In 1986, the Wall Street Journal introduced the term "glass ceiling," referring to women and minorities' failure to attain highest-level jobs despite their apparent qualifications. The phrase is a term of of art that describes an invisible barrier that blocks further ascension up the corporate ladder. This year the glass ceiling has arrived in college football courtesy of Boise State. Don't believe me, how else to explain Boise's rise to No. 5 in the nation and subsequent fall in the polls over the past couple of weeks despite teams above them losing? Put simply, poll voters have decided that a non-major team isn't worthy of prominent placement among the legitimate contenders for the BCS title. Given that two-thirds of BCS standings arrive courtesy of poll voters, that glass ceiling of perception effectively limits the advancement of non-Big Six teams. Just when these teams believe they've finally cracked the code of championship game inclusion and are poised for victory, the powers-that-be pull a Lucy and move the proverbial football.
Boise State debuted at No. 14 in the preseason AP poll and No. 16 in the coaches' poll. At this point, they were the highest rated non-Big Six conference team. On the first Thursday of the season Boise memorably beat No. 16 Oregon 19-8. The following week Boise advanced on the Top 10, to 12th in the AP and 11th in the coaches' poll. From there Boise's ascension was gradual as teams above them lost. In Week 2, the Broncos were 10th in both polls. Week 3, they were eighth in both polls. Week 4, saw Boise rise to fifth in both polls. At that point, Florida, Texas, Alabama, and LSU were the only four teams in the country ranked above them. Knowledgeable writers such as Dan Wetzel at Yahoo pointed out that Boise had finally cracked the BCS code. With four undefeated teams ranked above them, three of whom were from the SEC and would play against one another, Boise stood a very real possibility of advancing up the poll ranks. With each step up the poll rung, Boise would make history, spiting the powers-that-be of the BCS along the way.
And how couldn't they advance? After all, pollsters don't typically allow a team who is winning and undefeated to be passed by a team with more losses than they have.
Only the glass ceiling was upon us.
Boise peaked with 1,203 points in the AP poll and 1144 in the coaches' poll. By Week 5, the drain was upon us, despite winning a game, Virginia Tech, a one-loss team who beat Duke unconvincingly, passed the Broncos in the rankings. Boise fell to sixth in both polls, losing 17 points in the AP and 11 in the coaches' poll. Come Week 6, Boise climbed back to No. 5 in the AP, but fell to sixth in the coaches' poll, passed by another one-loss team, USC.
In the Harris Poll, the one used in the BCS formula alongside the Coaches' Poll, Boise has also been passed by Virginia Tech. Standing at No. 5 in the country, USC is nipping at the Broncos' heels and will pass them with a win over Oregon. The glass ceiling precedent has been set, and if Ohio State keeps winning soon they'll pass the Broncos as well. Meanwhile, the undefeated teams above them, Florida, Alabama, and Texas would all likely pass Boise if they only lost one game. That's a big if. After all, they might not even fall below Boise to begin with.
Why?
Because our collective biases tell us that Boise can't play with the big boys. Even if, oh by the way, Oregon has not lost since the opening game of its season and Boise handled it with ease. My point, if you've ever wondered what a glass ceiling in college football would look like, Boise is your example, the highest ranked non-Big Six school to flirt with title game prominence. And it's the collective "wisdom" of the 173 human voters in those two polls that demonstrates how subjective our own biases can truly be.
The rationale is exactly the same, Boise can't be as good as the big teams because it doesn't look like the big teams. Isn't that the very foundation of an anti-egalitarian, un-American worldview? At least the one espoused in the 21st century.
Not when it comes to the pollsters.
Otherwise how can you justify a one-loss team passing an undefeated team? What's more how can you justify multiple one-loss teams passing Boise as the coaches have done? Close your eyes and recite the arguments against Boise State: they don't belong up here because they haven't been here before, the people around them aren't as good, they aren't as talented as the others are, they only got to where they have because the people they compete against are weaker; aren't those the exact same rationales that excluded women and minorities from climbing all the way to the top? Yep, it's the very definition of the glass ceiling and the poll voters are an exclusionary gatekeeping set, exercising their very own form of hazing, by voting who belongs in the fraternity and who doesn't.
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In this photo taken on Sept. 26, 2009, Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead (22) carries the ball against Louisiana-Lafayette during an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb. Burkhead injured a foot in practice on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, and Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini said the freshman would be out "for a while." (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)
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Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno smiles during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)
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** RECROPPED VERSION ** Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno smiles during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)
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Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno addresses the media during his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)
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Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno enters his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)
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Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno addresses the media his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Minnesota on Saturday in an NCAA college football game. (AP Photo/Pat Little)
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In this photo taken Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, Texas senior quarterback Colt McCoy is shown before his team's 38-14 win in an NCAA college football game against Colorado in Austin, Texas. Texas, ranked No.3, is set to play No. 20 Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)
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In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, photo, Florida State tight end Caz Piurowski is checked by team trainers following his knee injury during an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State announced Monday, Oct. 12, that Piurowski will miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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In this Sept. 26, 2009, photo, Michigan cornerback Boubacar Cissoko (33) trails Indiana wide receiver Tandon Doss (2) on a long pass during an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan has suspended Cissoko indefinitely for violating team rules. Coach Rich Rodriguez made the announcement Saturday night, Oct. 10, after Iowa beat the Wolverines 30-28. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
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Washington's Desmond Trufant returns an intercepting of a pass from Arizona's Nick Foles at the end fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Seattle, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. Earlier in the quarter Washington intercepted another pass returning it for a touchdown to win 36-33 over Arizona. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
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And that's the way we've elected to select a champion.
Tonight, Boise plays at Tulsa. Yep, Wednesday night football! Nothing like it! At least not until Sunday night college football which Boise will play later this year. The Broncos should have the eyes of the nation upon them. More likely, most of us don't even realize when they're playing. Tonight's game is against the Golden Hurricane, but when it comes to Boise State and the polls, the Broncos fall victim to a golden shower of a different sort.
All thanks to college football's own glass ceiling.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-14-2009 @ 1:35PM
Neal said...
I don't feel sorry for Boise State at all. The national championship contenders should come from the big conferences, because they are more battle-tested. A bias? Of course, but it's a bias with a rational basis. Take a look at Boise State's schedule. Come on.
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10-14-2009 @ 7:32PM
bastion78 said...
I am not saying that Boise State cannot hang with the big boys. Look at Houston, it has dispatched two big 12 teams and one SEC team. The real question though is would Boise be undefeated if it played in the PAC, the SEC or the Big 12? Boise State playing for the championship because it has scheduled one decent team and plays cup cakes the rest of the way just is not a good enough justification. I know it is unfair but let us take Hawaii for example. They went undefeated and were easily throttled by UGA in a January bowl game.
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10-14-2009 @ 9:26PM
Piker21 said...
We agree
10-14-2009 @ 9:24PM
CraigoMcL said...
I wonder why this guy doesn't list those other statement wins other than Oregon that Boise State has racked up.
Wait, they don't have any? They play the easiest schedule outside of an FCS team?
Oh, never mind.
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10-14-2009 @ 9:39PM
nikeallstar1234 said...
Don't give Boise anything until they play a tougher schedule. Why they are so high now is just incredible.
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10-14-2009 @ 9:39PM
wackenpuss said...
Would anyone consider Florida, Alabama or Texas to be the best team in the nation if they went undefeated playing the same schedule as Boise State?
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10-14-2009 @ 9:45PM
cjgdnight said...
Who did Utah beat last year... I mean besides beating the crap out of ALA?
Not too long ago Boise did beat OKL in probably the most entertaining CF game I have ever seen. They had the speed and strength to play with OKL.
The Boise program has credentials... like Gonzaga in mens basketball... they were a 16 seed and got crushed... then they moved up to a 13 seed and did better to now they have credibility with the NCAA tournament due to sustained excellence.
Bosie should not be ruled out so easily. Everyone points to Hawaii... but lets look at Boise and Utah... they did VERY well.
To be honest I would bet substantial money Boise could beat TENN, AUB, LSU, GA, VAN, MSST, or any other SEC team outside of FLA and ALA, and I wouldn't bet on those games because they would be too close. So if those teams were in their conference.. Boise would still be undefeated or one loss just like ALA and FLA have been the last several years.
Oregon has proven to be a substantial power this year and Bosie beat them handily
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10-14-2009 @ 9:59PM
wackenpuss said...
Anyone can show up for one game, upsets happen but its a whole different scenario to prove yourself playing through a tough schedule, then winning a conference championship game then beating a top team in a bowl game.
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10-14-2009 @ 10:07PM
CraigoMcl said...
Exactly. If they're so confident they can beat power teams, why don't they try scheduling more than one (which is more than they usually play) and prove us all wrong? Until they fix their creampuff schedule, teams that have earned the opportunity by putting it all on the line week in, week out will play in the national championship.
10-14-2009 @ 10:41PM
tom said...
Actually Boise has already proved that under the lights when the chips are down they can beat one of the biggest big boys. A few years ago they downed Oklahoma in a Bowl game. Boise's recent history is comparable to teams that nobody would bat an eye at to see in the NC game.
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10-14-2009 @ 10:44PM
jmacc718 said...
Maybe because most powerful bcs teams, won't schedule against teams like Boise State, Utah, Fresno state, BYU, etc. The BCS school don't have nothing to gain from beating them, and if they lose to them, then it's really hurts them.
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10-15-2009 @ 12:00AM
pism0beachbum said...
Can we get a decent team besides (Oregon) to give us a home and away? We open at Vatech next year and you cant fault us for being in the WAC. Since the majority of our sports dont play at a championship level we cant ditch the WAC for greener pastures.
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10-15-2009 @ 2:27PM
Texass said...
No one wants to play those worthless non BCS teams in a home and home because they will lose money! Boise has a 32,000 seat stadium...why would an LSU, UT, FL, or GA team spend all that money to go out there and split revenues on 32,00 fans!? And look how tough Boise is....they damn near lost to Tulsa last night!
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10-15-2009 @ 3:04PM
cjgdnight said...
It is TV money, not people in the seats that dictates the $$$$$.
And so you think FLA playing Troy gets them more money than Utah or Boise? WOW!!!!! What will people think of next?
10-15-2009 @ 4:39PM
Texass said...
Ohhhh that's right...I forgot that splitting the money on 100,000 seats times $50 a seat is just pocket change and something to laugh at. And 100,000 fans buy a helluva lot more hotdogs and cokes than 32,000 fans do. So no, TV dollars DO NOT dictate the payout. Maybe you should get your facts straight before you start running your mouth.
http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2009/08/17/Sports/Football.Revenue.Carries.Athletic.Program-3754936.shtml
Here are the highlights....
The majority comes from football contributions (about $30 million last year) and football ticket sales ($16 million). Last fiscal year, the total operating expenses for Georgia football were just shy of $20 million.
Hartman Fund contributions, the money given to the football ticket priority system, were markedly down this year at about $23 million. But Crumley said that points more to a previous spike than a downward turn.
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10-15-2009 @ 7:19PM
cjgdnight said...
TEXASS,
HAHAHA. You are talking about one SEC football team financial sheet. The conference makes MUCH more than that on every televised football game for Example there is an entire SEC network and a Big Ten Network with contracts for the league. Troy got paid about $700,000 just to play fla.... where does that show up in FLA bottom line... it doesn't because FLA does not pay the other team!
HAHAHA ... Do you really think the schools pay the visiting team for showing up.. no sir they they do not.... the league/ network pays because when you play fla it gets televised for a huge $$$$, and when Troy plays East Tallahassee or some other school it is not televised and therefore the pay out is not as great. THAT is why small schools play the BIG schools.... THAT is why the Governors of states MAKE the big schools play the smaller state schools. Troy gets a large check that the state government now doesn't have to fund the state college for. (Apologies I do not know if Troy is a state school). You are mixing apples and trucks.
Bottom line Boise is a bigger draw than Troy.
10-16-2009 @ 10:32AM
Texass said...
You are wrong, and that's ok, just be man enough to admit when you are wrong. You've provided no evidence thus far to back up what you are saying and you sound ridiculous....so here we go.
I pulled Georgia's information to use as an example...do you really think that there is that big of a difference between Georgia and Florida? I don't know what Florida's balance sheet looks like (and neither do you), but if you'd like to show us I'd be very willing to look at it. And yes the SEC has a "network" and has contracts with ESPN and CBS, but that goes to the SEC and gets redistributed to the SEC schools.
And yes, the bigger schools sign a contract with the smaller schools and agree to pay them a certain dollar amount. This will all become clear to you in just a moment...
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sunbelt/2008-10-05-western-kentucky_N.htm
Highlights...
They packed the football team off to, as expected, defeats at Indiana, Alabama, Kentucky and Virginia Tech this season to pocket the combined $2.4 million THOSE SCHOOLS WERE WILLING TO PAY but insist they will play only one such "guarantee game" each year hereafter.
Did you see anything in there that said ESPN paid anything? Didn't think so.
http://www.statesboroherald.com/news/archive/4298/
Highlights...
While there are no guarantees, I-A can provided an opportunity to bring in more revenue, Farmer said. For example, the Trojans are getting $500,000 guarantees FROM Georgia, Florida and Arkansas and $800,000 from Ohio State.
Where did they get those guarantees from??? Say it with me now cjgdnight "FROM THE SCHOOLS AND NOT THE TV STATIONS!"
One last reference..
http://www.nokiasugarbowl.com/Football_Knowledge/Football_Ticket/43599.html
Highlights...
the TICKET MONEY goes to the NCAA, and i said it goes to the schools playing....of course it goes to the schools. that's why you will always see a smaller school play at a bigger, better teams house.
So....in conclusion, I have provided you with adequate examples of where you are wrong and why you are wrong. So do us all a favor and either do your homework or post a message on here admitting you are wrong. Don't come back with some crazy response that isn't backed by facts and just your garbage...be a man, sack up and admit you were wrong and apologize to the readers for giving them false information.
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10-17-2009 @ 2:38AM
cjgdnight said...
You are truly misinformed... read your own trash articles.
The first article says the reason WKY is going to the FBS is so that they can get a piece of that lucrative $6B television contract.
The reason they are not taking the money is that they want the TV money to themselves when the other teams come to their place to play. So if you think it is % of the gate and not the TV, why would WKY deny themselves all this money from larger stadiums? They would get more than their stadium would pay..... Answer is because it is TV money.
The second article is that the different schools have different TV contracts for how much they can pay visitors to come. The athletic department does not pay it... look at GA's bottom line and look for "Total paid to other schools for showing up".. I'll give you hint in todays market and athletic programs losing money, they would not be paying even $800K for a small school to show up.
BUT TV will because they need a game and their money comes from advertising.
The third article is a foolish resource:
1. It is for a Sugar Bowl game where the NCAA does take the money and distribute it... but has nothing to do with regular season games.
2. It also says that the best players get paid the most. And these are your sources... letters from a grandson????
Bottom line is I don't care what you think.. the University does not pay the other team directly, it comes out of a pot of money for TV.
11-03-2009 @ 7:12AM
hemagloben182 said...
Boise can't control it's schedule. Getting one "big" team to play them is hard enough and honestly almost nobody wants to play boise unless they have to. Its a lose lose situation for them. They get only one or two chances a year to prove themselves because of the WAC keeping them down. This year it was Oregon; who circled their calendars after last years loss to boise. They both had the same time to prepare and Oregon still lost. And they had Blount. Honestly I'm hoping Oregon doesn't lose again, just proves how good Boise really is.
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