ohio. Remember when Ohio last won a bowl? Trick question, the Bobcats never have. But maybe they can versus Troy!

On the 4th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Louisville versus SOUTHERN Mississippi in the Beef 'O' Brady's. That's a bowl not an entree.

On the 5th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Boise State, still wishing that kick at Nevada had been good. Nothing against Utah, but this is what we get. And unless that BS kicker wins the game on a last second 50 yard kick for redemption, we won't even talk about it.

On the 7th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Hawaii versus Tulsa, averaging 79.6 points between them. Classic football.

On the 9th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Florida International in it's first bowl, that should be a big deal for the Golden Panthers, even if it is against Toledo.....in Detroit!

On the 10th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Georgia Tech, Air Force and a lot of hand offs.

On the 11th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Iowa, hoping to stop a free fall, vs. Missouri. The Hawkeyes lost their last 3 games, suspended their top running back and had a star wide out charged with operating a drug house. Happy Holidays!

On the 12th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Oklahoma State and their 27 year old quarterback trying to give Arizona it's fifth loss.

On the 13th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: A bowl game at Yankee Stadium, as Kansas State and Syracuse savor winter in the Bronx. Also Nebraska (which beat Washington 56-21 in September) - playing, uh Washington. The long awaited sequel I guess.

On the 14th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Notre Dame versus Miami. Those wearing Catholics versus Convicts shirts from the 1980's should get in free.

On the 15th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Jan. 1 (which used to be the BIG end all day of games) otherwise known as New Years/ Big 10 Day. Five lodge members from a conference that can't count versus three Southeastern conference teams.

On the 17th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Virginia Tech's 11 game winning streak against Stanford's high SAT scores in the Orange.

On the 20th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Miami (the one from Ohio) and it's 9-4 record (the one that was 1-11 last year) and it's coach - the one leaving for Pittsburgh, against Middle Tennessee.

On the 22nd day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Kentucky versus Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass. Pitt was so eager to get there, they fired their coach.

On the 23rd day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Boston College vs. Nevada, and I have no idea why they are waiting so long to play the Fight Hunger Bowl which I assume is being sponsored by Children's Choice.

On the 24th day of Bowl-mas the BCS gives to me: Oh yay, the actual National Championship game. Auburn will be lead by the winner of the most awkward Heisman Trophy presentation ceremony in history. All Oregon wants is a game its new uni's can be proud of.