Block U, a Utah Utes community

The BCS recently agreed to a four-year, $500-million contract with ESPN to televise BCS bowl games starting in January 2011. ESPN negotiated with the understanding the present format would not change, and officials have said publicly they would not try to force a playoff. The Mountain West is seeking change in part because one of its member schools, Utah, finished 13-0 last season but did not qualify for the BCS title game. Utah finished No. 6 in the final BCS standings and watched No. 2 Florida defeat No. 1 Oklahoma to win the BCS championship at Dolphin Stadium. The Utes defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and ended up No. 2 in the final Associated Press poll. The BCS is composed of 11 conferences and independent Notre Dame. The six conferences with automatic qualifier status are the Pacific 10, Southeastern, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East.