Hawaii Representative Abercrombie

[Pastor Gary]

BILL PROPOSAL TO DECLARE BCS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Insisting the Division I-A postseason format does not provide justice for all, Hawai'i Rep. Neil Abercrombie is prepared to propose a bill that would declare the Bowl Championship Series as unconstitutional and call for a playoff system.

He said the current system is unfair to teams from so-called non-major conferences, such as UH of the Western Athletic Conference.

Despite amassing the only unbeaten regular season among the 120 Division I-A teams, the Warriors have little chance of being declared as national champion because of a regular-season schedule that was ranked among the nation's weakest.

Ohio State of the Big Ten Conference and Louisiana State of the Southeastern Conference will meet in the national title game, Jan. 7 in New Orleans.

The Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and Southeastern conferences make up the BCS. They sponsor five postseason bowls, including the national championship game.

BCS bowl participants are selected based on standings involving polls and computer rankings. A team from a non-BCS conference, such as UH, can earn a bowl invitation if it finishes in the top 12 of the BCS standings.

The Warriors, who were ranked No. 10 in the final BCS standings, will play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Jan. 1 in New Orleans.

"They're being let in on sufferance," Abercrombie said. "They're like distant cousins. 'If we're real nice, maybe they'll let us in the house for New Year's festivities.' And we're supposed to be grateful? We're supposed to say, 'Thank you?' For what? They earned their way in. Nobody beat them.

"It's like when people said to (boxer) Rocky Marciano when he retired undefeated: 'Oh, he just took on the bum of the month.' What are you talking about? He beat who was in front of him. That's all you can do is take on who's in front of you, especially when people won't get in front of you."

Abercrombie said the current system is unfair because it is set up to deny non-BCS schools from competing for a national title.

"It's a way of saying there are 120 schools and we're all equal, except some are more equal than others," Abercrombie said. "Remember from 'Animal Farm?' All pigs are equal, but some pigs are more equal than others. There are special troughs for a few of the conferences, and the other conferences get to be on the outer edges of the farm. And sometime, maybe, if you're real good, we'll invite you up to the main trough. If you have a 120-school association, everyone ought to have their shot."

Abercrombie said a system that limits automatic berths to six conferences "is restraint of trade. The automatic qualifiers are still taking care of themselves. I'm saying regardless of what good intentions may be behind this, it's restraint of trade. It's illegal. It's unconstitutional."

He said the best way to resolve the matter would be with a playoff system. All other NCAA football levels have playoffs.

"Do the Warriors work less hard than the (Ohio State) Buckeyes?" Abercrombie said. "I don't think so. Why should they be treated differently? Why shouldn't they have their turn?"

Abercrombie said he expects support from states whose teams did not qualify for the title game.

"I bet I can go to Kansas and Missouri," Abercrombie said. "Ohio won't be so anxious. ... It depends on whose ox is getting gored. I think everyone sees the justice in this (proposal)."

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071211/SPORTS0201/712110355/1032&template=UHsports

[Rob]

PG - I hope he can get it done. We need a playoff especially in a year like we have seen this year.

[KBevangelist]

PG - I hope he can get it done. We need a playoff especially in a year like we have seen this year.

Agreed!!!

Rob that is twice in one week I have agreed with you on sports, the world must be coming to an end

KB

[dalebert]

"Do the Warriors work less hard than the (Ohio State) Buckeyes?" Abercrombie said. "I don't think so. Why should they be treated differently? Why shouldn't they have their turn?"

Abercrombie said he expects support from states whose teams did not qualify for the title game.

Kansas and Missouri had the chance what do you want the Buckeyes to do say"oh I,m sorry you lost , here take our place SINCE YOU CANT WIN THE BIG ONE!!!!!!"

"I bet I can go to Kansas and Missouri," Abercrombie said. "Ohio won't be so anxious. ... It depends on whose ox is getting gored. I think everyone sees the justice in this (proposal)."

Uh...the last time i looked LSU who is also playing in the NC has two loses! Why just mention Ohio State? Its funny how many Buckeyes haters there are from all over and you know what......not only will it brust alot of folks bubbles when Ohio State wins the NC but I will be the first to be on line to say "Eat My Shorts!"

I have never seen so much jealous people in my life that just cant stand the fact the Ohio State is a great football team and has great talented young men on the team that plays to win!

There were how many schools that could have been in ther NC besides Ohio State but LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the chance! LSU also backed in the back door but i hear NOTHING about them!!!!!!!! Good greif i hope people will give it a rest!!!!

Is this guy saying that Hawaii should be there in the NC with LSU? I think Kansas and Missouri should be there before Hawaii!!!!! This dude should worry about the Sugar bowl and getting passed a great team there before he puts his mouth in motion about Hawaii playing in the NC !!!!

Sorry for running my mouth Im just tired of hearing all this stuff about how ohio State doesnt deserve to be there but one thing about it......i will be watching MY TEAM on Jan 7th play in the NC win or lose, who will you be watching?

[turbotim]

Uh...the last time i looked LSU who is also playing in the NC has two loses! Why just mention Ohio State? Its funny how many Buckeyes haters there are from all over and you know what......not only will it brust alot of folks bubbles when Ohio State wins the NC but I will be the first to be on line to say "Eat My Shorts!"

I have never seen so much jealous people in my life that just cant stand the fact the Ohio State is a great football team and has great talented young men on the team that plays to win!

There were how many schools that could have been in ther NC besides Ohio State but LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the chance! LSU also backed in the back door but i hear NOTHING about them!!!!!!!! Good greif i hope people will give it a rest!!!!

Is this guy saying that Hawaii should be there in the NC with LSU? I think Kansas and Missouri should be there before Hawaii!!!!! This dude should worry about the Sugar bowl and getting passed a great team there before he puts his mouth in motion about Hawaii playing in the NC !!!!

Sorry for running my mouth Im just tired of hearing all this stuff about how ohio State doesnt deserve to be there but one thing about it......i will be watching MY TEAM on Jan 7th play in the NC win or lose, who will you be watching?

Sorry that made me laugh. I suppose like you will be doing if LSU loses. That's ok!! Laughter's good for the soul. I would love to see Hawaii play against OSU. Or even LSU....

Are you proving his point that OSU folks wouldn't want a playoff.. I agree with having a playoff and I think the SEC would be all for it and they have good teams. Why would the good teams in the Big 10 not agree?

[Rob]

I have never seen so much jealous people in my life that just cant stand the fact the Ohio State is a great football team and has great talented young men on the team that plays to win!

Dale are you kidding me? OSU a "great" football team?, with "great" talented young men? Are you kidding me?

This OSU team is not near as talented as last years team that was blown out by Florida. No A.J Hawk, no Ted Ginn, Jr., no Troy Smith. This is a good OSU team, but not a great team.

Here's the truth of the matter. There were no great teams in college football this year. There were several good teams, and OSU is one of them. As is LSU, UGA, OK, Va. Tech, WVU and others.

Another point to consider, this year the Big Ten Conference was average at best not a great team in the league and as a matter of fact only really one good team and that would be OSU.

I think the guy was trying to say and this year proves it that we need a playoff in D-1 football. In my opinion I don't think the NC game is going to prove anything with regards to a true NC other than the fact that on that night whoever wins was better than the loser on that given night.

Having said that I do hope your buckeyes have a better showing this year than last.

And by the way on Jan. 7, I will be watching the game, rooting for really no one just hoping for a good game. On Jan. 2 I will be watching the Fiesta Bowl rooting for WVU, and hoping for a good game.

[turbotim]

I agree Rob. I changed great to good because I agree there were no great teams this year. Good point.

[Rob]

I agree Rob. I changed great to good because I agree there were no great teams this year. Good point.

What is up with all you SEC guys agreeing with a BE guy?

[turbotim]

I agree Rob. I changed great to good because I agree there were no great teams this year. Good point.

What is up with all you SEC guys agreeing with a BE guy?

Pastor Gary has been preaching at us too much.

[dalebert]

Dale are you kidding me? OSU a "great" football team?, with "great" talented young men? Are you kidding me?

This OSU team is not near as talented as last years team that was blown out by Florida. No A.J Hawk, no Ted Ginn, Jr., no Troy Smith. This is a good OSU team, but not a great team.

Rob yes i mean great! Before the season OSU was picked to finish no higher than 5th place in the B10! But they won the B10 outright! They have the #one defense in the country! The Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring defense, pass defense and total defense.
LB James Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award and was a finalist for the Lombardi, Nagurski, Bednarik and Lott awards. Brian Robiskie has caught a pass in 24 consecutive games.

T Cameron Heyward, Ohio State Freshman Sporting News All American, LB James Laurinaitis, Sporting News All American.

Not bad for a team that was in a rebuilding year uh? Yes i say great because these young men made it happen! U say good and thats ok...its all on how u look at it!

[Rob]

Not bad for a team that was in a rebuilding year uh? Yes i say great because these young men made it happen! U say good and thats ok...its all on how u look at it!

Dale, the only folks that would agree with you that this OSU team is a great team either 1 reside in Ohio or #2 are OSU fans. Which they are suppose to say for their team.

However, most folks would say that OSU is a very good team, but not a great team. When you play the likes of who they have had to play this year (and I know you can that about a lot of teams this year) it is easy to have the #1 defense. I would think you would have to admit this OSU team has not played a very tough schedule out of conference and the Big Ten this was not the conference it has been in years past.

Having said all of that, I don't believe there is a great team in College Football this year. A lot of good teams, but not a team that when you watch them you sit back and say "WOW" that is a great team!

While I wish you well in the NC game I hope we do not have another blow-out like last year.

[dalebert]

While I wish you well in the NC game I hope we do not have another blow-out like last year.

r u refering an OSU blow out or a LSU blow out?

[turbotim]

While I wish you well in the NC game I hope we do not have another blow-out like last year.

r u refering an OSU blow out or a LSU blow out?

From what he said, it looks like an LSU blow out.....