Note: Before you blame the Bowl Championship Series fiasco on money and computers, allow Literotica.com to offer a more likely explanation. Names have been changed to protect the guilty parties, despite the fact they deserve to be hung by the balls.
BCS Chairman Frank Mongoose pushed the intercom button on his desk phone.
âYes, Julie.â
âItâs a representative from USC on line one, sir,â the woman said.
The Chairman closed his eyes in pain. It was Friday, December 5th. The following day was the last day of the college football season. On Sunday the final BCS standings would be announced and formal invitations to college bowl games would be extended, including the Sugar Bowlâthis yearâs national championship game.
Frank knew the possibility existed that one teamâŚprobably USCâŚcould be excluded from the big game even though they would be ranked higher in the coaches and media polls. The worst-case scenario would be wins by USC and LSU and a loss by Oklahoma.
Was it possible? Yes. Likely? No.
âOK,â Frank said. He heard Julie click off the line. Slowly, he lifted the receiver and placed it to his ear. With much trepidation, he pressed the flashing light for line one.
âHello, Frank here.â
âHello, Mr. Chairman. This is Joe Branixston from the University of Southern California. I represent the alumni association of USC. How are you today?â
The Chairman leaned back in his chair. âFine, Joe. What can I do for you?â
âFrank, Iâm not going to beat around the bush here,â Joe said. âWe all know the scenarios for this weekend.â
Frank looked out the window, dreading where this conversation was going to take him. He would give the man a couple minutes to speak his peace and then he would find a way to gracefully end the ordeal.
Joe continued, âYouâre likely to have three teams deserving of the national championship game and only two can go. We at USC feel we are the most likely to get screwed here. Excuse the French.â
The Chairman wasnât smiling.
âAnyway,â Joe was saying, âIâm in town today and I brought a friend with me and I wondered when we could meet with you to discuss an alternative solution.â
âAn alternative solution?â Frank asked, intrigued by the manâs choice of words.
âSure. A way to show you how important USC thinks it would be to play in the Sugar Bowl this year.â
Frank decided to play devilâs advocate for a second. âBut, Joe, the Rose Bowl is in your backyard, close to your fan base. And Michigan would be a great win for you.â
âSir, we know that,â Joe said sincerely. âBut we want the big prize. And weâre willing to show you how much we want it.â
Obviously, the man wanted the Chairman to bite on the offer. Frank knew he wasnât going to blow the guy off without hearing him out. It might cost him a meeting, but at least that would be the end of it.
âWhatâs the offer?â Frank asked succinctly.
âLetâs meet in your office and discuss it,â Joe replied.
âWhen?â
âWhenever you want,â Joe chimed in quickly. âWe can be there any time.â
âWhoâs with you?â the Chairman asked.
âA special guest. I think youâll be glad you did this, Frank,â the voice on the other end said.
In his tenure as BCS Chairman, Frank had received just about every bribe imaginable. He had politely refused each one, being able to sleep at night despite knowing the system was flawed and eventually doomed.
âHow about one oâclock?â Frank asked. âAnd donât waste my time. I canât be bought.â
Joeâs sounded truly hurt. âFrank. I canât believe youâd suggest such a thing. We at USC have concerns. We just want to be heard.â
âFine. See you at one.â
The Chairman hung up. He was too nice a guy, he thought to himself. This jerk didnât deserve his attention, but his curiosity was somewhat piqued. Half an hour. Thatâs all heâd give himâŚand his mystery guest.
Promptly at one oâclock, Julie rang her boss and informed him that the representatives from USC were there. Frank asked her to show them in.
A few seconds later, there was a knock on his office door. Frank was beginning to rise from his chair as Julie held the door open for the two visitors.
A middle-aged, slightly overweight, balding gentleman smiled as he walked in, then stepped aside. Directly behind him came a tan and white image straight from heaven.
Frank stared at the tall, blonde cheerleader in her long-sleeved turtleneck USC sweater and short skirt with crimson and gold stripes at the bottom. She and Joe stood side-by-side, smiling broadly at the surprised Chairman.