Mission [Not Yet] Accomplished

The poor saps who wrote Death to the BCS said their book is bound for the clearance bin. Yes, the Cartel and Presidential Oversight Committee have finally agreed to a playoff, but we still have a long way to go. I celebrate the initial victory by looking at this new system that has yet to see all the wrinkles ironed out.

Other than the fact that they expanded to some sort of playoff, I'm not a huge fan of this new system in terms of how it's implemented. With the system as is currently envisioned I think it is a decent Band-Aid. With 4 teams I can live with the semifinals being played within the context of the current BCS bowls but for the future plan I still want the higher seeded teams in the playoffs to host the games up through the title game.

I'm for a selection committee as well, at least in theory. The scenario I fear has several big conference big wigs on the committee and their potential to be biased towards the power conference schools as opposed to the mid majors who have long threatened the money grab. Everyone deserves an equal shot at these playoffs and the committee needs to take this into account. By design strength of schedule will (unfortunately) tilt towards the bigger schools, but we can't see unbeaten schools get left out without a VERY GOOD reason.

The reason I critique this proposed revamp is because there are still too many holes. I have long been and continue to be for a 16 team playoff. I agree that of those 16, probably only 4 a year would have a realistic shot at a title.

That argument from people in favor of the status quo or the revamp continues to be a big thorn in the side of playoff pundits like me, but their continued argument about the "sanctity "of the regular season baffles me. This past season already ruined the "sanctity" of the regular season. Regardless of whether or not LSU and Alabama were the best two teams (in a vacuum, makes sense), Bama got a shot in the regular season and couldn't take advantage... and because they were so close (plus a tough road double overtime loss by Oklahoma State) they got a rematch.

And that's part of why a playoff is so important. I don't mind a rematch for a national title... as long as the participants earn their way there by playing some of the best teams that season. Take the 11 conference champions and fill the bracket with other deserving teams. Every undefeated team will automatically get in by virtue of the conference champions provision except the Notre Dame's of the FBS, but would get in on my watch regardless for running the table. Most, if not all the at large bids will likely be big conference teams anyway, though not always.

There will be debate and bitterness, sure. But primarily using conference champions means the regular season matters- for everyone. Right now a mid major could go 11-1 and they'd get left out for not beating anyone of significance and for their one loss. In the current system, "Every game counts", except it really doesn't. Even out of conference games will retain importance as they can really help with seeding. And since my ideal system rewards the best teams with home field for one or two or even three weeks, what incentive would teams have for not running the table? Say Ohio State is 11-0 going into its last game against Michigan and no other team has fewer than 2 losses. OSU is pretty much assured of a berth in the B1G title game, but they're playing Michigan. Why throw that game? Why would LSU or Alabama rest guys against each other? Or Texas and Oklahoma? I don't see the NFL pattern of resting guys happening. If you can leave no doubt that you're a #1 seed, take advantage of that opening and guarantee games at your campus for as long as you're in the playoffs until the title game, not to mention likely facing the Sun Belt (or similar conference) champion right away, all but a guaranteed early win.

The revolution is not yet done. We have a rough concept of what we want, but it will take time before it fully takes shape. Support your teams, but yearn for a day when we finally have a fair system to determine a battle tested champion.