The Mid-Major's Major Dilemma

Hawaii's dream season culminated with an invitation, per BCS rules, to the Sugar Bowl this year. Much rejoice, much celebration in the islands; even some calls for Hawaii, the nation's lone unbeaten FBS team, to play in the national championship. Let's dive a little deeper into the Fighting Rainbows' year. They competed, and won, the WAC. The WAC, according to Jeff Sagarin's ratings, came in as the 8th best conference in college football. Hawaii's non-conference slate consisted of:

UNLV: 2-10, ranked 117th by Sagarin
Washington: 4-9, ranked 53rd by Sagarin (played Hawaii without their starting QB)
Northern Colorado: D-1AA
Charleston Southern: D1-AA

Now, granted, schedules are done at least a few years in the future, but it doesn't take an Ivy League degree to foresee this a being an easy schedule. Essentially, Hawaii reduced their schedule to 2 games: Boise St. and Washington --both at home.

So what does this all mean?

Hawaii has made the decision that a gaudy record, say 10-2/11-1/12-0 will not only vault them in the national rankings (which it will), but it will also earn them the publicity, payout, and spoils that come with a high ranking and possible date in a BCS game. So far, the plan has worked to perfection.

So if you are Miami University, or any mid-major for that matter, what do you do? Do you play the Michigans, Floridas, Ohio States, etc. (as Miami will over the next 5 years) or do you play a bottom tier BCS school, one or two mid to bottom level non-BCS schools and a D-1AA school and shoot for perfection?

Let's keep in mind there is a Pandora's box of financial issues associated with mid-major scheduling that while very relevant in the real world, hopefully can be set aside in this hypothetical.

Anyway, it's a tough question, and one that is hotly debated in mid-major fan groups.

What say ye? Does Hawaii deserve to be ranked where they are? Have they loopholed their way into the BCS? As a fan, would you rather see your team play and compete against a tough schedule and risk a mediocre record or play and beat an easy (and boring) schedule for a national ranking and shot at the BCS?

A conversation Dave and I had a while ago...

A couple weeks ago, Dave and I had an interesting phone call that was cut short by a trip to the airport. After the usual small talk (mostly consisting of me trying to get out of Dave what his work entails...for the record I still don't understand, but I'm sure he's doing a FANTASTIC job) we got on a rather exciting subject. I bring it to you after mulling it over a great deal (mostly while walking the dog). I think this blog is the perfect place for this idea to be debated, contributed to, and hopefully moved forward in some way. And it is this...

What if the Norwood House was a company?

What would we do? What would we sell? What services would we provide? What niche would we fill (or "Phil" if you prefer)?

It really got me thinking. Obviously each of us has our own dreams, our own talents, and our own plans. But, I think it would be fun, just as an exercise to hear what we all think would be good ideas. I'll get the ball rolling...

Idea #1: After suffering through a tough inaugural season with a record of 1-16, the fledgling Cincinnati Jungle Kats (http://www.junglekatsfootball.com/index2.php) of the Arena Football League 2 are in need of some fresh thinking.

Idea #2: We all move to some beautiful mountain town and start our own version of the Eureka Ranch, complete with go-karts, pinball, and pizza vending machines. It's like OM for adults.

Idea #3: We open a business that provides an adventure experience to extremely rich clients. Think Total Recall meets The Game with Michael Douglas. We could create global treasure hunts, across the country games of Sardines, multinational Scavenger Hunts. Like the Amazing Race, but not on TV. Families could play together or compete against other families. Singles could be paired up as a way to meet people. And we would all get an excuse to travel on the company's dime. We would use Summer Sojourn to fleece Rich-istan!

Idea #4: Two words: Sports Bar. I'm thinking a Soccer Bar in Cincy. There have to be a lot of 1) American fans that would follow it and 2) many people from other countries looking for somewhere to enjoy their national past-time. Someone is always playing soccer somewhere right?

Idea #5: After I'm done grad school, you guys help me start a theatre.

Idea #6: We all take a summer and shoot a movie to enter in film festivals all over the country.

Idea #7: Develop some kind of educational program that we could take across the country to schools. Utilize the entertainment and presentation skills I have, Matt's creative writing ability, Flip and Mikey's teaching experience, Dave's managerial know how, Phil's moxie, height, and intangible tenacity, and Martin's knowledge of marine navigation. What kid wouldn't be blown away by that?

Idea #8: Start a local sports network. First on the Internet, then on TV. In depth local coverage of high school, college, and professional sports teams. Focus on local coverage though. Catch all the stuff that the newspaper and local news don't have time or space to pay a lot of attention to.

Idea #9: Invent and market a new board game. If you recall, we have already made several attempts to modify existing games.

Idea #10: Invest all of our money (by which I mean your money) into nano-technology. From what I hear...it's...never mind.

So there you go. Comment or piggy-back on one of these ideas, or submit your own. Who knows, this could be the start of something life changing for all of us.

Memo to the BCS

To: Acting BCS President; BCS Conference Commissioners, BCS Conference AD’s, BCS Conference School Presidents

From: Dav

Re: Winter Madness

Here are my findings from our 11/19 meeting in which you put me on retainer to find a solution to the quagmire that is major college football. After a full review of past history, financial implications and the burdens on our student-athletes, I’m ready to put forth for your consideration a proposal – a ten team playoff dubbed Winter Madness.

Consider the current BCS Standings.

The top ten teams are:

1. Ohio State (Big Ten Champ)
2. LSU (SEC Champ)
3. Virginia Tech (ACC Champ)
4. Oklahoma (Big 12 Champ)
5. Georgia (SEC At Large)
6. Missouri (Big 12 At Large)
7. USC (PAC 10 Champ)
8. Kansas (Big 12 At Large)
9. West Virginia (Big East Champ)
10. Hawaii (WAC At Large)

Opening Round:

You asked me to preserve the importance of the regular season. In meeting this goal, conference champions will be afforded a first round bye in Winter Madness. The opening round of Winter Madness will be the third Saturday in December, after first semester final exams have concluded. These games will be home game sites for the higher ranked team. This year, #5 Georgia will host #10 Hawaii and #6 Missouri will host #8 Kansas, on Saturday, December 15^th.

The two losers will be placed into the Cotton and the Outback New Year’s Day Bowls, based on a pre-determined selection order.

The winners will move on to the next Round.

Round of Eight:

You asked me to preserve the importance of the four BCS bowls. In a rotating order, the four BCS bowls will have their selection in choosing the matchup they would most want to host. Assuming the favored hosts win in the play-in round, the round of eight would look like this:

1. #1 Ohio State v. #9 West Virginia (Rose)
2. #2 LSU v. #7 USC (Sugar)
3. #3 VaTech v. #6 Missouri (Fiesta)
4. #4 Oklahoma v. #5 Georgia (Orange)

I would bet that the Rose would love to snatch up OSU, as they haven’t played in the Rose Bowl in ten full years. Additionally, perhaps the Sugar wants the local Tigers to fill the Superdome.

National Semifinals:

These games would be played on a rotating basis at two of the four BCS sites, held on the second Saturday after New Years Day. Every other year, rather than one year in four, would the four marquee bowls get to host of game of national importance. You asked me to respect the schedules of the student athletes. National Semifinals will conclude before the start of second semesters. My predictions in the above games would be as follows:

1. #9 West Virginia v. #4 Oklahoma
2. #2 LSU v. #6 Missouri

National Championship:

You asked me to create an event that would combine the passion of America's favorite tournament (March Madness) with America's favorite day (the SuperBowl). Ideally held during the bye week between the NFL Conference Championships and the SuperBowl, college football has its pinnacle event. Use the SuperBowl /Final Four model, rotating the game between warm weather destinations and stadiums fit to hold 60,000+ fans. Create a week for showcasing all that is good with college athletics.

1. #4 Oklahoma v. #2. LSU

Additional points:

1. Cut the regular season down one (or even two) games. There is no reason that teams should play 12 regular season games.

2. Limit August practice substantially. With the new NCF season extending into mid January for a handful of teams, the start of the season should be moved back. Teams won’t have to be worried that an early season loss will kill their national title hopes.

3. When you do finally agree to set up this Winter Madness, agree to pay the architect, Dav, one-tenth of one percent of the television contract. With this, I will comfortably retire from professional work and bring my problem solving skills to the quagmire in the Middle East.