College Football Playoff

[Westley]

I've seen a lot of articles (more than usual) regarding a CFB playoff and why we need one. The thing that seems weird is that it seems to me like nobody even mentions that the schools are moving toward it on their own. I mean, you could argue that they need to move faster (people in Ann Arbor have a right to make such an argument), but they added an NC game that is a week after all the bowl games already, is it not obvious to everybody that in about four years they are going to say "Hey, let's decide who plays in the NC game AFTER all the bowl games are over, and we can pick from the winners of the bowl games" which essentially will become a four-team playoff. Then, if they want to add from that, it's really not that hard, basketball adds to their tournament ever couple decades.

[Bison]

I really hope you're right. I liken this to the WNBA having a team (the CT Sun) with such an obvious link to a casino, paving the way for the NBA to have a Vegas team in the near future.

The problem is, the assumption is that a "+1" addition will fix everything. I guarantee we'll have a situation in a couple years that will render the "+1" idea as still being insufficient.

[LifeAct]

Originally Posted by Irish Blues

The problem is, the assumption is that a "+1" addition will fix everything. I guarantee we'll have a situation in a couple years that will render the "+1" idea as still being insufficient.

You are exactly right here. The BCS looked pretty good for a couple of years.

[schleprock]

Originally Posted by LifeAct

You are exactly right here. The BCS looked pretty good for a couple of years.

Actually, I think most people calling for a "+1" setup don't assume it will fix everything. Only that 1) it will be better than what's in place now, and 2) that it'll (hopefully) be a stepping stone to a more legitimate playoff system.

Same thing with the BCS. I think there was general agreement that it was better than the old system, under which #1 would only sometimes play #2. But at the same time, only the most short-sighted ever thought it was the answer to all of college football's problems.

[Eaglet82]

I thought the "+1" setup was a revenue thing. The BCS figures it can get the same amount of money for the 4 BCS bowls, why not add one more "Big Game" to the mix.

[Judge Dredd]

I think this article on yahoo.com sports in response to reader's comments was pretty good in relation to some of the discussions we've had on here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_...yhoo&type=lgns

my personal favorite:

This will be the death of the bowl system. How many Ohio State fans would travel to see Ohio State play Wake Forest, then Arkansas, then LSU, if they knew down the road they could go to Arizona and play Florida?
Everyone says it works in I-AA, but they forget they don't pack 50,000 to watch a quarterfinal game, either. You are going to have blowouts when No. 16 plays No. 1. If this is going to work, don't go past eight teams. But wait, what happens to the team that is No. 9?
Leave it alone. It gives you guys something to write about in December.
Ross Montelbano
Shreveport, La.
You don't think Ohio State fans would show up for a playoff game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus? I think a few might come. Bowl games are private businesses, outside of the NCAA. Why college football feels an obligation to keep them afloat is beyond me. The playoff games should be played at the on-campus site of the higher seed until at least the semifinals, if not the finals. Most bowls would not be impacted by the loss of the top eight or even top-16 teams. Let them stage their games if they want. At most, the bottom four to eight bowls might shut down for lack of teams. But really, are we refusing to stage a playoff system so the Poinsettia Bowl can exist? There is no logical reason to incorporate bowls into the playoff structure. None.

Of course, that said, I no longer live in columbus, and I am more than happy to go to Glendale to watch them in the final.

[LifeAct]

Originally Posted by Judge Dredd

I think this article on yahoo.com sports in response to reader's comments was pretty good in relation to some of the discussions we've had on here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_...yhoo&type=lgns

my personal favorite:

Of course, that said, I no longer live in columbus, and I am more than happy to go to Glendale to watch them in the final.

The bowls may be private companies but the NCAA is a major stakeholder in them. They generate a lot of money for the schools that are in them. I agree with having the playoff and also bowl games for the also-rans, however I don't think that they are going to ignore the current bowl structure because they are privately owned.

[MikeTheTiger]

Here's a link to a playoff format that I developed for a sports fan site I run. I'd love your thoughts.

Division I-A Playoff Scenario

[Nutty Buddy]

Originally Posted by MikeTheTiger

Here's a link to a playoff format that I developed for a sports fan site I run. I'd love your thoughts.

Division I-A Playoff Scenario

I think your inclusion of any non-top-10 undefeateds is a good idea. I'd like to see <16 teams so fewer games (12 - some get first-round byes?) but if you keep that you need all 16. Schedule should be pushed earlier - why not eliminate that 12th game the NCAA added this year and just play the first few rounds right after the season ends? Then anyone not progressing in the playoffs can still be eligible for a bowl game. The top 4 can play bookend games, one on New Year's Eve before Bowl Week starts and then one about a week later, say Jan 7 for the Championship. May delay some bowl bids for early losers, but who cares?