Tranghese: Change inevitable for failed BCS equation

By The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — BCS coordinator Mike Tranghese would like to see the human element play a bigger role in college football's national championship formula.

"I'd like to see us go back to using the human polls," Tranghese told USA Today for a story on its Web site Friday, "but I don't think we can get that done."

Tranghese expects conference commissioners to soon discuss possible changes in the controversial system that selects the two teams that play in the national title game. One change could be giving more weight to The Associated Press poll and the USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll than computer rankings.

The Bowl Championship Series standings are derived from a complicated formula that includes poll results, seven computer rankings and strength of schedule, plus other factors. The top two teams in the final standings meet in the national championship game.

Southern California, ranked No. 1 in both human polls used by the BCS, was left out of the Sugar Bowl, this season's BCS national title game.

The Trojans virtually assured themselves a piece of the national championship Thursday with a 28-14 thumping of No. 4 Michigan in the Rose Bowl because voters almost certainly will leave the Trojans atop The Associated Press poll no matter what happens Sunday night in the Sugar Bowl.

Voters for the USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll are obligated to crown the winner of the BCS championship game between No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Oklahoma.

That would produce a split national championship, just what the BCS was designed to avoid.

"I can tell you the six commissioners do not take any delight or pleasure in having to defend a poll we didn't want to have in the first place," said Tranghese, the Big East commissioner.

"I don't think we have a choice but to take a hard look at this."

Tranghese was slated to discuss the conclusion of his tenure as BCS coordinator at a meeting of the Football Writers Association of America on Sunday. The BCS has two seasons left in its current format.

"It's just not a single issue," Tranghese said. "Every time you add a twist, there's an unintended consequence."

02/23/2007 10:40 AM

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