The Rose Bowl Versus the Plus One
Nebraska football fans understand history and tradition as much anyone can. The University made a change that greatly affected the college sports landscape and the rich histories held in the Big 12/Big Eight realms.
The decision to break away from a conference that had members with as long as 100 year histories against the Huskers was not a simple one. It seems like a new difficult decision may be looming on the horizon for the Big Ten Conference, and more is at stake than even seemed possible during the conference realignment that was started a few short years ago.
Knowing that Husker fans have a limited exposure to the completely new set of traditions and experiences in the Big Ten, it is important to note some of the long term factors at stake in the Big Ten. The Rose Bose, nicknamed "The Grandaddy of Them All" because it was the oldest bowl game, has ben played annually since 1916. The Big Ten Conference had maintained a consistent relationship with the Rose Bowl since the 1960's and the current agreement is to send the champion of the conference to face the Pac-12 conference champion.
Currently, all of the conference members appear to be highly intent on maintaining a relationship with the Rose Bowl. This desire to drive the champions of both leagues into this game could lead to serious issues in the discussion of the Plus-One/4-team playoff suggestion. Even as recently as two months ago, the conference and its members appeared dead set against a playoff in any format.
But as it has seemed with many of the driving factors of college sports decisions, the money factor is not to be ignored. Some estimates point towards a $400 million windfall for the football final four, twice what the current BCS format brings in. Commissioner Jim Delany pointed to the outcry from the conference fans that the current system has some failures in it, but it is difficult to fathom that the money involved is not driving the talks.
So the question becomes, what is to become of the value of the Rose Bowl? All indications are that a playoff of some type will be proposed and accepted within the next few years. Assuming that a Big Ten Conference member is in a potential "Plus One discussion" until the end of any given year, the game can become a less attractive television matchup, and a less desirable travel destination.
The Rose Bowl brand is one that could become watered down. Any favorable decision for a national four team playoff is inevitably going to have negative implications towards the "Grandaddy". There are legitimate suggestions to minimize this impact, but the Big Ten's stance towards the Plus One is a mark against the Rose Bowl.
2/13/2012
To my way of thinking the biggest problem is that there are so many bowls. With over 30 by my last count and teams making it to bowl games with .500 records, bowls have become a waste of time in my opinion…
When there were fewer bowl games and they were a bigger honor to be selected, perhaps this playoff talk would have reduced their relevance. The thing is that the way bowl games have become money grabs has reduced the relevance. Playoffs, IMHO would be a step toward bringing relevance back.
Kansas City, MO
2/13/2012
Currently, there is a plan being bandied about to require teams to win at least 7 games to make it to a bowl. I think that would eliminate at least a half dozen, or more. Maybe the bowls have already watered down their brand and to make the big ones stay relevant, a playoff is the way to go.
2/14/2012
Yes, there are way too many bowls and a 7 win requirement would help. However, one reason for diminished rating of the bowls has to be the fact that ESPN has a monopoly on the bowls. I have barely seen a bowl game these past two years, and haven’t watched a national championship game, because I don’t have cable (Its not because of lack of interest).
I would love to see a true 4-team playoff, and believe you can still have good bowl games without the top four teams (as long as they’re not all on ESPN).
Boston, MA
2/15/2012
If a team wins the Big Ten Championship and is one of the top 4 teams in the nation, let the coaches and players decide whether they jump into a plus-one playoff or go to the Rose Bowl. I’m guessing most coaches and players want their shot on the field, regardless of some seemingly archaic 100 year old tradition.
I don’t see why some Big Ten traditionalists has their panties in a twist over this already. It isn’t exactly like Big Ten teams have been setting fire to the BCS system lately. Also, it seems it would be in the Big Ten’s best interest to make a plus one work. A couple of cold weather games and big backs crashing between the tackles might help unseat the SEC.