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AggieJohn
05-27-2005, 12:43 AM
Finding substitute for AP poll seen as 'work in progress'
By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Bowl Championship Series coordinator Kevin Weiberg said Wednesday that progress is being made on a restructured system to determine which teams play in college football's national championship game.

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But the clock is ticking.

"We need to wrap something up at the latest by July 15," Weiberg said as he prepared to conclude the Big 12 Conference spring meetings today.

Weiberg, who also serves as Big 12 commissioner, did not divulge specifics being discussed as a replacement for the Associated Press poll, which was withdrawn in December.

Previously, the AP poll and coaches' poll each counted for one-third of a team's points in the BCS standings. A compilation of computer rankings made up for the final one-third.

Forming a voting panel consisting of former college football administrators, coaches — and possibly even some players — into the process is being discussed, Weiberg said.

"Right now, our first priority is to have a replacement for the AP poll," he said. "It's a work in progress."

The 2004 season ended in controversy when Southern California, Oklahoma and Auburn all went unbeaten in the regular season.

Auburn was left out of the Sugar Bowl despite having the same 12-0 record as USC and Oklahoma. The other BCS controversy involved Texas passing California for the last at-large bid in the final standings.

Other topics at the meetings:

• Replay almost set — Final details for next season's instant-replay system in football were resolved Wednesday, and all that remains is a vote among the league's athletic directors.
The only tweak in the Big Ten model that will be used involves adding an on-field monitor so that the referee can give input to the official making the decision in the press box.

"Getting the referee into the communication loop is important," Weiberg said.

Under the Big Ten system introduced last season, all reviews came from the booth. Calls could be overturned only if there was "indisputable video evidence." Coaches are not allowed challenges like in the NFL.

"It's my sense that coaches and officials all want to get it right," Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione said.

• Noon start for league title game — The Big 12 championship game Dec. 3 at Reliant Stadium will kick off at noon instead of in prime time.
ABC wants to put the inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference title game, set for the same day, in the prime-time slot.

"We can't really argue with that," Weiberg said.

The 2006 Big 12 title game will be held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. San Antonio, St. Louis, Dallas and Denver have expressed interest in hosting future games.