锘? What a welcome story that would be to NCAA football fans around the country. Sometime in the near future it should happen. But for now Cool Base Reds Jersey , the national champion is decided in large part by computers instead of on the field. For this dream to come true, there are a few obstacles to overcome.
Few, if any, college football seasons have not involved some heated debate over which teams deserve to play for the national title since the BCS was implemented. And it's the same old story this season. To be sure, Ohio State and Florida are deserving. But is anyone certain Michigan couldn't beat both of them on a neutral field?
And what about the Big 12 champion Oklahoma? The rankings show a pair of losses. However, officials were publicly reprimanded and an apology issued to Oklahoma because of a blown call that resulted in an Oklahoma loss. A case could be made for a one loss Oklahoma team deserving a shot at the national title.
How about the Broncos of Boise State? Does anyone honestly think the Broncos would have a chance to beat college football's elite programs? We'll never know for sure and that's a shame. And for those who are quick to dismiss the Broncos allegedly inferior schedule, have you so quickly forotten George Mason's march to the Final Four by beating such recent NCAA championsip teams as Michigan State Zack Cozart FlexBase Jersey , North Carolina, and Connecticut?
That's the beauty of a playoff or tournament system. The champion is decided on the field - or the court - not by a computer. OK, technically the result of the game between Ohio State and Florida will be decided on the field, but the BCS picked those two teams. The participants were not decided on the field as they are in every other form of organized football from high school to the lower divisions of college football to the NFL. The main point is that almost every year, there are more than 2 teams who ought to be included in the mix to determine that year's national champion. And the same is true this year. Is there a better solution than letting the players decide the outcome on the field? No.
The biggest roadblocks are big business and tradition. College football players may be amateurs but college football is big business. The schools, the NCAA, and the major bowls rake in billions of dollars annually so don't expect them to forfeit profits for the the best interests of college football. No good business person would readily get off the gravy train? And the good news is that they don't have to. The major bowls can be worked into the playoff system.
You take 8 teams and pit them against each other in the 4 major bowl games. These games will be played January 1st and 2nd. Ideally Tony Perez FlexBase Jersey , they would be played sooner but there is just no way around the tradition of bowl games on New Year's Day.
The 8 teams are the following. The champions of the BCS conferences - ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, Pac 10, SEC - get the first 6 spots. Any other undefeated Division I teams - like Boise State - would get the next spots. I can't remember it happening, but it there are more than 2 other undefeated Division I teams Reggie Sanders FlexBase Jersey , the two with the highest BCS rankings get the final two spots. The other(s) are out.
Any remaining spots go to the highest ranked teams that are not already in the mix - i.e. Michigan. So this years final 8 would be: Ohio State, Florida, USC, Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Louisville, Boise State Pete Rose FlexBase Jersey , and Michigan. Matchups would be determined based on BCS rankings similar to the NCAA basketball tournament.
What fan wouldn't look forward to watching: Ohio St. vs Wake Forest, Florida vs Oklahoma, USC vs Boise State, and Michigan vs Lousville playing meaningful games over the New Years Holidays.
A week later, seeded on BCS rankings, the 4 winners would play for a spot in the championship game. The venues would be two of the sites of the 4 major bowl games and would rotate each year. The Final Four games, assuming the favorites won the first round games Ken Griffey FlexBase Jersey , would feature: Ohio St vs USC and Florida vs Michigan.
Finally, a week later at one of the two major bowl sites that didn't host a semi-final game, the champion is crowned on the field. With a total of 7 games: 4 first round, 2 Final Four, and 1 National Championship game, each site would host 2 games 3 out of every 4 years on a rotating basis. That means more revenue to put a smile on the face of big business.
Are there more issues and challenges? Too many games? Student-athletes missing too much school? Remember when the major bowl games were all played on January st? When big business discovered they could make more money spreading the games out over a week, it miraculously happened and the NCAA let it happen.
The playoff system would stretch out only week past the current BCS schedule and only for teams. One additional game Johnny Bench FlexBase Jersey , the BCS Championship Game on January 8th, has already been created especially for the BCS. What's the problem with adding 2 more games?
Who are the big winners under this playoff system? The players and fans are winners. More teams have a chance to win the championship and it is decided on the field. And finally, the NCAA, the universities, and big business are winners. Contrary to what anyone says publicly it's all about the money and a playoff system that creates more interest in more games means higher ratings and increased revenue.
Championships should be decided on the playing surface, not by computers or polls. Is there another sport on any level incuding pee wee, high school Joey Votto FlexBase Jersey , college, and professional where the championship game participants are not determined on the playing surface. There is not.. It's completely dumbfounding.
So NCAA, big business, college & university presidents and coac锘? A happy, upcoming, and very e.
