As the annual (and last) BCS meetings convene here, there is talk about the power conferences breaking away from the NCAA and forming their own association. Sixty-five or so schools calling the shots because they can. Sixty-five or so schools calling the shots because they have.
Unintended consequence of the BCS? Whether it actually happens, it already has happened, figuratively. The large majority of national championships and more than 70 percent of the playoff money will flow to the ACC, SEC, Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12. Just like always only bigger money, more power. Issues that will formally guide college football toward what many think it already is -- a semi-pro feeder system for the NFL.
Perhaps it’s time to drop the pretense, quit funding volleyball and prepare young men for their chosen profession -- of football, basketball or whatever. Despite what Bob Stoops says, we’re headed toward at least paying athletes something, aren’t we? The O’Bannon lawsuit looms. Bodies are being sacrificed at the altar of bowl eligibility, and concussions -- for the threat of lawsuits stemming from them -- aren’t going away anytime soon.