Published: November 02, 2009 10:44 pm      

BEAS: Looking to crash BCS party

Bearcats are the outsiders most likely to force their way in

Now that we’ve officially landed feet-first into chilly November, the Bowl Championship Series debate, the same tired conversational retread that forces college football fans to shake their heads and others their fists, soon will rage. And all the talk, all the heat, all the anger is going to accomplish … nothing.

Chances are good it’s going to be Texas vs. the SEC champion (Florida or Alabama) for all the marbles the night of Jan. 7 in the Rose Bowl, but not if Cincinnati, Boise State and TCU get their way. All three remain undefeated, which means at the moment they are entitled to either stand atop the soapbox as one or do so individually.

OK, Bearcats, Broncos and Horned Frogs, in 100 words or less, tell us why you, the little guy, deserve 50-percent of the massive Pasadena platform?

Not so fast, Boise State. Have you taken a close look at your schedule? It’s as imposing as Jared from Subway in a leather biker jacket. Well, almost. Props for knocking off Oregon in the opener, but that was at home on your hideous blue astro-smurf. Since then you’ve defeated seven programs that together sport an 20-36 mark.

Lined up as victims No. 9 and 10, respectively, are Louisiana Tech, best known as Karl Malone’s alma mater (he didn’t even play football) and Idaho, home to one of the solar system’s worst football defenses, yielding 70 points to Nevada, a team that birthed a goose-egg at Notre Dame.

Save your breath, Boise State. The BCS computer doesn’t like you.

Don’t feel bad. It’s not wild about TCU, either. At least it shouldn’t be. The Horned Frogs, ranked sixth nationally, deserve a pat on the back for early-season triumphs at Virginia and Clemson and a recent thrashing of BYU in Provo, but it’s not worthy of Pasadena. You did produce LaDainian Tomlinson, though, so things could be worse.

If Cinderella is going to crash this party, she’ll be attired in red and black. A 12-0 Cincinnati Bearcats team is worth consideration seeing they would have beaten Oregon State, South Florida and Pittsburgh on the road and Fresno State, Louisville, Connecticut, West Virginia and Illinois inside UC’s 35,000-seat Nippert Stadium.

Hitting home runs means incorporating some heavy lumber. In the eyes of the BCS, Cincinnati swings a mean bat schedule-wise, while Boise State and TCU don’t. But we’ve got to get the Bearcats to 12-0 first, and that won’t be easy. Then and only then will they have a legitimate argument.

PARTING SHOT

On the night of Nov. 13, Purdue opens its much-anticipated men’s basketball season in Mackey Arena against Cal-State Northridge, an NCAA Tournament qualifier last March returning three of its top four point producers in an 11-point opening-round loss to Memphis.

An hour after the ball goes up in West Lafayette, Indiana begins season No. 2 of the Tom Crean Era against Howard. No word as to whether that’s Desmond Howard, Howard Hesseman, Dwight Howard or Ryan Howard. Actually, it’s Howard University, which posted an 8-23 record last winter, an indication that the aforementioned Howards might be able to provide IU better competition.

As a Sweet 16 program bringing back its top six scorers and ranked seventh nationally, Purdue is able to roll the dice somewhat with its schedule. Indiana, meanwhile, is not. At least not yet.

Two years from now, the Hoosiers won’t be coasting through their non-Big Conference slate against the likes of USC Upstate (who?), Northwestern State, North Carolina Central and Bryant (again … who?). For now, IU needs victories and the confidence and team cohesiveness they help build.

Feasting on cupcakes is an important first step in making Indiana one of college basketball’s fat cats again.

• Mike Beas is a freelance writer/columnist and Kokomo native who resides in Carmel. He may be reached at mbeas@att.net.