AAC Commissioner: BCS was fairer system than what we have now

quote:

---

American Athletic Conference commissioner Michael Aresco strongly criticized the College Football Playoff selection committee for dropping undefeated Cincinnati another spot in its rankings -- behind three two-loss teams.

"I never thought I'd say it, but if this continues, bring back the BCS and the computers because it would be a fairer system than what I'm seeing now," Aresco said. "This is the seventh year [of the CFP], and it does appear the deck is stacked against us and against other [Group of 5 teams]."

"[The Bearcats] have only missed two games," Aresco said. "They played eight, and Ohio State has played five. [The Buckeyes] missed three of their eight, and it's been essentially a glorified exhibition season and not against strong competition, and they don't drop. I guess I could channel George Orwell [in] 'Animal Farm' -- 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.'

"You basically played actually less than half a season, and yet there's no penalty there, no scrutiny there. It's as though everything is fine. But with us, you miss a few weeks with COVID, and you start dropping."

Aresco also criticized the Cyclones' being ranked ahead of Cincinnati after beating then-No. 17 Texas and unranked West Virginia in their previous two games.

"Texas, which has a great brand and name, but if they weren't Texas, would they be in the Top 25?" Aresco said. "They have three losses and almost had a fourth against Texas Tech but not for an onside kick. That's considered a win that vaults a two-loss team over an undefeated Cincinnati team, which by any measure of the eye test is an elite team with NFL players all over the place. ... They played a sort of depleted West Virginia team at home, and that's another win that supposedly vaults a team over."

---