Notre Dame is guaranteed one of the at-large slots in a BCS bowl if it is ranked No. 8 or better in the final BCS Standings and it is also guaranteed a payment of $4.5M for its participation in a BCS bowl game. If Notre Dame does not play in a BCS game, it still gets paid $1.3 million.

WHY? This sounds very unfair to me

(this comes directly from the BCS website where it expains the new format with a 5th game.)

As far as being guaranteed an at-large bid if they finish in the top 8, I don't see how that is unfair. The BCS rules last year stipulated that any team which finished in the top 6 garnered an automatic bid, so with the addition of an extra bowl game, the top 8 rule makes sense. Remember, Notre Dame still has to finish in the top 8, and if they do, they should certainly be rewarded with a BCS bid. While they are an Independent, they consistently play one of the toughest schedules in the country. If both finished 12-0 this year, who would you think was better given their level of competition, West Virginia or Notre Dame?

As far as the money, I could see how that could be viewed as a little 'unfair', but it has two causes. One, as an Independent, Notre Dame does not have to share any bowl money with fellow conference members. On the other hand, if they don't make a BCS bowl, they don't get anything. When a Big East team gets a BCS payout, every Big East team gets a share, even Syracuse and Cincy. To me, this is more unfair as these teams have done nothing to deserve a share of the BCS pie. However, that's the system, and the current rule is in place so that Notre Dame (one of the best schools in the country, as well as one of the most historic football programs) still receives bowl money. Two, it's all about the economics of supply and demand. Notre Dame is arguably the most popular team in the country, and people want to see them play. Love 'em or hate 'em, everybody's got an opinion on Notre Dame.

Because people are haters of the best.

Couldn't tell you, but living in South Bend, the hype has already started. They better win a National Title or my city will be in a riot.

Because they're Notre Dame, dammit!

It is unfair. It is because Notre Dame is not part of a competitive conference, but it's really because it would bring in tons of revenue for the BCS and TV b/c of their traditional popularity, so they want to do everything they can to get them in.

The BCS and TV just love to bite Notre Dame's butt.

I have no idea, but it is the most crap that I've ever heard!!! I'd like 2 know when this started b/c check this out!
2005: 9-3; 2004: 7-6; 2003: 5-7 (no bowl game); 2002: 10-3; 2001: 5-6; 2000: 9-3; 1999: 5-7 (no bowl game); 1998: 9-3; 1997: 7-6; 1996: 8-3
They haven't been ranked any better 9th (that was last year) 1993!!! That is horrible!
What have they done in the past 10 years that warrants them a "special" consideration to get them in the BCS? That's y I hope Notre Dame doesn't get in the BCS. It's total CRAP!!!

On a pure competive level it is absolutely unfair. But its all about the money. A lot of people like the Irish and they usually draw alot of viewers from all over the country. Not only that other teams in the BSC games split there revenue with their conference. Notre Dame needs to join a conference and duke it out like everyone else.

ND traditionally schedules some of the best teams in the nation, has a huge following and one of the best traditions. Why would ND join a conference? They don't have to split the bowl money, they can continue to bring in big teams like USC, Ohio State and Miami of FL. If someone wants to do something about it beat ND and keep them out of the bowls and the top 8 rankings.

Because this year Nortre Dame has a legitimate shot at being number 1. Because it can't win a conference that will guarantee a BCS slot this is the best that can happen. BTW I'm not an Irish fan... just a realist.

Stop crying. It was all about what teams will bring a bigger audience what will sell

BCS...that's the reason why I don't watch college football anymore.