carp's crazy thoughts for a Friday: A New BCS Bowl, the 3rd and final piece on how to fix the Pac10
by carp on Dec 19, 2008 12:03 PM PST
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PrintThis FanPost is Part Three of a Three Part made-for-blogging mini-series....part one was a new OOC rivalry game...part two was a Pac-10 expansion that got comments from all SBN blogs, Ted Miller, JO, and Jon Wilner. This last piece I've saved for the climactic eve of the Bowl season.
For awhile I’ve been thinking about how to boost the prestige of Cal football and the Pac-10 conference. Opinions in college football count more than opinions in any other sport until computers replace humans. The Bay Area (thank goodness!) is not the South or the Midwest so it is nearly impossible for Cal and other members of the Pac-10 to surpass rural America with established programs. My friend is an OU Sooners fan and I tell him college football has the ability to make schools and states relevant that no one else cares about. I’ve developed three ideas that are fun to think about that would help boost the image of Cal (if it wins) and the other teams involved. I welcome any comments or critiques.
3) Add another BCS bowl with West Coast bias. It would be neat if we added another BCS bowl. Only this one would have a west coast/mountain west bias. Many folks from around the country enjoy trips to warm exotic (read: Orlando) climates. But there are several others who enjoy wintery climates that offer awesome skiing and snow boarding options. In places that don't already have Bowl games, this would boil down to Denver, Salt Lake, Reno/Lake Tahoe, and Vancouver.
Denver, is a large metro area and has professional sports teams in baseball, football, hockey, and basketball. While they have a professional football stadium and world class skiing, Denver has some of the worst weather this time of year and could make life hell for vacationing families.
Salt Lake hosted the 2002 Olympic games and renovated Rice-Eccles stadium. Rice-Eccles is home to the Utah Utes and seats 45 k:
Of course they have skiing...but this is Utah (can we just leave it at that?).
Reno offers excellent skiing, the beauty of Lake Tahoe, and gambling. The main drawback, is that UNR's Mackay Stadium seats a smidge under 30k:
via www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net
Vancouver (home of 2010 Olympics) has Whistler, Victoria, and the beautiful Pacific Northwest. However, they currently only have an ice hockey arena that seats 18k - not going to get it done. Ahh, but the BC Lions are building a 60k soccer pitch to be ready for 2011! And it's indoors so fans won't have to brave the elements! We could call it the "Eh?" Bowl! (I think the "eh?" is more of Toronto thing, no?). Pics from the new BC Place:
via www.redtag.ca
Now who plays in the Eh? Bowl? Well, for starters this Bowl would be required to take a non-1st place Top 16 ranked Pac-10 team and a Top 16 ranked Mountain West/Wac team. This game would take the highest BCS ranked Mtn. West/Wac team. If the Pac-10 or Mtn. West/WAC cannot produce a second place team in the Top 16, than this becomes an at-large bid with no tie-ins. That would kind of suck, but I don't think this would happen too often. Oregon finished 17th this year in the BCS standings, behind BYU, TCU, Boise St, and Utah (too many non-BCS teams who haven't beaten anybody, in my opinion). However, with this added bowl, and almost certainly if my other crazy ideas were implemented, Oregon WOULD be in the Top 16 this year and would be playing Utah (# 7). Here's a look at the opponents who would be retrospectively playing in the Eh? Bowl:
2007: # 13 ASU vs. # 12 Hawaii
2006: # 7 Boise St. vs. at large (Cal's ranked #18 here and is co-Pac-10 champion...would added hype make the difference?)
2005: # 7 Oregon vs. # 14 TCU
2004: # 5 Cal vs. # 6 Utah (dowload archived PDF)
From pre 2004, the BCS rankings pretty much have a highly ranked 2nd place Pac 10 team (Wazzou in '03 and '02) and a Mtn West/Wac team just outside the Top 16.
So this game could quite possibly provide two highly ranked western teams that would have otherwise had to have battled it out for an at-large BCS Bowl bid or end up in a place like the Holiday, Poinsettia or Las Vegas Bowls. What to do with the rest of the bowls? Not sure, but I have to get back to work. :) I suppose you could just bump down the Bowl tie-ins in the event two Pac-10 BCS teams qualify (like how the Big 12 without 2 BCS teams sends the Holiday Bowl the #3 pick but it is most likely the #4 pick).
Salt Lake would be serviceable but boring, and Reno would need to upgrade their stadium to be considered. Denver's a traveling nightmare and the game would be outdoors. I think Vancouver, with the new indoor stadium and other entertainment options would be the ideal place:
I welcome comments and critiques. I've ignored other things like advertisement and marketing because I have no interest in that and I'm sure there will be someone who is better qualified to opine on this matter. I think I'll also link this at AtQ, House of Sparky, and Block U to get feedback from them.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.
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The only thing about this that seems off is that isn’t it really just a glorified Vegas Bowl with a higher Pac-10 finisher?
I guess I’m also concerned about ratings and attendance.
It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.
yes and no…
It has a higher Pac-10 finisher AND the highest ranked Mtn West/WAC team (whereas Vegas takes # 4/# 5 Pac 10 team and top Mtn West team.
Also, aren’t a lot of Bowls pretty much like that anyway (Outback, Cotton, etc.)? Plus this guarantees two Top 16 teams.
Ratings…it’s a BCS bowl…and can’t be that much worse than the current Orange or in some cases the Sugar. If played on the right day/time, maybe this issue is a moot point. Not sure, but I’d hire someone who is!
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
also…football, at this level, is a novelty item to Canadiens – especially western Canadiens. Plus, Vancouver’s close to Seattle and those people love their football.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
I could see the NCAA/BCS getting behind this since MLB, NFL, NBA, and the NHL like to explore other countries. I’m guessing the same reasons that make it attractive to owners/commishioners in professional sports would also be applicable in the college game.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
The temperature in Vancouver currently oscillates between 5 and 30 degrees. No way fans south of Oregon travel there in huge numbers.
The only reason the International Bowl works is because it’s between two schools from cold weather climates, so their fans wouldn’t care too much about traveling to Toronto. Just look at how badly the Humanitarian Bowl is selling tickets to show why a cold weather climate just won’t work.
There are only three places the BCS Bowl you propose could be established:
1) Turn the Holiday Bowl into a BCS game.
2) Candlestick—kind of cold, but not bitterly so.
3) Seattle—nice enough city, even though it would be very cold.
But this suggestion is kind of silly. Another BCS bowl like this would mean the east coast would ask for one for its tie-ins. And then the south will follow, and the midwest. It’s just like asking for all the at-larges to get their own BCS bowls. Not plausible.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 19, 2008 12:38 PM PST reply actions
you must not be a big skier…tourism numbers are very high in Vancouver in the winter time. Also, I imagine that local interest would be high given the quality and novelty. Plus, the game is indoors…and how long do you plan on staying if it were in San Diego? One night? Two nights tops?
This is a bit unique in terms of biases, but it’s also weird that the Pac-10 is the only BCS conference in the west. So, since they’ve excluded the WAC and Mtn West, maybe this is the way college football fixes it. Plus, the South and Big 12 won’t bitch because they already get two BCS teams if they a) breath and b) get to 10 wins. I would think most Big East and ACC fans are praising to Bak Bak on a regular basis that they even have a BCS bowl tie in. Also, one could argue that in the event that a team isn’t qualified, than another qualified at-large team will go and keep it fresh.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
moreover
this would allow for healthy competition between the WAC and Mtn West…they’d be forced to have a quality OOC opponents or run the risk of not being good enough and being stuck in Vegas or San Diego pre-Christmas.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
I too am terrified of being stuck in Vegas or San Diego pre-Christmas. What horrible places to be.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 19, 2008 1:24 PM PST up reply actions
Here’s an idea:
Estadio Azteca. Seats 3,893,000+, and it will come with a built-in Spanish announcer. ETOUCH-ADOWNNNN OSOOOOSSSS.
I see no flaws in this plan.
Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!
by Spazzy Mcgee on Dec 19, 2008 12:58 PM PST up reply actions
questionable water…corrupt police…sign me up!
Plus, we might have a soccer riot as soon as soccer fans show up thinking they thought they were getting BCS futbol instead of football.
And we already have the New Mexico bowl which has to be cleaner than the Old Mexico…
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
seats 3.8 million…good God man…that’s huge!
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
It must take days to get out due to all the vehicular traffic and foot-traffic.
"After review, it has been determined that the previous play was not reviewable"
The Pac-10: where quality officiating happens.
(guys, it's not actually 3 million)........
…………………..
Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!
by Spazzy Mcgee on Dec 19, 2008 2:01 PM PST up reply actions
I think its ~110k. Which is still huge, mind you.
Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!
by Spazzy Mcgee on Dec 19, 2008 2:26 PM PST up reply actions
Do 3 mil even live in the state of Oregon? I thought they had a population of like 780 people.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 19, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions
does that count Cal residents going to school at UC Eugene and OSU?
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
It seats 4 mil!?!?!
Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
Yes!
Sheriff of the Welcome Team
In Spite of Twist!
by Spazzy Mcgee on Dec 19, 2008 2:42 PM PST up reply actions
it was believable considering Mexico City’s population and passion for futbol.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
Didn’t Seattle already have a bowl game? Didn’t it flop miserably?
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
Pretty much reflects why Vancouver would be bad.
by BearsNecessity on Dec 19, 2008 4:54 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t think so. A learning experience, yes, but that game has little in common with this game or that location. Outside in Seattle? Bad teams? Minimal things to do with poor weather? Uniqueness?
I’m thinking the BCS hype and pomp (aided by a new international venue) will take care of a) selling out games and b) ratings. This, in turn, will take care of c) money.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
You forget the part where BCS bowls rotate. The National Championship would eventually have to go through Vancouver. Are the East coast and Deep South fans going to travel up to the Northwest?
by BearsNecessity on Dec 19, 2008 5:24 PM PST up reply actions
someone from AtQ said this would be the largest population of college kids drinking…
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
Girls Gone Wild, Eh? Bowl Edition???
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
Cotton Bowl
Over the past few years I’ve been hearing that the Cotton Bowl is looking to because a BCS bowl but in the new cowboys stadium. This will likely shuffle the conference affiliations possibly freeing up the Fiesta Bowl.
But what to do with it? First off if there are more BCS games than more Pac10 teams will surely get in so long as the BCS keeps the 2 teams / conference limit. So that in itself is a good thing for the pac10.
I don’t know if the pac10 would go for the idea of ending its affiliation with the Rose Bowl for the conference champion. So this would mean the Fiesta Bowl could serve as a tie in for the Big East? or MWC? or WAC?
by Longhorn@Berkeley on Dec 19, 2008 3:45 PM PST reply actions
gosh, i don't know
i would have to assume that if the cotton were part of the BCS, the Big XII would want its champion in Dallas. i guess that would leave the Fiesta trying to get the Big East or Mountain West as an anchor, though I think the Fiesta might revert to its roots as a no-anchor free-agent bowl, trying to set up great matchups that otherwise wouldn’t happen.
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
this sounds like a good idea…minus the tie-in East Coast tie in. I’m ok with it requiring to take Top 16 Pac10 Mtn West and WAC teams. Or even requiring more strict requirements (like Top 10 or 12 and a victory over a BCS team)
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
oops
The BC Lions are a CFL team…a team that averages 34k fans for your typical CFL game. I imagine it could attract in the 40’s based off local support for such a high profile game. Coupled with traveling fans, and this would be set.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
What about a bowl in Seattle?
Qwest Field seats up to 72,000 people when they put in temporary seats. There are several big-time Pac-Ten, WAC, and MWC teams who would have big turnouts in Seattle (like Boise St., Oregon, OSU, Washington, WSU, BYU, and Utah, and it’s basically as close as any other west coast location for Hawaii. Qwest also has a retractable roof in case it rains or snows which is extremely likely for a post-holidays bowl.
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 19, 2008 5:13 PM PST reply actions
they did have a Seattle Bowl, with significantly less significant teams, but it was outdoors and it flopped after 2 years. Plus the skiing’s better at Whistler.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
lol wut
“significantly less significant”
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
for those who’ve never been:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistler,_British_Columbia
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
Nobody wants to go to Canada in early January.
I can go to Tahoe if I wanna ski. I would really rather not leave the country.
Go Bears!
by RollOnYouBears667 on Dec 19, 2008 5:40 PM PST up reply actions
I'd probably file this one under 'Awesome, but never gonna happen'
but feel free to send it to the next Pac-10 commish – the guy’ll probably need as many ideas as he can get.
I LOVE vancouver
I went to Vancouver in Sept. with my girlfriend and absolutely loved it. You can see three different ski slopes from downtown Vancouver, which in and of itself is clean, pleasant, and extraordinarily modern, with a nice bar scene. I loved Vancouver so much I thought about going to grad school there.
I think the city of Vancouver would actively seek this arrangement, considering the improved exposure for the area. Plus Vancouver is hosting the 2010 winter olympics and undergoing all sorts of construction to prepare for the masses of tourists, therefore implying it would be able to handle large numbers of football fans. I do feel I should point out that Whistler is actually about an hour or so outside of downtown Vancouver.
Two potential problems would be the team’s affiliation’s, and BCS relationship. I don’t think the BCS would go for automatically tying up a conference’s #2 team. Plus, although the Wac/Mountain West have good football teams. Outside of BYU, they don’t have the traveling hordes that would accompany them to Vancouver.
you guys make it out to Victoria? My wife and I loved it more than Vancouver.
The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!
I went to Victoria with my parents and brother this summer
It was wonderful.
In other words, Go Bears!
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Pacific-12 Conference Standings
(updated 1.2.2012 at 11:12 PM PST)
| North | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
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Oregon Ducks
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8 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
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Stanford Cardinal
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Washington Huskies
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| W | L | W | L | |
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USC Trojans
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7 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
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UCLA Bruins
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5 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
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Utah Utes
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Arizona St. Sun Devils
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Arizona Wildcats
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