Jerry Palm on Matt & Miller

[CycloneWarning]

Probably Boise St. as they are the least attractive at large team (from the bowls perspective, not mine) and if I am reading the rules correctly the Fiest would have the last choice.

Here are the rules: CFB - - FOX Sports on MSN

I think the Fiesta actually gets one of the first choices since they are affiliated with the Big 12. If UT makes the championship game, the BCS Bowl that loses their representative (Fiesta/Big 12) moves up to the top of the selection order. So, Fiesta will pick between OkState/Iowa/Penn State first to get the BCS conference team they want.

Then, the selections go around to the other BCS bowls and come back for a second round. In their second round of picks, Fiesta will have to choose between taking Boise State or maybe taking another from the group of OkState/Iowa/Penn State. Of course, in actuality, I think the BCS Bowls pretty much work out who goes where and the "selection" process is a formality.

I really don't know why some Iowa fans are confident the Fiesta does not want OkState or Boise St. BSU played OU in one of the best bowl games in history, and Boise State brought a ton of fans. OkState is the from the traditional Big 12 tie in, and would probably also be expected to bring a good contingent.

[dmclone]

A lot of it comes down to TV ratings PSU>Iowa>Boise

[TedKumsher]

Maybe I'm not interpreting the rules correctly, but wouldn't Iowa have to finish in the top 14 to even be considered for an at large?

Does anyone else think it's a possibility that Penn State jumps them in the rankings if they win big against Michigan State? Any chance Stanford jumps them if they win out against #25 Cal and Notre Dame?

Not predicting or cheering for one thing or the other. Just curious if anyone else thinks this is a possibility...

Considering that (I believe) 2/3 of the BCS rank formula in based on human polls -- then obviously. Penn State plasters Michigan State, Iowa squeaks by Minn. Computers don't have "style points", but humans do.

[JonDMiller]

A lot of it comes down to TV ratings PSU>Iowa>Boise

TV ratings are a distant third in the pecking order of what bowl committees chew on and this year as it pertains to the Fiesta, a more distant third.

The first thought is about economic impact for the community, which is why bowl games came to be in the first place. next is fannies in the seats, which has a tie to the economic impact on the community. Then comes ratings, but it's not a third/third/third of importance.

As it relates to the Fiesta this year, they are not on Fox next year, they are on ESPN. This year's Fiesta Bowl commercial inventory has mostly been sold, based on last year's numbers for the game that was on Fox.

Also, a lot has been discussed about Penn State's TV drawing power.

Back in week four of this year, they were #5 in the nation and in the national title hunt at that ranking. Iowa vs PSU was on Prime Time Saturday night on ABC at Penn State. The game drew a 4.0 rating, one of the lowest ratings for a Saturday night prime time spot in the last few years. Their draw is overplayed...a Big Ten team in a prime time bowl game unopposed from any other football game that night and one of the last three major college football games for the year is going to get eyeballs. This is a bit of a red herring.

[TedKumsher]

The BCS selecting a non-AQ school is simple.
. . .

[d4nim4l]

Where was I wrong? Highest ranked non-AQ that is over #8 gets in. Plain and simple. Assuming one is undefeated it will be TCU or Boise.

[Clones33]

I think he was just laughing at you saying it was simple and then explaining it with 5 paragraphs. You aren't wrong as far as I know.

[Clones33]

I think the Fiesta actually gets one of the first choices since they are affiliated with the Big 12. If UT makes the championship game, the BCS Bowl that loses their representative (Fiesta/Big 12) moves up to the top of the selection order. So, Fiesta will pick between OkState/Iowa/Penn State first to get the BCS conference team they want.

Then, the selections go around to the other BCS bowls and come back for a second round. In their second round of picks, Fiesta will have to choose between taking Boise State or maybe taking another from the group of OkState/Iowa/Penn State. Of course, in actuality, I think the BCS Bowls pretty much work out who goes where and the "selection" process is a formality.

I really don't know why some Iowa fans are confident the Fiesta does not want OkState or Boise St. BSU played OU in one of the best bowl games in history, and Boise State brought a ton of fans. OkState is the from the traditional Big 12 tie in, and would probably also be expected to bring a good contingent.

The Fiesta does get first choice to replace Texas, but with all the other bowl tie-ins and Auto-Qualifiers, they will be limited their with their second choice. I am confidant that OkSt will be the choice if they beat OU on Saturday. If they don't then Iowa has just as good of a chance as any other team to be chosen there.

It is my understanding that the BCS bowls do not really work well together in creating the match-ups or selecting teams and there really is a selection process with the teams that will fit what Jon said going first and the less attractive AQ's going last.

[DaddyMac]

Also, a lot has been discussed about Penn State's TV drawing power.

Back in week four of this year, they were #5 in the nation and in the national title hunt at that ranking. Iowa vs PSU was on Prime Time Saturday night on ABC at Penn State. The game drew a 4.0 rating, one of the lowest ratings for a Saturday night prime time spot in the last few years. Their draw is overplayed...a Big Ten team in a prime time bowl game unopposed from any other football game that night and one of the last three major college football games for the year is going to get eyeballs. This is a bit of a red herring.

Could you perhaps clarify this a bit Jon?

Isn't your example an equal indictment of iowa too? Since they were the other half of the "draw" for that game?

Or at least explain why Iowa would be a better tv draw than PSU? I understand and agree with your assertation that ratings are down on the requirement list. But at the same time, I don't think it's as far as you'd like to present. These games live off sponsors, sponsors figure that money comes back via advertising, advertising requires eyeballs (unless your Major League Baseball). So any consistent low tv ratings won't sit well with bowls.

[cybsball20]

I don't think it really matters who plays, butts in the seat isn't an issue.

2009 Ohio State v. Texas 72,047
2008 West Virginia v. Oklahoma 70,016
2007 Boise St. v. Oklahoma 73,719
2006 Ohio St. v. Notre Dame 76,196
2005 Utah v. Pitt 73,519
2004 Kansas State v. Ohio State 73,425

Two of the three best attended games included Non-BCS teams

[dmclone]

TV ratings are a distant third in the pecking order of what bowl committees chew on and this year as it pertains to the Fiesta, a more distant third.

The first thought is about economic impact for the community, which is why bowl games came to be in the first place. next is fannies in the seats, which has a tie to the economic impact on the community. Then comes ratings, but it's not a third/third/third of importance.

As it relates to the Fiesta this year, they are not on Fox next year, they are on ESPN. This year's Fiesta Bowl commercial inventory has mostly been sold, based on last year's numbers for the game that was on Fox.

Also, a lot has been discussed about Penn State's TV drawing power.

Back in week four of this year, they were #5 in the nation and in the national title hunt at that ranking. Iowa vs PSU was on Prime Time Saturday night on ABC at Penn State. The game drew a 4.0 rating, one of the lowest ratings for a Saturday night prime time spot in the last few years. Their draw is overplayed...a Big Ten team in a prime time bowl game unopposed from any other football game that night and one of the last three major college football games for the year is going to get eyeballs. This is a bit of a red herring.

How were ratings for PSU Vs. Ohio State?

[ISUFan22]

The system could leave out the #5 team in the country...an undefeated Boise State team just because of a stupid rule that only 1 non-BCS team has to be selected. There will likely be 5 undefeated teams this year (could have been six but some conferences choose to play a championship game while others do not) and only 2 of those teams have a shot at a national title.

The system could also select a Penn State team who is behind Iowa in the BCS standings and who LOST to Iowa at home all because they have more TV sets in their state.

Yep, the system is working perfectly...

This.

[hawkeyescott]

Could you perhaps clarify this a bit Jon?

Isn't your example an equal indictment of iowa too? Since they were the other half of the "draw" for that game?

Or at least explain why Iowa would be a better tv draw than PSU? I understand and agree with your assertation that ratings are down on the requirement list. But at the same time, I don't think it's as far as you'd like to present. These games live off sponsors, sponsors figure that money comes back via advertising, advertising requires eyeballs (unless your Major League Baseball). So any consistent low tv ratings won't sit well with bowls.

I think you are missing the point about tv ratings this year. The spots for ads are sold based on last years ratings, so the spots for this years game are already sold. Well Fox won't have the Fiesta Bowl next year as it goes to ESPN so Fox won't care what the ratings are because the higher the ratings the more money ESPN can charge next year without Fox getting anything. That is why Fox and the Fiesta Bowl will want butts in the seats more so than ever this year and will try to get the best two travelling teams they can to fill the stadium. Besides the ratings will take care of themselves as it is the only game on that night and no Monday Night Football to compete with.

[DaddyMac]

I think you are missing the point about tv ratings this year. The spots for ads are sold based on last years ratings, so the spots for this years game are already sold. Well Fox won't have the Fiesta Bowl next year as it goes to ESPN so Fox won't care what the ratings are because the higher the ratings the more money ESPN can charge next year without Fox getting anything. That is why Fox and the Fiesta Bowl will want butts in the seats more so than ever this year and will try to get the best two travelling teams they can to fill the stadium. Besides the ratings will take care of themselves as it is the only game on that night and no Monday Night Football to compete with.

Right, but you're misunderstanding me. It's irrelevant WHO is broadcasting the game - at least somewhat. The bowl still has it's list of sponsors, and those sponsors need to be appeased and see good ratings, etc and so on - so the sponsors get a return on their investemtn. Not ESPN or FOX - although they would have similar concerns. I doubt there's a tremendous concern for Tostitos who is airing the game. Just that as many millions as possible see the name "Tostitos" plastered all over their tv screens.

And the bowl certainly wants to see as high of ratings as it can so the BOWL can demand more and more of the tv deal going forward.

But I do agree otherwise -these games will draw pretty huge regardless of who's there, as they will be the only game on that evening.

[JonDMiller]

Could you perhaps clarify this a bit Jon?

Isn't your example an equal indictment of iowa too? Since they were the other half of the "draw" for that game?

Or at least explain why Iowa would be a better tv draw than PSU? I understand and agree with your assertation that ratings are down on the requirement list. But at the same time, I don't think it's as far as you'd like to present. These games live off sponsors, sponsors figure that money comes back via advertising, advertising requires eyeballs (unless your Major League Baseball). So any consistent low tv ratings won't sit well with bowls.

My overall assertion is that the ratings for the potential bowl games are a distant third on the checklist of what the bowl folks want to achieve to begin with. That being said, for those that want to point out PSU as ratings gold, the Iowa-PSU game was not ratings gold. Yes, Iowa was involved in that game. But when people have taken Iowa through the years for bowl games, taking them ahead of teams that beat them on the field as recently as 2005 (over Michigan for Outback) and 2008 (over Northwestern for the Outback), TV ratings are not even come up in the debate.