Topic: Memphis AD Johnson: How to get into a BCS conference...

[GreenSteve]

"The waters have calmed down recently [among BCS] conferences," noted Johnson. "We're going to be as committed and dedicated as we possibly can in Conference USA. But we also would like to be, and we should be, and we deserve to be in a BCS conference.

"We've learned a lot in the last few weeks. I'll tell you how we get into a BCS conference. First and foremost, is academics. We've come so far; we don't have to hide anything academically. Then there's football. The BCS is about football. I don't care if we have 19 NCAA championships; they want to know how we'll do in football. The third point is image and reputation. Number of TV sets, facilities, location. How involved is the community?"

http://www.memphisflyer.com/TigerBlue/archives/2010/06/28/rc-johnson-were-not-done-yet

[IM4DHERD]

Just win, baby.

[W0lfman]

I don't believe academics is first and foremost at this point.  I think if all things being equal the schools that have the better academic reputation may get preference, but I dont think that is the rule.  Now if we are talking about the B10, ACC or Pac 10 obviously they can look at strong academics and get strong football candidates as well.  But the Big East doesnt have the same luxury as the ACC, Pac10 or B10.  They need strong football playing members first and foremost.

[guru shudu moonday]

its all about winning. everything else is lip service.

[2xBison]

i've said it before, academics matter............to the big ten and possibley acc a bit...but with FSU you have to wonder about that  even.

it is about winning and mkt.

the other thing I wonder is, what does the memphis AD know about getting into one.........he knows how to buy an ex commish and still not get in.

[W0lfman]

the other thing I wonder is, what does the memphis AD know about getting into one.........he knows how to buy an ex commish and still not get in.

Well said.  One thing they are not is a solid football program.  Maybe that is answer to the question on why they arent in?

[GreenSteve]

Forest and trees guys. For those of you who aren't in this business, don't underestimate the academic profiles of these institutions. Presidents have the final vote on who gets an expansion bid. Period.

2X... you may not know this but FSU is one of the leading contract and grant universities in the country. The average professor brings in more than $90,000.00 per year in research grants and FSU beat MIT for the Magnet Lab. It has a pretty good academic profile despite not being an AAU member.

GreenSteve.

[jocktalker]

The landscape of football is changing.  Schools used to build programs "worthy" of inclusion in major conferences.  The criteria mostly considered success on the field, number of athletic teams sponsored and size of the athletic budgets.  Conferences used to find matches of "like institutions."

The ACC raid on the BE was prompted by a desire to grow membership to qualify for a conference championship game and to cripple the BE in an attempt to land a second BCS bid for the conference.

Today, the new paradim seems to be to find a way to boost television ratings and to negotiate lucrative new TV contracts.  Success on the field, athletic budgets, regional footprints seem to be less important.  Academics will play a role, but the invitation of Nebraska to the Big 10 demonstrates that the Big 10 valued the worth and reputation of the school more than academics.  Despite being an AAU member, Nebraska becomes the lowest ranked member of the league--by a wide margin.

Most still believe that we are headed for mega conferences.  Five 16-team leagues would virtually separate schools that are serious about football from those who simply want a revenue sharing piece of the BCS pie.  It might also eliminate talk about the need for a football playoff. 

Unfortunately, college football has become less about amateurism and more about revenue generation.

[Ovaltine Jenkins]

Florida State Ranks 155th world-wide and 79th in the US among World University Rankings.  I think that says something.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_University

[wvmafia]

I don't believe academics is first and foremost at this point.  I think if all things being equal the schools that have the better academic reputation may get preference

Agreed...if you win (see Utah) you get invited.  If you suck at football and dominate your conference in basketball (see Memphis) you don't. 

The thought that the BCS as an organization gives a damn about ANYTHING other that FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL FACILITIES and MONEY is for mental midgets!

[GreenSteve]

Agreed...if you win (see Utah) you get invited.  If you suck at football and dominate your conference in basketball (see Memphis) you don't. 

The thought that the BCS as an organization gives a damn about ANYTHING other that FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL FACILITIES and MONEY is for mental midgets!

The BCS is not controlling which schools are being moved around. The conferences are.  The Presidents have the vote on which schools are invited in.

Mental Midgets indeed....

GS.

[wvmafia]

The BCS is not controlling which schools are being moved around. The conferences are.  The Presidents have the vote on which schools are invited in.

Mental Midgets indeed....

GS.

I guess that Utah was the best academic school in America that wasn't already in a BCS conference.    I thought that the PAC 10 picked them because of their football program and its prowess.  Thank you for clearing that up for me.  I appreciate the insight into how you intellectuals think!

Post 2

[DJdaHERDfan]

Utah has long been rumored to join the PAC10. Actually, the rumor was always Utah and BYU.
I think they look at program quality and program size coupled with national interest and location, but when the final decision is being mulled over in board meetings, academics rise to the top and can influence the final decision.

I guess in Marshall's situation, if Herd football wins them all this year and goes to a BCS game and wins it. Then the following year wins them all again and wins another BCS game, if there is a conference shuffle, MU would be on the table  for invite. Then when a final decision is made, the presidents look at MU's academic standings.
Football got them in the door, academics either help them fully in or prevent that invitation.
Which outweighs the other? Prominent football program or so-so academic standing.

[wvmafia]

Smack? or Smack down?