By MIKE BONTS
FLORIDA
SPORTS WIRE
JACKSONVILLE,
Fla. - You
knew it was going to happen. Ohio State would be in the first college football
playoff.
National
media influence, or worse, coerced the selection committee to place Ohio State in
the top four playoff teams at No. 4, bumping a much more deserving TCU or
Baylor of the Big 12 to the side of the road.
A sad day
for college football.
We
already knew the power of national television in determining opponents, dates,
times and sites for games. Today's announcement certainly brings into question
what else they can influence.
With an
eye on high ratings and making the most revenue, TV, especially ABC and their
ESPN, have openly lobbied for Ohio State way before the Buckeyes' win in the
Big Ten Championship game over Wisconsin.
It
worked. Alabama will play Ohio State in the
Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. Oregon will take on Florida State in the Rose Bowl, also
on New Year's Day. The winners will play for the national championship on Jan.
12.
OSU has
been ESPN's poster boy from the start. Commentators and anchors slobber all over themselves
searching for the right adjectives to proclaim Urban Meyer's team as playoff
worthy.
Now you
will hear 100 times that "they got it right" when referring to the appointed selection committee. Consider the source and their
motives. There have been more ESPN sound bites and features this season on Meyer and
OSU than any other major college team or coach.
The love
affair continues. College football fans should be outraged. The Bowl
Championship Series (BCS) was not perfect. But didn't leave a bad taste in your
mouth.
Members
of the selection committee showed a lack of integrity or knowledge, or worse
yet, were unduly influenced by media reports to make a mockery of new college
football's playoff system.
The thinking was simple. TCU or Baylor would certainly not deliver the TV audience of a historic national power.
The thinking was simple. TCU or Baylor would certainly not deliver the TV audience of a historic national power.
The BCS
was fairer. Better. And much more legit.
If you
don't believe me, just ask Art Briles or Gary Patterson.