A Dude Proposes a Playoff

This is no different from any other argument going on all over the country.  It's an annual rite when college football fans trash the BCS and propose how things REALLY should work.

The fact is, you can't get a consensus.  Even two people who agree on a correct number (3 teams, 4 teams, etc) will disagree on some point.  And the conferences are changing so rapidly, it is hard to come up with a qualifying criteria.  Nevertheless, it is always an interesting exercise to simply take a look at the way things ended and what games you could arrange, were you the czar of college football.

I should also mention, I don't really have a dog in the fight this year.  I do think it will be a shame if Alabama wins because it would seem to me like the issue was unsettled.  I am also of the opinion that LSU would SMOKE OSU and I'd really like to see that happen.  Without further adieu, here is what we COULD have if we had a playoff system.

FOUR TEAMS
Every year is different but this year, the way things have worked out, a four team playoff would be a nice fit, leaving the #5 team, Oregon, without much of an argument.  One of the things I like to consider is whether the last team allowed in a scenario has a comparable year to the top two teams.  Does Stanford (4) have comparable merit to Alabama (2)?  Since they both have one loss and both play in major conferences, I think so.  Stanford v LSU and OSU v Alabama would be very compelling matchups.  I doubt either game would be close, but at least we'd answer the questions everybody is asking.

SIX TEAMS
Four may be ideal this year but if you think back to some other seasons, you generally have 2-3 undefeateds.  Or none.  And a number of teams, seemingly deserving of a chance, who only have ONE loss.  A six team playoff rewards the top two teams by giving them a bye.  This year, it would have given us HALF the SEC West!  Ark vs. OSU in a game that might have been 60 - 59.  Stanford v Oregon.  Uh-oh.  Now we have an issue.  To avoid rematches, you might have to put a caveat in there.  OSU to play Oregon and Stanford to play Arkansas.  (see, these are the things that come up).  Assuming higher seeds win, you would have the same Final 4 as above.

EIGHT TEAMS
This is my personal favorite.  Not because I think the #8 team is usually deserving of a shot but because the WORST part about the system is leaving a team out that has a comparable year to the top 2 teams.  I would rather allow a team or two (in this case, admittedly, four) a shot that may not meet the comparable eye test than deny a deserving team an opportunity.  Plus, LSU v Kansas State means LSU rolls and probably gets to rest their starters :)  Bama v Boise also very compelling although a blowout for sure.  OSU v Arkansas and Stanford / Oregon.  There's that problem again.  Oh well, no system is perfect!