Here’s a nice, short summary of the history — drama, really — of the BCS and its short-lived predecessors the Bowl Coalition and Bowl Alliance, and how it’s changed the landscape of college football over the past 20 years (AL.com):
The Bowl Championship Series, age 16, dies Dec. 8.
It was born in the SEC offices of Birmingham, Ala., as a tool to consolidate power and wealth and create more interest in college football’s regular season and postseason. The BCS was preceded in death by its brothers, the Bowl Coalition and Bowl Alliance.
When the final BCS standings are released Sunday, excitement, frustration, confusion and money will be at the BCS’ bedside upon death. Survivors include the College Football Playoff. In lieu of flowers, enjoy more high-stakes games and different controversies in 2014.
