Notebook: BCS no longer as sweet a deal for Irish
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In some people's eyes, Notre Dame's new BCS status might be matching its football status.
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| Former Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana visits with current QB Brady Quinn at the Blue-Gold Game. (AP) |
Beginning in 2006, the maximum Notre Dame can earn from a BCS appearance is $4.5 million. That's the same amount currently earned by second teams from conferences in BCS bowls.
BCS coordinator Kevin Weiberg made the announcement as the annual BCS meetings wrapped up on Wednesday.
The $4.5 million represents a decrease of approximately $10 million per appearance Notre Dame earned under the old BCS agreement that expires after the 2005 season. The school essentially traded an all-or-nothing shot at a $14 million pot of gold for guaranteed income each year.
In years that Notre Dame does not play in a BCS game, it will earn approximately $1 million, essentially equal to a minimum share received by each BCS conference school.
That means beginning in 2006, Notre Dame could play in a BCS bowl once every 10 years and not make as much money it did in 2001 for its one Fiesta Bowl appearance under the current parameters ($14 million vs. $13.5 million). That 2001 Fiesta Bowl remains Notre Dame's only BCS game in the seven years the system has been used.
Also, the standards for the Irish to qualify for a BCS game will be slightly different.
Going forward, Notre Dame will have to finish in the top eight of the BCS standings to get an automatic berth. It can still be considered for a BCS bowl if it finishes ninth through 12th.
Under current standards, Notre Dame must finish in the top six to get an automatic berth. If a non-BCS school qualifies in the top six (in 2004, it was Utah), Notre Dame has to finish in the top 10 or win at least nine games.
Beginning in 2006, those non-BCS schools have to finish only in the top 12 or higher than the lowest-ranked BCS conference champion (if that champion is ranked higher than No. 17).
The changes seem to be a net loss for Notre Dame, but given its recent football fortunes, it doesn't have much leverage.
"They've accepted that, it's something we agreed to," Weiberg said.
