[More Cowbell]

Okay, I have kept quiet about this long enough. I see two arguments coming from the Pikeville fans. One is absolutely true, and the other is flat wrong.

First, that only Pikeville and Belfry deserve to play in the bowl. This is correct. Looking at each school's football history, only these two have the cachet to be considered "marquee" teams. If you want to go back to having just those two host two out-of-area teams, that's fine with me. I don't think any level-headed SV or PC fans would pretend that their programs are on the same level as Pikeville, much less Belfry. And to the people pushing PC as the headliner, a couple of good years does not qualify. I remember just a few years ago, Valley was clearly the better team of the two for about a 3-4 year period. But neither program has demonstrated sustained success. So, if it goes back to Pikeville and Belfry, I have no problem with that.

Second, is that allowing the county schools to play is what has caused the bowl to lose its luster. This is false. Just because the other county schools are playing what could be considered a "leadoff match" before the main game, does not affect who is playing the main event. It's not like Lafayette or Beechwood is going to say, "Well, we would have come to play in the PCB, but since we found out that SV and ER would be playing a game before us, we aren't coming now." That is just a ridiculous assertion, and has no logic behind it. Why would they care what goes on before their game? They wouldn't. There is some reason why the PCB has not been able to attract as many big names in recent years, but the other county schools are not to blame.

In short, give the other schools the boot from the PCB. They haven't earned the right to play in it. But don't expect that big-name teams are going to suddenly be falling over each other to come play once you do.