Now that the NCAA has denied Southern California's appeal to reduce sanctions imposed on its football program, Bowl Championship Series officials will consider whether to strip the Trojans of their 2004 title.
NCAA President Mark Emmert told the Justice Department Wednesday that its questions about the lack of a playoff system for college football are best directed to another group _ the Bowl Championship Series.
At the cost of a $1 million fine, the Fiesta Bowl will keep its place in the Bowl Championship Series.
The decision to keep the Fiesta Bowl in the Bowl Championship Series came at a price _ a $1 million donation to the kids of Arizona.
The Fiesta Bowl will be allowed to remain part of the Bowl Championship Series, though it must pay a $1 million fine for apparent illegal campaign contributions and inappropriate spending.
The Bowl Championship Series remains "deeply troubled" by the scandal that has plagued the Fiesta Bowl this spring, though they are impressed by bowl chairman Duane Woods' reform-minded approach.
SWIMIMING
To Bowl Championship Series officials, the Fiesta Bowl appears "dead serious" about reform. And the BCS is "miles away" from considering whether to replace the Arizona game with another bowl.
Nine of the 11 members of an NCAA panel that will help decide the Fiesta Bowl's fate attended a bowl-sponsored retreat that included free meals, resort rooms and golf outings.
