Watch What You Wish For...

Right now, everyone is whining and crying about the status of their favorite team in the BCS standings. A lot of what we are hearing comes from fans of smaller programs... the so-called Cinderella schools. They all demand that their team be placed in the national spotlight. To them I say: Watch what you wish for.

The loudest noise comes from...once again.. Hawaii. Their supporters point to the perfect record thus far, and claim that Hawaii should play in the National Championship game. They have certainly dominated their conference in every statistical category imaginable. But the fact of the matter is that the team is still untested. Their toughest competition this season was against last year's Cinderella story, Boise St. But the fact of the matter is that Boise St. got LUCKY last season in their win over Oklahoma. Their success last season certainly did not translate into a stronger program this season.

The BCS cannot and will not place this Hawaii team in the National Championship picture. To do so would invalidate the entire BCS concept of 'strength of schedule.' While Hawaii cannot help the fact that the rest of their conference is weak, they could help their cause a bit by playing tougher non-conference games. Instead, they continue to roll with a soft schedule all season long.

I understand that its difficult to find quality programs willing to take the long trip to the islands for a game during the season and school year. But that is not a problem for the BCS to solve. Its up to Hawaii to find a way to get legitimate competition for its non-conference games. Until they do that, they will be limited to consolation bowl games.

Hawaii (11-0) moved up to No. 12 in the BCS standings and will earn an automatic major-bowl berth if it can hold that spot through next weekend. If they win, they probably will end up in the Sugar Bowl against the SEC champion, LSU or Tennessee. Then we will see just how good the TEAM really is. And when its all over, we will see if this team is going to remain a viable contender or if its just the next Boise St, unable to sustain its success over multiple seasons.

Thats the problem with Cinderella. They might get the slipper, but their ride still turns into a pumpkin in the end.