Hancock discusses state of the BCS

By Andrew Singer

Reporters bicker with Bill Hancock regularly. Then again, disagreements tend to follow the man in charge of one of the most controversial organizations in college sports.

The executive director of college football’s Bowl Championship Series was on hand to field questions at MAC Media Day 2010. Among other topics, Hancock addressed the negative stigma attached to being a non-BCS school.

“First off, I really don’t like the term “non-BCS.” It’s like nails on a chalkboard to me,” Hancock said. “All of our schools participate on every level of the BCS. From the presidents to the athletic directors to the coaches, we get input from everyone.”

Hancock also responded to the claim that it is next to impossible for a MAC team to be invited to a BCS Bowl game.

“It’s difficult, but look at a school like Boise State,” Hancock said. “One could make the case that the BCS is the best thing to ever happen to them. They came out of nowhere to become a power in college football.”

Even with the success of Boise State though, many critics suggest that for every team that flourishes under the current system, there is a squad like the 2008 Ball State Cardinals to point to. The Cardinals were nationally ranked and 12-0 going into the MAC Championship game. After an ensuing loss, they went from potential BCS buster to spurned GMAC bowl participant.

It is with that in mind that many cry for a playoff system to find a true national champion. Hancock and his board of directors find little reason to contemplate a change though.

“When it comes to a playoff, whether you have a 4, 8, or 12 team tournament, someone is going to end up unhappy,” Hancock said. “Each situation would present its own set of problems.”

The fear that a playoff would take away from the regular season also looms large.

“I honestly think that other college sports are jealous of our regular season,” Hancock said. “Every game is so vital for each team, that it creates a phenomenal environment for college football. So, a playoff would just take away from that environment. It would also take away that carrot [BCS National Championship game] at the end of the season that all the teams work for.”

Every four years, the board of directors reconvenes to discuss the state of the BCS and if there is anything to improve upon. Even so, Hancock doesn’t see any changes forthcoming in the near future.

“Within the industry, people are happy,” Hancock said. “93 percent of our coaches prefer the current system to a playoff. Simply put, it would take a great change of heart by a lot of people for a playoff system to be adopted.”