BCS Hearings Are About the Money

Every Monday during college football's endless offseason, The FanHouse Walk will put last week's stories to bed and deliver the essentials to bridge that agonizing space between now and September.

Mr. BCS Goes To Washington -- Except I have a feeling Jimmy Stewart would find some way to rail against the BCS, however wrongheadedly. You see, the big word in the halls of Congress on Friday was "fair" but don't let that confuse you. While the Mountain West and certain members of Congress are using the fairness term to stoke public support, their real concern is about money.


There's a big pot at the end of the year and thanks largely to their own revenue success through their ability to draw fans and sponsors, the BCS conference programs end up getting a large share of it. This is what the real fight is about, as much as us fans banter on about fairness or "winning it on the field".

The BCS institutions are in the right on this, they've created and nurtured a product that can create these kinds of revenues, something most of those now sitting on the outside, can't. They're going to continue to protect their access to the majority share of what they've created especially since you won't see ABC and ESPN and CBS sniffing around Utah State anytime soon, at least not until they find a way to create a more compelling football product.

Thats how this system works and its bizarre to witness people distracted by the illusion of fairness side with what would amount to legally sanctioned theft in their frustration with the system in place.

Target Practice -- The football teams may not be their early 90's selves right now, but the fans are carrying on that old time spirit. Colorado's golf team has a new home course with an interesting twist: the vehicle charged with scooping up range balls is colored red and white with a Nebraska helmet design on the roof. Oh, and a big Nebraska N on the hood. Football coach Dan Hawkins was the brainchild behind the idea. (via The Wiz)

The Prom Is For High Schoolers -- So apparently Auburn is using stretch limos adorned with school logos and imagery to transport recruits around the state. This practice amusingly meets NCAA sanction (so far), but obviously has some rival coaches peeved. Take it away, Urban Meyer:

This is silly stuff from Meyer, even with the amusing gratuitous dig at Tennessee. Its even more silly coming from Auburn but we've grown to expect that. Remember their non-championship championship parade? (Via GTP, Dr. Saturday)

Its Getting Biblical Up In Here -- Apparently feeling perky from his public relations victory that helped seal a contract extension on his terms, Mike Leach has been dropping bombs with the NFL and Texas A&M the last few weeks.

He attracted additional Aggie hate after alleging the Dallas Cowboys' coaching staff liked quarterback Stephen McGee -- taken in the fourth round of the draft -- more than his own coaches at Texas A&M. Aggie coach Mike Sherman got testy in response, followed by a more subtle, Biblical response out of McGee.

(Via Tim Griffin)

Overtime, Ball On The 25

-- Tim . Tebow . Thong .

-- That Darn APR. Minnesota is out three football scholarships after a poor APR performance.

-- Ohio State has never been to the Rose Bowl under coach Jim Tressel. Arizona has never been to the Rose Bowl, period.

-- No Alabama player arrests in the last 10 months. Gold star.

-- The Quad Countdown Has Begun

-- The death rattle. Washington drops swimming and Hawaii's athletics department is cash-strapped.