Can We Get A Playoff Now?

[malakim2099]

Okay, two reasons why I think we should have one... and I know with the monetary talons that are in the hearts of the University presidents, we WON'T get one, but still, a plea has to be made (and I have a penchant for tilting at windmills, so sue me):

1. Everything else is decided on the field. Literally, Division I-A football is the only sport that they let computers and polling dictate the national champion. Even lower division college football can do it without a problem! Why not have an 8 or 12 team playoff system that consumes most of the existing bowls? Especially since...

2. This "playoff system starts in September is unmitigated ####". Look, if the BCS existed since the dawn of time, there would be a LOT of champions that proved themselves (BYU comes to mind) that would never even qualify because they aren't in a "good" conference. Heck, Hawaii might not even break through, and so far they are undefeated and the WAC champions. But even if Hawaii busts in with an at-large, they can't play for the title... which is a darn shame.

Bottom line: computers and polls shouldn't determine the national champ. That is determined on the field of play. And no, I'm not a LSU fan, or an Oregon fan, or whatever. I root for the second-worst team in the country (Go Aggies!), so I can safely say I have no emotional stake in my team being screwed or not. :p

[theanalogkid]

Tell me how the Mizzou/ Kansas game wasn't a playoff. Or last year's Michigan/Ohio State game.

[malakim2099]

Tell me how the Mizzou/ Kansas game wasn't a playoff. Or last year's Michigan/Ohio State game.

Technically, it was. For the Big 12/Big 10. :p

But how does a Top 8 system based on the BCS diminish either of those games? Odds are, the loser falls out of the top 8 BCS teams, and thus is no longer a factor for a playoff system.

[spiderman9797]

I agree wholeheartedly. A 12-team or 16-team playoff system would be great.

I mean sure, LSU and USC both more losses than Missouri. But that doesn't mean that they should be in the championship picture. It just shouldn't.

Another thing that bothers me a lot is that late-season losses are SO much more important than early-season losses, and if it's going to be that way might as well make a playoff system.

[drzoidberg1599]

If we had a playoff system Ohio state would have no chance of getting to the National Championship game. They play an easy schedule then get crushed in the meaningful games. Michigan was not a meaningful game. You should beat anyone who loses to Appalachian state. All you upset Ohio fans just remember last year. And no im not a Gators fan. I actually like the coughhurricanescough.

[spiderman9797]

Well then that makes it for a good national championship, instead of one where we have a number or 2 ranked team who plays nobody against another team that plays against hard opponents.

A playoff system weeds out the weak teams that happen to be highly ranked.

[malakim2099]

Well, my idea is basically a top 12, really... with the top 4 getting a bye.

So here would be the first week matchups based on the latest BCS standings:

(5) Kansas v. (12) Hawaii - Winner plays (4) Georgia
(6) Va Tech v. (11) BC - Winner plays (3) Ohio State
(7) LSU v. (10) Florida - Winner plays (2) West Virginia
(8) USC v. (9) Oklahoma - Winner plays (1) Missouri

I think those games are a TOUCH more interesting than Southeastern Arkansas Vo-Tech v. Grambling. ;)

[theanalogkid]

In your system, the missouri/Kansas game had no meaning because both are in the playoff. No system is perfect, but I like College Football's uniqueness. Give me Missouri/ West Virginia!

[malakim2099]

In your system, the missouri/Kansas game had no meaning because both are in the playoff. No system is perfect, but I like College Football's uniqueness. Give me Missouri/ West Virginia!

Brokenness, you mean. And there is a meaning in the bracket system I had. It's called "first round bye", which can be quite a big deal. ;)

So does this mean that the NFL regular season is meaningless? The NBA? MLB? College basketball? NHL? According to your logic, they would be... which I never felt was the case.

[absolutvt69]

Well, my idea is basically a top 12, really... with the top 4 getting a bye.

So here would be the first week matchups based on the latest BCS standings:

(5) Kansas v. (12) Hawaii - Winner plays (4) Georgia
(6) Va Tech v. (11) BC - Winner plays (3) Ohio State
(7) LSU v. (10) Florida - Winner plays (2) West Virginia
(8) USC v. (9) Oklahoma - Winner plays (1) Missouri

I think those games are a TOUCH more interesting than Southeastern Arkansas Vo-Tech v. Grambling. ;)

A playoff would be ideal but it's not happening any time soon. One thing that I've always seen as a sticking point for a playoff is the location of the games (would they be home games, neutral fields, etc.) and the fate of the bowls (do we fold them into the playoffs somehow, get rid of them altogether).

And remember even if we get a playoff there will still be controversy... a team will get left out that will feel like it should be in which is pretty much what we have now. So no system is going to be perfect but yeah a playoff is a much more logical way to do things.

I think one of the most uneven things about Div I college football is that some teams play a championship game while others don't. How is it fair that Missouri has to play Oklahoma again simply because their conference has a championship game while a team like Ohio State gets to just sit at home and watch teams ahead of it lose. Either all conferences should have championship games or none of them especially when who plays for the national championship is decided by polls and computers.