Are You Not Entertained?!

Oklahoma State players Jamie Blatnick (50) and Justin
Gilbert (4) celebrate after Stanford's Jordan Williamson (36)
misses a field goal during the Fiesta Bowl. The Stanford-
Oklahoma State game proved the need for at least a plus-1
game, if not an eight-team playoff.

It's been said for years, but the time has come for the NCAA to own up to its biggest mistake — the B(C)S.

While named the Bowl Championship Series, the only series of events that takes place is the Big East team taking on an at-large team in the Nobody Cares Bowl. Sadly, the Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Rose Bowl used to be games that everybody watched – until the NCAA decided to step in.

But now the NCAA has the chance to rectify the situation — or at least add some excitement.

This bowl season has been incredible. From Ohio edging Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to Michigan State's win in triple overtime over Georgia, it has been fun to watch. Even the Stanford-Oklahoma State Fiesta Bowl had me on the edge of my seat the entire game.

And as a fan I want more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating a complete playoff system. I like the bowls. I know the athletes like going to Arizona, Texas, Florida and California for a week of fun in the sun. But wouldn't it be great if we could have a real Bowl Championship Series (or Bowl Championship Playoffs)?

Take the top eight teams — no matter what conference — and have them square off. If you're in a lousy conference like the Big East or Mountain West, get rid of the cupcakes and schedule some real teams if you want to a spot in the BCP. If you can survive the SEC or Big 12 and remain in the top eight, then you deserve your shot at the nation's best teams.

We saw what happened when Oregon's speed met Wisconsin's strength. We'll see some more of that in the next few days. Why not try to produce even more of that with a mini playoff?

True, the playoff would add three more games and possibly two more weeks to the schedule, but in his last press conference in Stillwater, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said there was already too much of a lag between the regular season and those late postseason bowls. Why not take a couple weeks out and give the fans what they want, a playoff?

The NCAA is a business, no matter how they try to spin it. And like most good businesses, the goal is to make money. Hosting three extra games would cost a little more, but with television rights and fans packing the stadiums, it seems like a money tree that's ripe for the picking.

If nothing else, even adding a plus-1 playoff game would be enough to quench the thirst of those fans who crave more football before delving into their brackets for March Madness. Plus it would also force Nike co-founder Phil Knight to come up with something even more ridiculous than the "Darth Vader" helmets used in this year's Rose Bowl.

Taking One For The Team

Jim Tressel took full responsibility for the actions of his
team, resigning as Ohio State football coach. We can only
hope his players learned something about integrity while
the Vest fell on the sword for them.

I hate to be the one who said I told you so, but...

A couple months ago on this very same blog, I railed on Jim Tressel for his involvement in what has become a spring-long scandal in the Ohio State Football program. A once proud program has become tarnished with tattoos and cheap cars.

Earlier this week, Tressel announce his resignation as the Buckeyes' football coach. In doing so, the Vest may have become the sacrificial lamb for the entire university – including Gordon Gee, who was once famously quoted as saying "I hope Tressel doesn't fire me," in regards to the current scandal.

Back in March, I had previously said I lost a lot of respect for the Vest. He admittedly knew what his players were doing and chose to do nothing about it.

Mr. Tressel, you have earned my respect back.

While your players are obviously to blame for the whole situation going from bad to worse, you chose to accept full responsibility for their actions. Whether you truly knew everything they were doing or not, you chose to face the media and the hundreds of questions that were about to arise like a man. You didn't cower from the spotlight, but embraced the scandal for what it was – an opportunity to teach some young men between right and wrong, all the while knowing you weren't going to be on the sidelines of the Horseshoe next season.

Across the country, another football power in Southern Cal is also steeped in scandal. But look at how differently the two schools handled their misdeeds.

Southern Cal did it's best to brush everything under the rug, hoping nobody would notice. Meanwhile, Ohio State came out to the NCAA and said they screwed up – of course this was after the federal government got involved – but at least they admitted to their faults.

It's no secret that college athletes live pretty pampered lives – football and basketball players are the most pampered of the bunch. Even when I was in college, I still remember current Atlanta Falcon and former Missouri safety William Moore driving around campus in his black and gold Pontiac Bonneville, complete with tinted windows, a killer sound system and dazzling 22-inch rims.

Now, you're going to tell me some kid from Hayti, Missouri – an area stricken with poverty since the 1960s Civil Rights Movement – can afford a car that nice. If you believe that some booster wasn't helping make sure Moore looked as sharp off the field as he did on, well, let's just say I've got a couple of guys in Ohio who would love to sell you some new cars.

This Vest Isn't Bulletproof

Jim Tressel has a lot to hang his head
about at Ohio State these days. Tressel
will not be on the sidelines for the first
two games as the Buckeyes begin their
2011 season.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has always been one of the classiest guys on or off the football field. His sweater vest and tie are as iconic as Bear Bryant's checkered fedora or Steve Spurrier's visor.

But when the 2011 season rolls around the Vest will not be on the sidelines against in-state rivals Akron and Toledo – along with five players.

While the players are at fault for selling merchandise for free tattoos, Tressel's failure to comply with the NCAA cost him $250,000 and the first two games of what looks to be a promising 2011 campaign. In April, he was warned about two players involved in a drug-trafficking scheme through an e-mail, only to brush it off like a one-star recruit.

It isn't that Ohio State will necessarily need the Vest on the sidelines. The practice squad will probably still hang 60 points on the lowly Zips and Rockets, but it's the Vest's principles that are at risk here.

For years, Tressel was regarded as one of the good guys. He did everything by the book. When he beat Miami to win his first national championship in 2002, there was hope that a college football team could win without making an appearance in the local court. Of course, that was with Maurice Clarett – who has now spent more time behind bars than in the classroom.

But you can't fault the Vest for one bad apple emerging after Clarett ended his career in Columbus. Even during the Terrelle Pryor recruiting saga, Tressel did nothing out of the ordinary to steal Pryor from Pennsylvania. He simply told Pryor exactly what he wanted to hear, and that got the prized recruits attention.

When the five players were suspended for the free ink, a small portion of that fell back on the Vest. Most of it dealt with Tressel not being able to control his players 24/7. But when the news broke about Tressel's failure to comply with the NCAA, questions start to arise.

What was he doing that was so important that he couldn't talk to his players? He has the typical professor look, why not do what every college professor would have done and approached the players about the issue? Ohio has a lot of great golf courses in the spring and summer, but he could have at least left the clubs in his office for one day while trying to avoid NCAA sanctions.

The reason the Vest didn't act is fairly simple – he didn't think he would get caught.

Most major powerhouses believe that if you're not cheating, your not trying. And apparently Ohio State is no exception.

With the suspension, a dark cloud has suddenly started to form over the Horseshoe in Columbus. Those sunny skies and days of doing things with class are over. Tressel just better hope the NCAA doesn't find out about any more violations or the Vest may be looking for a new wardrobe.