Those who earn their living off college football have to be pleased with the appearance of Alabama and LSU in Monday night’s Bowl Championship Subdivision title game.
The game offers evidence that NCAA probation is a gentle slap on the wrist, which allows you to get back in the national title hunt quickly.
But didn’t we already know this?
This is a gridiron remake of Al Capone vs. Bugs Moran starring Nick Saban and Les Miles under the watchful eye of Elliot Ness played by NCAA President Mark Emmert.
LSU, Alabama and Auburn, last year’s BCS title champ, have one thing in common. Despite getting “punished” by the NCAA for rules violations, they’ve remained among the elite football programs in the country.
Since 1989, Alabama has been on probation eight years, including 2009 to 2011, and banned from bowls a total of three years.
Since 1953, Auburn has been on probation 19 percent of the time (11 years) only less than USC and “death penalty” victim SMU. Alabama has been on probation 15.5 percent (nine years) to help the Southeastern Conference maintain its lofty status.
Schools from the SEC have been placed on probation the most times (27) and have spent the most seasons (combined) under probation (61). The next closest is the Big Ten (44 seasons).
It shows how serious they take their football in the SEC. LSU is the latest FBS football program to be hit with NCAA probation, which in the Tigers’ case was like getting slapped by a fly swatter on your pinky.
LSU received one year of probation and a public reprimand (ouch!) for, among other things, providing improper lodging and transportation and then obstructing the subsequent investigation. The NCAA report said a prospective athlete was provided lodging by a female connected with the school.
See, not everyone takes money!
To some, getting placed on probation is akin to receiving a badge of honor. It means you have the courage to do what it takes to succeed.
“As long as you have a prohibition, you’re going to have bootleggers,” John Luchs, former NCAA rule-violating sports agent, said to a California Senate hearing on college sports.
Former NBA great Charles Barkley admitted he took money when he was at Auburn and says the onus is on the rule makers.
“These agents are well known. They’ve been giving college kids money for 30 years, and I’ve got no problem with it. How in the world can they call it amateur if they pay $11 million to broadcast the NCAA Tournament,” Barkley said.
The problem with the NCCA is that it punishes players who in most cases weren’t even in their teens when the violations occurred.
“If you rob a bank and they arrest the next guy who walks in after you, who wouldn’t do that?” said Mike Romo, an SMU player who arguably suffered unnecessary injuries after the program was given the death penalty.
Bowling for dollars
There is a lot of be thankful for as we break in the new year. At the top of the list is that the “Bowling for Dollars Season” will soon be over.
Bowl directors and those athletic directors and coaches who received bonuses for their teams making appearances in these games enjoyed the experience. While they were counting their money, the rest of us were counting all the empty seats to keep from getting bored.
The Outback Bowl had the third-smallest crowd in its 26 years to continue a downward slide, and numerous other bowls had to deal with dwindling attendance. There are many reasons for this malady, including fans’ frustration with the current BCS system.
But don’t feel sorry for the people who run the Outback Bowl. They make a lot of money. It’s the participating schools who are strapped for cash and have to buy tickets for their band members that deserve our sympathy.
Alan Dell, Herald sports writer, can be reached at 941-745-2112.
