Down with the BCS

I may offend some people with this blog. Big corporations and people trying to make money off of college athletes mostly.

In a nutshell, the BCS system is the biggest crock of shit in athletics period. Period.

In what other venue does the championship system give absolutely no hope to any program who does not happen to be in the conferences of the chosen few? None, that's what. In figure skating for God's sake everyone has the opportunity to make it to the national championships. The Bowl Championship Series discriminates against any small time Cinderellas or dark horses fighting for a chance at a title. There will be no 2010 Butler Bulldogs in Division 1 college football. The BCS would never allow such a thing. They only reserve those championships spots for the likes of Ohio State, USC, Florida and Texas. All small time conference powerhouses (*cough* Boise State & TCU) will never get a crack at the top as long as the powers that be can help it.

What makes the BCS system disgusting is the lack of a playoff. A team just has to win 6 games to be eligible for a trip to a bowl game. 6 games out a 12 game season. Who wants to see a .500 team playing another .500 team in the San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl? Not I, said the cat. The sheer lack of regard for honoring solid teams in this present system is utterly ridiculous. If NCAA football had a playoff situation similar to that of NCAA basketball, it would be the biggest ticket in sports. March Madness would pale in comparison to the Rumble in December.

"Oh, but the student-athletes have finals in December", the fat pocketed administrations say. First of all, what "student-athletes" (especially ones at major programs) really care about finals? And which ones aren't all but hand-fed their work up until they sit down to take the test? Spare me the phony "the student comes before the athlete" propaganda. Second, the whole test dilemma doesnt hold any water because all NCAA college basketball players are taking mid-terms during March Madness. And your point is, Mr. BCS president?

King's Ransom

Since the decision heard around the world back in July, the main story surrounding LeBron James has been what will happened when he makes his return to the shunned city of Cleveland and his old stomping ground of Quicken Loans Arena.

James' return has garnered more attention than even the Heat's lowly 12-8 record. The anger of the Cleveland fans and how LeBron would react grasped everyone's attention. ESPN dedicated hours of coverage to the story and almost salivated at the amount of boos James received as he took the court last night. James is the most hated player in the NBA and the media is eating up every last drop of hatred people have for this man.

Despite looking like a scared puppy during warmups and shaking a bit as he did his "trademark" powder toss (shoutout to MJ), James made the most of the game earning a season high 38 points as the Heat trounced the Cavs 118-90. Perhaps the highlights of the game for me came from the fan chants and signs. "LeBum" and "The Lyin' King" practically put me in stitches.

I can't say I'm not sitting back and laughing at LeBron turning into Public Enemy #1. James "Decision" special followed by his contrived "What Should I Do" commercial practically made me lose my lunch. How dare James, who has 0 championships to his name, let's not forget, take shots at Jordan who is, without a doubt, the G.O.A.T. This showcased James' arrogance and mentality that he really thinks he's above all other players and above being a classy individual and respecting the dignity of the game.

It wasn't the fact that James left his home state team after seven years, but the arrogant, attention-getting way in which he did it. If he would have held a simple press conference and said "look, I want to win a championship and things just aren't working out here in Cleveland" and quietly journeyed to Miami, people would have had a lot less anger toward him. This is exactly why former Cavs C Zydrunas Illgauskas was cheered as he took the floor in a Heat uniform.

It wasn't what he did, but how he did it, and this is why, LeBron, "Akron hates you."

Copyright @TheDivineMsRoss