Sometimes When You Win, You Actually Lose

Let me start by applauding the BCS selectors and bowls for getting the 10 most deserving teams into the five big BCS games. Given how the end of the season played out, giving the at-large berths to TCU, Florida, Boise St., and Iowa was absolutely the right call.

Now: as you all know, I've been a big proponent of Boise State this season. I think they're one of the best teams in the country, and that they rightfully earned their place in the Fiesta Bowl - even though, under the BCS' weighted rules, the Broncos had no guarantee of a berth.

But the matchup against TCU is a hollow victory. The main thrust of my advocacy was that Boise State and TCU deserve a chance to prove that they can run with the big boys. They're missing that chance now. The Fiesta Bowl might end up being an incredible football game between two outstanding teams - but it has no long-term value for either side because what they really need, and deserve, is a chance to show what they can do against the bigger names.

I suspect that the Fiesta Bowl's organizers decided that TCU and BSU fans would travel, thereby making this matchup a financial success. But it is a curious decision, especially given that the Fiesta Bowl had the 2nd and 4th picks of the 5 slots - and in any event, even if the Fiesta Bowl wins, the Horned Frogs and Broncos will inevitably both lose.