Should the Cotton Bowl be the 5th BCS game?

[donewithdale]

That's what is known as football weather. If you want to be warm and cozy, then your sport is baseball...or ugh! basketball.

Bowl games are rewards.  The best bowl games should come with trips to cities with consistently good weather for the teams, fans and the game.  Until they do away with the bowls, Dallas should not be mentioned for the BCS or the NC game.  San Diego, San Antonio, Tampa and Orlando > than Dallas.  Only Jerry's stadium and Dallas money are reasons to even mention the Cotton Bowl as a possibility for the BCS.

[Fisticuffs]

Bowl games are rewards.  The best bowl games should come with trips to cities with consistently good weather for the teams, fans and the game.  Until they do away with the bowls, Dallas should not be mentioned for the BCS or the NC game.  San Diego, San Antonio, Tampa and Orlando > than Dallas.  Only Jerry's stadium and Dallas money are reasons to even mention the Cotton Bowl as a possibility for the BCS.

Your using weather as a factor??

And yes JJs stadium is THE reason.

[donewithdale]

Your using weather as a factor??

And yes JJs stadium is THE reason.

I guess weather isn't a factor with where bowls are played.  That is why the Motor City and Humanitarian are such big time bowls.  Or the Garden State Bowl has survived all of these years to be such a prized destination.  Nah, the weather should be no factor at all when deciding where to send the best teams and their fans in January.  Wonder if Minneapolis or Green Bay would be interested in hosting a BCS game?  I really think Detroit should make a run at it too. 

[Kris P. Bacon]

I guess weather isn't a factor with where bowls are played.  That is why the Motor City and Humanitarian are such big time bowls.  Or the Garden State Bowl has survived all of these years to be such a prized destination.  Nah, the weather should be no factor at all when deciding where to send the best teams and their fans in January.  Wonder if Minneapolis or Green Bay would be interested in hosting a BCS game?  I really think Detroit should make a run at it too. 

Now you are coming around! 

[ErieHog]

This is a "chicken and egg" argument; if you had taken the Big 12 and/or SEC away from the Orange bowl 20 years ago, it would have gone to crap as well.  That is what happened to the Cotton Bowl.  And then, the era of domed stadiums made the weather in Dallas a factor.

In the era BEFORE (a) Arkansas left the SWC and (b) the BCS, the Cotton Bowl WAS one of the "Big Four" by any definition.  But when the SWC fragmented and disolved, AND the BCS came on the scene, the relative importance of the Cotton Bowl game did, in fact, digress.  Keep in mind, this began in the era when all bowls were tied to specific conferences. 

These days, conference affiliations are superceeded by BCS rankings, ensuring that all BCS bowls get good matchups.  There is no reason why the Cotton Bowl - in the premier sports facility in the world, and in the middle of traditional football popularity - cannot regain it's top tier status immediately upon inclusion in the BCS.

And it will (and you guys are gonna love this) - just as I predicted when Jerry first announced his plans for the new stadium 2 or 3 years ago.  Domino number one of my prediction (the moving of the Cotton Bowl game to Arlington) was announced a year ago, and the first game will occur after this fall's season.  Step 2 - announcement of the Cotton Bowl in the BCS - will occur in the next iteration of BCS negotiations, scheduled for about 3 years from now.

For the record, I've also said many times that the ONLY playoff college football needs is the "Plus one", with the same BCS "seeding" as occurs now, with #1 playing #4 in one bowl (on a rotation basis), #3 playing #4, and then the two winners playing 2 weeks later (Jan 15-20), which gives fans of the two teams time to make plans to attend, get lodging, tickets, etc.

Why not include 16 - or 8?  Well, in the history of college football, there has never been a case where a team with 2 or 3 losses (and ranked, say, #12) could upset an undefeated team ranked #1 all season and catapult ahead of them; it defeats the purpose of the regular season that is so exciting from beginning to end already.  No - if you were to review every season in the last 50 or 60 years, there has only been 2, 3 or MAYBE 4 teams that were legitimate contenders for the National Championship by the end of the regular season.  Those are the only teams that should compete for the Championship, and the Plus 1 allows all of them to be included.  If the number 4 team (a team with probably 1 loss most years) pulls two "upsets" in a row, well then their record will be equal to or better than the teams formerly ranked above them - plus they would have defeated 2 of them, therefore deserving the top spot.

Aside from that traditional argument, there is an even bigger case to be made against a larger playoff from the logistics perspective.  Too many games for too many fans to travel to in too short a time (short version of the explanation).

Sorry, but you are dead wrong.  The Cotton Bowl died well before the Razorbacks left the SWC.   It was  shell of it's former self.   You completely ignore the gap of the Bowl Alliance period that covered a decade.   The bowl did not, and does not carry as much credibility as any of a host of other bowls.

Sports markets are driven by people under 45; those people remember the Cotton Bowl as only the New Year's Day game that you watched while the hangover wears off, before the real football starts.

[rogersvillemohog]

So we should have double elimination with a series of best out of 3 for the National championship?

Sure... Why not...

[WizardofhOgZ]

Sorry, but you are dead wrong.  The Cotton Bowl died well before the Razorbacks left the SWC.   It was  shell of it's former self.   You completely ignore the gap of the Bowl Alliance period that covered a decade.   The bowl did not, and does not carry as much credibility as any of a host of other bowls.

Sports markets are driven by people under 45; those people remember the Cotton Bowl as only the New Year's Day game that you watched while the hangover wears off, before the real football starts.

No one denys that the relevance of the game has been down; what is up for debate is just when that began.

As recently as 1994 (15 years ago), we had a Top 10 A&M vs. Notre Dame two years in a row; before that, Florida State played the Aggies in the Cotton Bowl, preceeded by Texas and Miami in 1991, and our game against Tennessee before that.  I would hardly call any of those game "irrelevant".  They were matchups of Top 10 (and some Top 5) teams, which is usually what the "Big Four" or BCS get.

But regardless of when it started - for the sake of argument, let's say it was 30 years ago - NO ONE denys that in 1975, the Cotton Bowl was one of THE top four.  No question.  And, in that day, the Fiesta Bowl was "just another bowl".  My point it, if it can change from then to now, it most certainly can change again!

The logistics and money in Dallas (and Texas in general) will dictate that this transition occurs now that the weather element has been taken out of the picture.  The new venue is clearly miles ahead of any of the other BCS facilities, and that is a factor.  By the time the BCS decision comes up in a few years, Jerryworld will already have a successful track record of hosting the Super Bowl, Final Four, etc. and it will become part of the BCS.  Get ready for it because it will happen.

[ErieHog]

No one denys that the relevance of the game has been down; what is up for debate is just when that began.

As recently as 1994 (15 years ago), we had a Top 10 A&M vs. Notre Dame two years in a row; before that, Florida State played the Aggies in the Cotton Bowl, preceeded by Texas and Miami in 1991, and our game against Tennessee before that.  I would hardly call any of those game "irrelevant".  They were matchups of Top 10 (and some Top 5) teams, which is usually what the "Big Four" or BCS get.

But regardless of when it started - for the sake of argument, let's say it was 30 years ago - NO ONE denys that in 1975, the Cotton Bowl was one of THE top four.  No question.  And, in that day, the Fiesta Bowl was "just another bowl".  My point it, if it can change from then to now, it most certainly can change again!

The logistics and money in Dallas (and Texas in general) will dictate that this transition occurs now that the weather element has been taken out of the picture.  The new venue is clearly miles ahead of any of the other BCS facilities, and that is a factor.  By the time the BCS decision comes up in a few years, Jerryworld will already have a successful track record of hosting the Super Bowl, Final Four, etc. and it will become part of the BCS.  Get ready for it because it will happen.

Each and every one of those games was 'irrelevant';  featuring 2 Top 10 teams, or even one Top 5, doesn't make you elite.       The 'Big Four' get all of the Top 8.  Even before the Bowl Alliance system, it was extremely rare to get anything other than 6 or 7 of the Top 8 in Bowl Alliance games.

Yes, JerryWorld will be the best stadium out there-- but it's not leaps and bounds beyond the Fiesta Bowl's facilities;  within a few years, it is unlikely to be the top of the heap for very long.

There is absolutely nothing, short of a mountain of guaranteed money, that will make the BCS reformulate.   Right now, they have a golden goose, and they aren't changing a thing through 2014.

[Fisticuffs]

Makes no difference at all to me.  "Bowl Championship Series" is a name without meaning.  Its not a "Championship."  Its not a "Seiries."  Its just a bowl game.  WTH difference does it make?

I agree. And changing D-1A and D-1AA to FBS and FCS.... what was the point?

[RedSatinHog]

I don't believe the Cotton Bowl would be a good selection, and that mainly has to do with weather.

It has been known to be quite miserable around Jan 1st in Dallas.  The ice storms they've been known to experience around that time frame will be a downer to attendance numbers, regardless of whether they play the game indoors or not.

Orlando would be a better selection IMHO.

[Kenny Dowell Loggains]

Just my opinion... I like the Cotton Bowl being the 5th BCS bowl and getting rid of the BCS title game.  It's a great bowl with great tradition.  I liked it when the NCAA rotated the bowls each year for the BCS title game.  If the Cowboys Stadium is in fact the new site for the Cotton Bowl, it will present a huge national stage and the best stadium in the world an opportunity to host the BCS title game.  Dallas is a massive market for sports and has some of the finest accommodations for travelers.  Plus, I think it would give the people in the Midwestern part of the country a good opportunity to go to a BCS title game.  It's a long way for some to travel to Phoenix, L.A., New Orleans, and Miami... Dallas makes for a nice central location for most of the country.

[Kenny Dowell Loggains]

I don't believe the Cotton Bowl would be a good selection, and that mainly has to do with weather.

It has been known to be quite miserable around Jan 1st in Dallas.  The ice storms they've been known to experience around that time frame will be a downer to attendance numbers, regardless of whether they play the game indoors or not.

Orlando would be a better selection IMHO.

Weather would be one of my only concerns as well.  We all know that wind coming across Texas in January can be bitter!

[Hey Super]

now that its in the new cowboys stadium it would be truly fitting.

[WizardofhOgZ]

Each and every one of those games was 'irrelevant';  featuring 2 Top 10 teams, or even one Top 5, doesn't make you elite.       The 'Big Four' get all of the Top 8.  Even before the Bowl Alliance system, it was extremely rare to get anything other than 6 or 7 of the Top 8 in Bowl Alliance games.

Well - what is your definition of "relevant"?  ONLY the game having the #1 team and another top 5 team?  That would be one "relevant" bowl a year. 

"The 'Big Four' get all of the top 8" - Gee, thanks there, Captain Obvious.  OF COURSE they do - that's how the BCS is set up.  ANY BOWLS involved in the BCS would get those team (obviously, Top 10 if five bowls were involved).  That doesn't make the Cotton Bowl inherently inferior; it simply means they aren't a part of the BCS - which we all know.  When they ARE a part of the BCS, they will have games to rival the other four games.

And it will happen.  You mention 2014 - I said when next it comes up for negotiation, understanding the timetable you reference.  But it won't be that long before it is discussed and decided upon.  There will be an announcement probably by 2012 at the latest.

I don't believe the Cotton Bowl would be a good selection, and that mainly has to do with weather.

It has been known to be quite miserable around Jan 1st in Dallas.  The ice storms they've been known to experience around that time frame will be a downer to attendance numbers, regardless of whether they play the game indoors or not.

Orlando would be a better selection IMHO.

Sorry, but that's ridiculous.  The Dallas/Fort Worth area is a very desireable place for fans to visit and enjoy New Years activities at.  In fact, one thing most here don't know is that the Cotton Bowl has ALWAYS enjoyed a reputation at the top of the hospitality list.  Teams love coming here.  The only thing that has lagged, over the past 20 years or so, is the level of the teams and the aging facility.  With the new Cowboys Stadium and once they are plugged into the BCS, all of that will fall into place.

[ErieHog]

Well - what is your definition of "relevant"?  ONLY the game having the #1 team and another top 5 team?  That would be one "relevant" bowl a year. 

"The 'Big Four' get all of the top 8" - Gee, thanks there, Captain Obvious.  OF COURSE they do - that's how the BCS is set up.  ANY BOWLS involved in the BCS would get those team (obviously, Top 10 if five bowls were involved).  That doesn't make the Cotton Bowl inherently inferior; it simply means they aren't a part of the BCS - which we all know.  When they ARE a part of the BCS, they will have games to rival the other four games.

And it will happen.  You mention 2014 - I said when next it comes up for negotiation, understanding the timetable you reference.  But it won't be that long before it is discussed and decided upon.  There will be an announcement probably by 2012 at the latest.


Sorry, but that's ridiculous.  The Dallas/Fort Worth area is a very desireable place for fans to visit and enjoy New Years activities at.  In fact, one thing most here don't know is that the Cotton Bowl has ALWAYS enjoyed a reputation at the top of the hospitality list.  Teams love coming here.  The only thing that has lagged, over the past 20 years or so, is the level of the teams and the aging facility.  With the new Cowboys Stadium and once they are plugged into the BCS, all of that will fall into place.

Hate to break it to you, but it's 2 bowls a year under the BCS era; usually only one or two bowl games mattered during the Bowl Alliance.

There's absolutely no reason *to* expect it to happen.  The current format is extremely lucrative, and there's no reason to change it, from that standpoint.

[MuskogeeHogFan]

http://cfn.scout.com/2/877496.html

Interesting discussion on College Football News.. It would be great to see the Cotton Bowl back in the mix.

Since it is going to be held in JerryWorld, perhaps so. But even then, I think I would prefer to see the BCS Bowls played in warmer climates than what Dallas typically generates on New Years Day.

[Root66]

Correct me if I'm on the wrong track here, but isn't JerryWorld a DOMED STADIUM? Why would bad weather really matter one iota?