1998-2008 Highs and Lows of the non-BCS Busters

Below (in the two graphs I have displayed) there are 15 different examples of how the BCS has not treated undefeated teams from the non-BCS fairly. In 1998, Tulane finished the season with a record of 11-0, was ranked #7 in the country for BCS and yet was left out of all 5 BIG GAMES: The FedEx Orange Bowl, The All-State Sugar Bowl, The Tostitas Fiesta Bowl, The Citi Rose Bowl, and the National Championship game presented by Citi.

This also happened to Marshall in 1999 when they went 12-0, TCU in 2000 when they went 10-1, and in 2003 Miami Ohio when they went 11-1.

Not until 2004 did this change when Utah made it to the big show. Utah went 11-0 ranked #6 in the BCS and squashed Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl, 35-7. The next two years 2004 and 2005 Boise State and TCU were left out respectfully. Boise State going 11-0 while TCU went 11-1.

2006 was a big turn of events for non-BCS teams in the BCS. An undefeated Boise State team went 12-0 and ended up being matched up with Oklahoma(a big BCS powerhouse)in the Fiesta Bowl. I don't want to spoil the excitement of what happened(video to come in next post), but nevertheless, Boise State ended up winning and really stating a case for non-BCS teams to be allowed to play in BCS games.

In 2007 non-BCS teams Hawaii made it to the big games. Hawaii ended up losing 41-10 to the Georgia Bulldogs. This really left the media skeptical of the WAC(Western Athletic Conference) (non-BCS) teams.

In 2008 there were three eligible teams, yet only one made it to the game. Utah 12-0, Boise State 12-0, and TCU 10-2 all had strong campaigns for a BCS bowl, but Utah was the only one to make one where they beat Alabama 31-17.

2009 non-BCS Busters

This year 3 non-BCS teams are fighting for a shot at a BCS Bowl. And this is where it gets interesting. Boise State 13-0, BYU 10-2, and TCU 12-0 all are eligible for a shot. Boise State and TCU were both chosen by the Fiesta Bowl, which is completely counter-productive! Both TCU and Boise State had great seasons, went undefeated and now two non-BCS teams will meet in a BCS Bowl! You would think that they would get a match-up with a BCS team to prove they are worthy to duke it out among the best. As a fan, this makes me embarrassed. Robbing two worthy programs of getting a chance to play "Real Time" BCS teams.

http://www.fiestabowl.org/index.php/about/about_fiesta_bowl/