BCS releases automatic bid formula

[Jihme]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Bowl Championship Series has released its formula for determining how conferences, such as the Mountain West, can earn an BCS automatic bid.

The BCS uses three criteria that measure conference strength over a four-year period. The criteria are: the ranking of the highest-ranked team in the final BCS standings; the final regular-season computer rankings of all the teams in a conference; and the number of teams in the top 25 of the final BCS standings.

Six conferences -- the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC and Pac-10 -- have automatic bids that are contractually bound through the 2013 season.

Another league could earn an automatic bid if it meets certain thresholds using those criteria.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5126561

[SRQ]

So what are the current standings of all conferences?

[smazza]

sounds like bs

[tampabull]

big east keeps it through 2013 contractually.  ND could lose their bcs bid if they keep finishing out of the top 25.  it's not likely because everyone is in love with nd. 

[BullsFanInTX]

I wonder if the # of teams in top 25 is adjusted for conference size.  It wouldn't be fare to compare an 8 team conf to a 12 team conf in terms of # of top 25 teams.  The 12 team conf has 4 more chances to have top 25 teams.

[The Great 8]

I wonder if the # of teams in top 25 is adjusted for conference size.  It wouldn't be fare to compare an 8 team conf to a 12 team conf in terms of # of top 25 teams.  The 12 team conf has 4 more chances to have top 25 teams.

Agreed, it really ought to be ratio based.

At that point though, you realize it's easier to just have a few good teams than it is to have a bunch of them. Should the MWC have better odds of AQ if they trim the fat of some bad teams?