BCS might simply move on as is -- without AP

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Here's a novel idea: How about dumbing down the BCS?

Kevin Weiberg says credibility is important to any new selection system.

Administrators gathered here for the annual BCS meetings have discussed the idea of essentially leaving the much-tweaked formula as is. After the Associated Press pulled out in January, the BCS was left with just the coaches poll and six computers.

So, it was inevitably asked here in a conference room at the Royal Palms Resort, why not leave the dang thing alone?

"It's possible," BCS coordinator Kevin Weiberg said. "It's not an option we've taken off the table."

The commissioners listened to presentations by the National Football Foundation and National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics on Monday. Both entities are seeking to organize and administrate a new poll to replace the AP's.

But it's becoming clear it's a monumental task, especially if, as Weiberg says, everything must be in place by July 15. First, approximately 40-60 voters would have to be found who were willing to disclose their ballot each week. That could be a challenge in itself. Some AP voters were harassed by fans last season.

The American Football Coaches Association, which has never publicly released its ballots, is reluctant to take even the tiny step of releasing ballots after the completion of the bowls.

"Ya'll will have a field day with that," AFCA executive director Grant Teaff told reporters. "Coaches will be duckin' and divin' (if their ballots were released). I'll be going on vacation right about then. The situation basically called for it because of what happened last year."

That's when the BCS endured its most intense scrutiny. Undefeated Auburn couldn't get into the BCS title game. Meanwhile, voters basically decided on the last day of the season that Texas would edge out Cal for a BCS berth.

Teaff seemed to indicate that if another human poll is established, the coaches would consider releasing their final ballot. But don't hold your breath on the coaches ever releasing ballots during the regular season; if that were a requirement, they'd be gone.

"They'd see the biggest ol' mythical national championship you ever laid eyes on," Teaff said.

Tough talk from the voice of the coaches whose poll still isn't officially in the BCS going forward. The BCS commissioners would prefer more transparency among the 62 voting coaches. But it's not clear what leverage the BCS has if the AFCA decides to keep its ballots secret.

The coaches want to keep their poll as part of the process, and the BCS would really be in a lurch of the coaches pulled out.