Associated Press says it doesn’t want Bowl Championship Series to use its poll. The scandal was picked up by online betting operator that offered odds on back of college football scandal
BCS rankings face AP resistance
Associated Press wants the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) to stop selecting teams to play for the NCAA title and other prestigious bowl games using its U.S. college football poll. The well-known information agency said such use was never sanctioned and this approach may undermine the independence and integrity of the poll.
However, the survey prepared by AP has become an important part of BCS rankings since the system was implemented by officials from the Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, Atlantic Coast Conference, Pac-10, Southeastern Conference and Notre Dame in 1998. The AP poll of 65 writers and broadcasters is one of three components for BCS to establish its results.
AP sent BCS co-ordinator Kevin Weiberg a letter, stating use of the poll is unlawful and harms the news agency's reputation.
"We respect the decision of AP to no longer have its poll included in the BCS standings," Weiberg said. "Since the inception of the BCS, the AP poll has been part of our standings. We appreciate the co-operation we have received from the organization in providing rankings on a weekly basis. We will discuss alternatives to AP poll at the upcoming BCS meetings and plan to conclude our evaluation of the BCS standings formula, including any other possible changes, by our April meeting."
According to Canoe.ca, this season, the AP poll and USA Today/ESPN coaches poll were given more weight than ever in the BCS standings. Each poll accounted for one-third of a team's BCS grade and total points were factored in, not just ranking, which was the case before. A compilation of six computer rankings made up the final third of team's BCS grade.
At the same time, online betting operator Wagerweb.com is offering odds on whether the controversy will force major change before next years NCAA season. The bookie focused on the system that shut out three undefeated teams from the Fedex Orange Bowl Title.
According to Onlinecasinonews.com, last year it was USC, which was ranked number one in both polls, but was shut out of the national title game due to their BCS ranking of 3rd. This season it was Auburn who went though their season and a grueling SEC schedule undefeated, but was left out of the Orange Bowl and the national title game due to their BCS ranking of 3rd, which was only hundredths of percentage points less than Oklahoma's. Similar things happened to two other teams.
