Hokie Tracks Still Don't Have a Ring

Will someone please think of the "BC-Mess" headlines. The worst acronym is college sports is dead.

One source indicated that the old name couldn't be attached to a playoff that will "eventually" be bigger than the Final Four and second only to the Super Bowl in terms of this nation's sporting events. The term "BCS" simply had too much of a negative connotation. The commissioners couldn't afford for the controversies attached to the "Bowl Championship Series" to accompany major college football's first playoff.

Meanwhile, the upcoming playoff is getting more finalized by the day.

Following Wednesday's four-hour meeting in the Intercontinental Hotel, the BCS commissioners emerged together and announced -- in the "Camelot Room" of all places -- they had "developed a consensus behind a four-team seeded playoff."

That model, multiple sources told CBSSports.com, would be the "best four teams" chosen by a selection committee with the committee putting emphasis on conference champions.

The preference of the commissioners is to play the semifinals around Jan. 1 among the existing BCS bowl sites (Sugar, Rose, Fiesta and Orange) with the championship game played less than two weeks later on the Monday following the NFL wildcard round (around Jan. 9-11). There is already unanimous support to have the championship game bid out to any city or venue in the same fashion as the Super Bowl is awarded.

The incorporation of a selection committee is the "Great Compromise" of this deal.

Sources said the emphasis on conference champions by the selection committee was enough for the Pac-12 and Big Ten, which preferred a two-team, plus-one model, to compromise its position and join the other leagues in supporting a four-team playoff.

It makes sense to me. Having humans involved in the process will eliminate any of the unforeseen shortcomings of a fixed algorithm. The debate now will probably move to specifics surrounding the committee. How many people will be on it, how will be bias be negated, what will the specific criteria for selecting the four teams be, what information will the selectors have at their disposal for making their decision, etc...

The Duel in the District (seriously?). Tickets for the Cincinnati game have gone on sale from $65-$149, including club seats and lower level seats.

Student Athletes. The NCAA released APR scores from the 2007-11 academic years and the Hokies scored very well.

Erick Green is practicing with NBA players this offseason. Green kicked it (picked it) with Chris Paul earlier this month, and he's in Chicago this week working out at Deron Williams’ Skills Academy.

Chip Brown's sources. Orangebloods.com is reporting Notre Dame's olympic sports are likely headed to Big 12.

As part of such a move, Notre Dame, which has a contract with NBC to televise its home football games through the 2015 season, would agree to play up to six football games against Big 12 competition (but most likely three or so to start with), sources tell Orangebloods.com.

Notre Dame would maintain its independence in football ... for now. If the Irish ever felt compelled to join a conference in football, the Big 12 would be ready and waiting for them. The trusted relationship between Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick can not be underestimated if such a move transpires.

Almost immediately Jack Swarbrick denied the report.

"I saw that and I thought (Bob) Bowlsby and I should hold hands up there," Swarbrick joked, alluding to the incoming Big 12 commissioner. "I have no idea what prompted that. It is not based on any discussion, any meeting we have done."

Although it's evident he's thinking about Notre Dame first, and the Big East second. (As it should be.)

"I've said all along that there were three important factors for us," Swarbrick said. "One was the resolution of postseason football, which we are closer to. One is a resolution of our media relationship, which we are in the homestretch of.

"The third is related to the stability of the Big East, which we get more information on every day. In that sense, pieces of that are starting to fall into place, and that will put us in a time and place where we probably take a look at it and decide what we're doing."

Notre Dame will continue to hold on for independence as long as possible, but I believe conference expansions (contraction) will eventually force them to join a league. Bringing in the Irish is one of the few power plays left on the table for the ACC. John Swofford has made it clear he only wants them as fulltime members. If the Big 12 allows Notre Dame to preserve their football independence it might be a more appealing destination.

Rivals.com ranks running back Derrick Green as the top recruit in Virginia for 2013. Tech, Virginia, and the rest of the country (32 offers!) are recruiting him hard.

"Me and (running backs) coach (Shane) Beamer talk on the phone all the time," Green said. "He writes me a lot of letters. I keep in contact with him."

He's not revealing his favorites, and it doesn't sound like he's making a decision anytime soon.

"It doesn't matter," said Green regarding his potential to stay in-state for college or head elsewhere. "I'm just going to the best school that fits me — where I have the best relationship with the coaching staff and where I can get the best education. Right now, it doesn't matter where that school is.

"I don't have a top 10 right now. Everybody is still on the same playing field. I'm just in the process right now of visiting schools and seeing what the schools have to offer."

However, in an interview with Tremendous Green stated, "I'll definitely be taking an official to Michigan. No question." So, I'll assume that's one school in his top five. Tech's in the thick of it to land him too.

No top 10 from Derrick Green today, but I feel good about #OhioState, #PennState, #Clemson, #Michigan and #VirginiaTech— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) June 22, 2012